Palliative Radiotherapy: Improving Quality of Life

On April 21, 2026, the Georgian Health Physics Association hosted an online meeting featuring a presentation by Davit Sebua, Medical Physicist at the Radiation Medicine Centre, Chief Specialist at the Institute of Physics (Nuclear Department), and a certified radiation safety specialist.

The presentation addressed the role of palliative radiotherapy in oncology, with a particular focus on its application in the management of bone metastases. Emphasis was placed on pain relief and preservation of functional capacity as primary clinical objectives in palliative care.

General Safety and Biosecurity Challenges - Laboratory and Beyond

The Georgian Health Physics Association (GHPA) held its latest meeting on February 28, 2025, featuring a presentation by Anna Kekelidze, an experienced professional in biosafety, environmental protection, and health & safety management at the State Laboratory of Agriculture of Georgia.

Ms. Kekelidze provided a comprehensive overview of her professional experience, focusing on regulatory compliance, risk management, and the development of safety programs within laboratory environments. Her presentation addressed key aspects of laboratory operations, including waste management, personnel training and competency assessment, procedural reviews, and collaboration with regulatory authorities. Attendees were presented with practical examples illustrating the implementation of safety programs, inspection methodologies, and strategic planning aimed at enhancing biosecurity practices.

High-dose precision radionuclide therapy (PRnT) by direct interstitial injection: optimizing therapeutic ratios for safe and effective delivery of high-dose radionuclide therapy in treating solid tumors

On November 3, 2023, the Georgian Health Physics Association welcomed Darrell Fisher, a seasoned nuclear medicine physicist representing Versant Medical Physics & Radiation Safety, to share his groundbreaking work in precision radionuclide therapy.   Fisher received his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering sciences from the University of Florida and carried a rich legacy of a 35-year tenure as a senior scientist and the lead of the Isotope Sciences Program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. His career also showcases his role as a science advisor to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner between 2003 and 2005. Notably, Dr. Fisher has been a pivotal figure in leadership of the Health Physics Society, serving on its board of directors, as treasurer, and later as president of the society.

Dr. Darrell Fisher presents to GHPA members

Analyzing dose parameters of radiation therapy treatment planning and estimation of their influence on secondary cancer risks

The Georgian Health Physics Association (GHPA) hosted an online technical meeting on October 6, 2023, featuring Maia Topeshashvili, MS, Chief Medical Physicist from the Radiation Oncology Department at Todua Clinic.

The meeting focused on the vital topic of estimating secondary cancer risk following breast cancer radiotherapy, employing organ equivalent dose (OED) concepts. Maia Topeshashvili's presentation provided crucial insights into this subject, with detailed findings from a study involving multiple breast cancer patients.

For comprehensive details on the study's results and implications, please refer to the abstract and the full presentation YouTube recording below.

Maia Topeshashvili, Medical Physicist from Todua Clinic presenting to GHPA

Basic aspects of proton beam therapy

The monthly meeting of the Georgian Health Physics Association (GHPA) took place on September 29, 2023. At the commencement of this gathering, GHPA members were addressed by Victoria Brown, Chair of the HPS Society Support Committee. During her speech, Victoria shed light on the pivotal shift from the HPS board of directors' prior responsibility for chapter relations to the new oversight provided by members of the HPS Society Support Committee. She also spoke about the Joint IRPA-HPS nmeeting that will take place in Summer 2024. Her introductory remarks were followed by a technical presentation delivered by Beka Bochorishvili, a renowned Medical Physicist from Todua Clinic (Tbilisi, Georgia).

Participants of the GHPA Technical Meeting on September 29, 2023

Barbara Hamrick and Roy Dunker Visit Georgian Chapter

HPS president Barbara Hamrick (left) and
GHPA vice president Lia Chelidze

by Roy Dunker

It has been a few months since I last visited Tbilsi and although some time has elapsed since this October 2013 visit I want to update everyone as to what is going on with the health physics chapter there. I have a bit of history with the Georgian Health Physics Association (GHPA), and maintain contact with its members. Most of you may be more familiar with GHPA as it is often referred to as the Georgian Health Physics Chapter. Ten years ago in San Diego, Brian Dodd first suggested to a few Idaho State University health physics students from the Republic of Georgia and me that we should help form a Georgian Chapter of the Health Physics Society. Here we are, ten years later with a recognized and ever influential membership in Georgia. I want to share with you a few highlights of my most recent visit and my impressions of Georgian Health Physics at the present milestone.

U.S. Health Physics Society president-elect, Dr. Darrell R. Fisher visits GHPA

Georgian Health Physicists Observe Fifth Year With Technical Symposium in Tbilisi

Darrell R. Fisher, HPS President-elect

The Georgia Health Physics Association (GHPA) celebrated its fifth anniversary as a chapter of the Health Physics Society (HPS) with a technical symposium in Tbilisi, Georgia, 3 January 2013. HPS President-elect Darrell Fisher attended and spoke during the symposium. About 20 chapter members from the capital city of Tbilisi and surrounding areas attended the symposium. Attendees included physicians, government officials, university professors, medical physicists, and a member of the Georgian Academy of Sciences.

At the Georgia Health Physics Association technical symposium: standing, left to right, Vladimer Rusetski, George Kharashvili, Archil Kapanadze, George Ormotsadze, Alla Zedginidze, Ema Namchevadze, Samson Pagava, Levan Tkavadze, and Giorgi Nabakhtiani; sitting, left to right, Lia Chelidze, George Japaridze, Darrell Fisher, Grigol Kiknadze, and Nino Kobalia. 
Photo courtesy of Levan Tkavadze