Inside News

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Radiation Oncology
54 Inside News
Workforce Concerns
There is ongoing concern among
current and recently graduated
trainees in regards to future job
security. This growing sentiment
may be one of the driving factors for
trainees who have taken up alternative
pathways away from radiation
oncology. This is a priority issue for
the ROTC and is similarly on the radar
of multiple College committees. The
Economics and Workforce Committee
will be conducting a survey this year
to tease out the specific details
of the employment statuses for
recent graduates. This information
will be crucial if measures are to
be implemented to protect current
trainees and future Fellows of the
College.
Important dates for 2016
Please be sure to diarise the dates
below. Good luck to those trainees
sitting the upcoming Phase 2
examinations. Don’t miss out on the
Phase 1 and 2 Foundation and Exam
Preparation Courses.
Dr Gina Hesselberg
Chair, Radiation Oncology Trainees
Committee
TROG Cancer
Research
2016 promises to be another
eventful and fruitful year for
Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology
Group (TROG) Cancer Research
Our 28th Annual Scientific Meeting
was held at Brisbane Convention and
Exhibition Centre earlier this month.
The TROG 2016 ASM theme was: ‘Value
for Money in Oncology Research’ and
provided a unique opportunity for
health professionals with an interest
in radiation oncology to engage in
learning, networking and collaboration.
The meeting featured subspecialty
group sessions, as well as the return
of our full-day, interactive research
workshops, which were well received.
Planning has been underway for a TROG
Consumer Advisory Panel. A Consumer
Training Workshop will be held in April
2016 to provide training on the basics
of radiation therapy and clinical trials, as
well as involvement in the TROG Board,
Scientific Committee, cancer advocacy,
fundraising or by sharing their own
cancer journey.
From the discussions on these topics
during the workshop, TROG will
develop online consumer learning
modules. These modules will be used
in conjunction with the Cancer Australia
eLearning website to provide relevant
information to all consumers interested
in radiation oncology clinical trials.
Earlier this year we farewelled our Chief
Financial Officer, Mark Rembish. Mark
has been an integral member of the
group for the past three years and we
wish him all the best. We have now
welcomed our new TROG Financial
Controller and Company Secretary,
Andrew Jenkins, to the team. Andrew
will manage TROG’s finances and is
a part of the executive management
team preparing forecasts and budgets,
assisting in the allocation of resources
and strategic planning.
We have also welcomed back Melissa
Crain to the role of TROG QA and Grants
Manager, following her maternity leave.
We are excited to announce our newest
fundraising event which will be launched
in May 2016. Art4TROG—an exhibition
supporting TROG Cancer Research,
which will feature a diverse collection of
works from established and emerging
Hunter artists who have been touched by
cancer. Opening night will be on Friday 6
May 2016 at Newcastle Art Space gallery.
For further details and to purchase tickets
visit
Important Dates 2016
Phase 2 Examination
Series 1
Written Examinations: took place in February
VIVA Examinations: Wednesday 6 April, Thursday 7 April and Friday 8 April 2016
Vivas Location: Wellington Hospital, New Zealand
Applications Closed: Friday 11 December 2015
Phase 2 Examination Preparation Course
Friday 13 May to Sunday 15 May 2016
(See page 31 for more detail)
Phase 1 Foundation and Examination Preparation Course
Thursday 16 June to Sunday 19 June 2016
(See page 31 for more detail)
Phase 2 Examination
Series 2
Written Examinations: Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July 2016
VIVA Examinations: Wednesday 31 August, Thursday 1 Sept and Friday 2 Sept 2016
Vivas Location: Townsville Hospital, Queensland
Applications close: Friday 20 May 2016
Phase 1 Examination
Friday 9 September 2016
Applications close: Friday 22 July 2016