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ACMUI Membership

The ACMUI membership includes health care professionals from various disciplines. Although the composition of the ACMUI can fluctuate somewhat, it generally includes a nuclear medicine physician; nuclear cardiologist; medical physicist in nuclear medicine unsealed byproduct material; a therapy physicist; a radiation safety officer; a nuclear pharmacist; at least one radiation oncologist; a patients' rights advocate; a Food and Drug Administration representative; a State representative; and a health care administrator.

Membership in ACMUI is gained through a formal nomination and selection process. To fill vacancies on the ACMUI, the NRC staff publishes a notice in the Federal Register requesting nominations from interested parties. After receipt of nominations, the NRC staff convenes a selection panel consisting of NRC employees and a person who is a non-NRC Federal employee. This non-NRC Federal employee is always a professional who specializes in the vacancy to be filled. The selection panel then evaluates each nominee, and sends a recommendation to the Commission. The Commission reviews the recommendation and gives the NRC staff final approval to add the recommended selectee to the ACMUI.

Appointments to ACMUI are for three-year terms. If approved, appointees can elect to serve up to two consecutive terms, for a maximum of six years.

The current members of the ACMUI are

Bruce R. Thomadsen, Ph.D., Medical Physicist, Radiation Therapy

William Van Decker, M.D., Nuclear Cardiologist

Leon S. Malmud, M.D., Health Care Administrator, Chairman

Subir Nag, M.D., Radiation Oncologist

Douglas F. Eggli, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician

Sally W. Schwarz, R.Ph., Nuclear Pharmacist

Richard J. Vetter, Ph.D., Radiation Safety Officer, Vice Chairman

Ralph P. Lieto, Medical Physicist, Nuclear Medicine

James S. Welsh, M.D., Radiation Oncologist

Darrell R. Fisher, Ph.D., Patient's Rights Advocate

Bruce R. Thomadsen, Ph.D.

Bruce R. Thomadsen, Ph.D., serves the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) as the medical physicist in radiation therapy expert.  Dr. Thomadsen was appointed to the ACMUI in the spring of 2007.

Dr. Thomadsen is board certified by the American Board of Radiology in radiological physics, the American Board of Health Physics in comprehensive health physics, and the American Board of Medical Physics in radiation oncology physics.  He holds an undergraduate degree in physics and political science from the University of Michigan, a master of science in physics from Michigan State University, and a master’s and Ph.D. in medical physics from the University of Wisconsin.  Dr. Thomadsen was a resident in radiological physics at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Dr. Thomadsen served as a medical physicist at Hurley Hospital, in Flint, Michigan and St. Barnabas Medical Center, in Short Hills, New Jersey, before going to the University of Wisconsin, where he has worked since 1975, except for one year (1985-86) on exchange with Copenhagen County Hospital in Demark.  At the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Thomadsen has served as the chair of the University Radiation Safety Committee since 1992 and has been very active in clinical service, research, and teaching.

Service to professional societies has been an important part of Dr. Thomadsen’s career, and he was made a fellow of the American Association of Physicist in Medicine (AAPM).  He has served on and chaired many AAPM committees, including the Radiation Safety Committee.  He has also been active in the American Brachytherapy Society and served on panels for the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measures and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement.  Dr. Thomadsen has been active in the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs and with the American Board of Radiology both as and examiner and with the maintenance of certificate program.

Brachytherapy physics has been one of the main areas of Dr. Thomadsen’s research, but he has also been involved in research on quality assurance and patient safety, as well as dosimetry for external-beam radiotherapy.

Leon S. Malmud, M.D.

Leon S. Malmud, M.D., is the health care administrator representative to the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). The Commission appointed Dr. Malmud to ACMUI in the spring of 2001. Dr. Malmud was appointed Chair of the ACMUI on November 15, 2004.

Dr. Malmud earned both an undergraduate degree, B.S. in electrical engineering, as well as his medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Following medical school, Dr. Malmud completed an internship at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and was then a resident in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He served as a Captain in the United States Air Force at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, where he practiced psychiatry. Dr. Malmud then completed a residency in medicine at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed a two-year fellowship in nuclear medicine in the department of radiology at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Malmud has been board certified in nuclear medicine since 1973.

During his career, Dr. Malmud has held a wide range of academic and clinical positions. These include his current role as dean emeritus, Temple University School of Medicine, where he is also the Herbert M. Stauffer Professor of Diagnostic Imaging and Professor of Medicine. During the previous 14 years, Dr. Malmud was the president and CEO of Temple University Health System, CEO of Temple University Hospital, senior vice president for the Health Sciences (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, nursing, PT, and OT), and also served concurrently as dean of medicine for the last five years. In addition, Dr. Malmud has served Temple University extensively in several health care-related administrative positions, previously including the Professional Affairs Committee; Patient Care Committee; Impaired Physician Program; Ethics Committee; and Admissions Committee of the School of Medicine.

With respect to professional society functions, Dr. Malmud continues to participate extensively. A sampling of societies of which he has and/or continues to be active include the American College of Nuclear Physicians (Fellow); American College of Nuclear Medicine (Fellow); American College of Radiology; American Roentgen Ray Society; and the Society of Nuclear Medicine in which he successively served as president, and remains a trustee.

Dr. Malmud has contributed extensively to the peer-reviewed literature and has served as editor and/or reviewer of publications such as the American Journal of Physiologic Imaging, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Pediatrics. He has also received acclaim for his contributions to medicine as the recipient of such awards as the Doctor of Humane Letters at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine; the Health Care Heroes Award by the Philadelphia Business Journal; three Gold Medals from the Society of Nuclear Medicine, and the Berson-Yalow Award for his scientific contributions.

Finally, Dr. Malmud serves on several nonprofit boards, including religious organizations and the Southeastern Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Subir Nag, M.D.

Subir Nag, M.D., serves as one of the radiation oncologist physicians on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). He was appointed to ACMUI in the spring of 2000.

Dr. Nag received his medical degree at the All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi. After completing an internship at the All India Institute, he completed a residency in radiotherapy at Montefiore Hospital in New York. Dr. Nag also completed some postgraduate fellowships in radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and hyperthermia research. He completed the radiotherapy and brachytherapy fellowships at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, while the hyperthermia research fellowship was completed at the Cancer Research Institute in Aarhus, Denmark. Moreover, Dr. Nag is certified in therapeutic radiology by the American Board of Radiology.

Dr. Nag's clinical and academic endeavors include several staff positions at hospitals in Tennessee and Ohio and various academic positions at major universities in New York, Tennessee, and Ohio. He has developed several curricula in brachytherapy education; taught numerous courses in radiotherapy, radiobiology, and clinical radiation oncology; and organized and served as a key participant in comprehensive brachytherapy symposia.

Regarding literary contributions, Dr. Nag has served as editor, reviewer, and/or co-author of numerous professional journals and as editor and/or co-author of numerous books and book chapters. He has also been granted several awards, been active on many committees and boards, and served as a consultant to a prestigious agency. His awards include the Best Doctors in America award for expertise in brachytherapy and the Commitment to Hope Award for outstanding patient care. A sample of committees and boards he served on include chairperson of the Clinical Research Committee of the American Brachytherapy Society; and member, Board of Directors at the American Endocurietherapy Society. Finally, Dr. Nag served as an advisor and consultant in brachytherapy to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.

Douglas F. Eggli, M.D.

Douglas F. Eggli, M.D., is the nuclear physician representative on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). The Commission appointed Dr. Eggli to ACMUI in the spring of 2002. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. Currently, he is chief, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Penn State University.

Dr. Eggli earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry and mathematics from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, and a medical degree from the University of Chicago. After earning his medical degree, Dr. Eggli trained at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he completed both an internship and partial residency in internal medicine, as well as a full residency in diagnostic radiology, and a fellowship in nuclear medicine.

Following his fellowship, Dr. Eggli remained at Walter Reed where he was appointed as a staff nuclear medicine physician. Successive appointments include assistant chief, Nuclear Medicine Service, and pediatric nuclear medicine physician.

With respect to academic and literary endeavors, Dr. Eggli has served as a professor of radiology at three universities: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; Penn State University Hospital, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and currently serves as associate professor of radiology at Pennsylvania State University. Furthermore, he has functioned as a visiting professor at such institutions as Letterman Army Medical Center, the University of Florida, and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Moreover, Dr. Eggli has edited several renowned professional journals (Journal of Urology, Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Applied Radiology, etc.) and several book chapters and has lectured extensively at major medical meetings across the United States and Canada.

Dr. Eggli has participated in a variety of capacities in several professional societies. A sharply abbreviated sampling includes the Society of Nuclear Medicine (Executive Committee, Mid-Eastern Chapter); the American Board of Radiology (Board Examiner on several occasions); and the Society for Pediatric Radiology (member).

Research activities are a prominent feature of Dr. Eggli's professional career. He has conducted research at several notable institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; DuPont-Merck Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Delaware; and Penn State University Hospital, Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Sally W. Schwarz, R. Ph.

Sally W. Schwarz is a board certified nuclear pharmacist serving as the nuclear pharmacy expert for the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). Ms. Schwarz was appointed to the ACMUI in the spring of 2000.

Ms. Schwarz received her bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Iowa, and a master of science in radiopharmacy from the University of Southern California.

Following her graduate education, Ms. Schwarz served as a researcher and held academic positions. Her research experience includes a position as research associate in nuclear medicine and radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri; instructor experience includes positions with the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and with the School of Allied Health Professions, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, Ms. Schwarz has co-authored several journal articles in prestigious professional journals such as Nuclear Radiology , and the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Moreover, she co-authored several book chapters.

Regarding clinical experience, Ms. Schwarz has held several positions. These include a number of staff pharmacist positions in Iowa, Colorado, and Missouri; and nuclear pharmacist staff positions at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Currently, Ms. Schwarz serves as a research scientist in radiology at Washington University.

With respect to certifications and service to professional societies, Ms. Schwarz is board certified in nuclear pharmacy by the American Pharmaceutical Association. She is active in the American Pharmaceutical Association, the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Society of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and Biology, and the Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Richard J. Vetter, Ph.D.

Richard J. Vetter, Ph.D., is the radiation safety officer representative on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). He was appointed to ACMUI in the spring of 2000.

After receiving both his undergraduate and graduate education at the South Dakota State University, Dr. Vetter earned his Ph.D. in health physics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He went on to serve as professor in numerous academic positions at Purdue University and Mayo Medical School. He also serves as the radiation safety officer for Mayo Clinic. His academic endeavors resulted in the receipt of several awards, to include the Mayo Clinic's Radiography Program Faculty Award for Best Teacher (awarded four separate years) and Purdue University's Distinguished Alumnus, School of Pharmacal Sciences award.

Dr. Vetter has and continues to be a prolific contributor to professional society activities, serving on numerous committees and often holding office. An extremely abbreviated listing of offices includes president, Health Physics Society and president, Mayo Foundation Chapter Sigma Xi. An abbreviated listing of committee activities includes the American Board of Health Physics (Board of Directors); the Health Physics Society (the Admissions Committee, the Chair of the Continuing and General Education Committee, and the Scientific and Public Issues Committee); and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (Board of Directors, Scientific Committee, and Nominating Committee).

In conclusion, Dr. Vetter has also made substantial contributions to literary endeavors. He is the author or coauthor of more than 180 literary works, and has served as reviewer for such prestigious publications as the Health Physics Journal, the Journal of Applied Physiology, and the American Council on Science and Health.

Ralph P. Lieto

Mr. Ralph P. Lieto is the medical physics in nuclear medicine expert representative for the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). Mr. Lieto was appointed to ACMUI in the fall of 2001.

Mr. Lieto was educated at the University of Michigan, where he earned both his bachelor of science and master of science degrees in nuclear engineering. Later, he completed a radiological physics residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Furthermore, Mr. Lieto holds a double certification by the American Board in Radiology in Medical Nuclear Physics and the American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine in Physics and Instrumentation.

Professionally, Mr. Lieto has served as a radiological physicist and as a radiation safety officer. Currently, he is Radiation Safety Officer for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Among Mr. Lieto's professional endeavors are a faculty position as an adjunct assistant professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine; numerous presentations at professional society functions and industry locations; membership in several professional societies; and appointments to several committees. Some societies with which he has actively participated are the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM); the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the American College of Radiology, Michigan Radiological Society, and the Health Physics Society. Some notable committee appointments include the Human Rights Committee and Radiation Safety Committee (Henry Ford Hospital); the Health Physics Society's Intersociety Liaison Committee; the Legislation and Regulation Committee (chairman), the Radiation Protection Committee (chairman), and Board of Directors for the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

William Van Decker, M.D.

William Arthur Van Decker is the nuclear cardiology physician representative to the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI).

Dr. Van Decker graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. degree in biology from Fairfield University in Fairfield , Connecticut , and attended the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington , D.C. After attendance at Georgetown , he completed an internship, a residency in internal medicine, and a fellowship in cardiology, all at Temple University Hospital , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania.

Dr. Van Decker holds board certifications in internal medicine, and in cardiovascular diseases. He has been designated a diplomate by the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology, and the National Board of Echocardiography.

Dr. Van Decker's professional experience includes positions at Drexel University College as the Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology; Director, Nuclear Cardiology; Assistant Professor, Radiologic Sciences; Director, Cardiology Clinic; and Associate Director, Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging. Additionally, he has served on several committees, boards, and professional societies, including Chair, Committee on Radiation Safety; Chair, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Chair, Continuing Education Committee; member, Society of Nuclear Medicine, member, American College of Physicians; member American College of Cardiology; and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, where he was a founding member.

Dr. Van Decker has contributed to abstracts of several professional publications, including the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Research, and the Journal of Investigative Medicine.

James S. Welsh , M.D.

Dr. Welsh serves as one of the radiation oncology experts on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI). He was appointed to ACMUI in the fall of 2006.

Dr. Welsh earned a masters degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University after graduating with academic distinction from Binghamton University. Dr. Welsh earned his MD at Stony Brook School of Medicine and then completed his residency training in radiation oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Following his residency, he joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins. He is currently Medical Director at the University of Wisconsin Cancer Center-Riverview in Wisconsin Rapids and a clinical associate professor of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. He is board certified in radiation oncology and has composed questions for the written board examination for several years.

His academic awards have included induction into Phi Beta Kappa and the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society. He is a fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology and was the recipient of a clinical teaching award at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center and was selected as one of America’s Top Physicians in radiation oncology.

In 2002, Dr. Welsh was the first physician to treat a patient using helical tomotherapy. In addition to his pioneering research on helical tomotherapy, he has conducted research in the physics of intensity modulated radiation therapy, radiopharmaceutical therapy, microbrachytherapy, prostate brachytherapy and dose-rate radiobiology and has authored over 130 publications. Dr. Welsh has lectured extensively locally, nationally and internationally.  He serves on the editorial board for Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment and is associate editor for the American Journal of Clinical Oncology. He presently serves on several professional committees within the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). He holds numerous leadership positions within professional societies including the 2007 Chair of the scientific program for the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO).

Darrell R. Fisher, Ph.D.

Darrell R. Fisher, Ph.D., serves as the patient's rights advocate on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI).  He was appointed to the ACMUI in February 2007. 

Dr. Fisher served previously as an assistant to the Director of the American Association of Cancer Patients.  He has served other patient-advocate organizations as a counselor to cancer patients who need to evaluate cancer treatment options.  In his professional career, he is a medical physicist with experience in the dosimetry and health effects of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnosing and treating cancer.  He survived a childhood bone tumor. 

Dr. Fisher received his Bachelor of Arts with honors in radiation biology from the University of Utah, and Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in nuclear engineering sciences from the University of Florida, with emphasis in health physics and medical physics.

Dr. Fisher is currently a senior scientist with 28 years at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington, where he leads the radioisotopes research program and serves as scientific director of the Department of Energy's isotope production program.  He previously served "on loan" to the government as science advisor to the Secretary of Energy's human radiation experiments investigative study, and recently as science advisor to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in Washington, DC.   He is an adjunct member of the radiology faculty at the University of Washington, and of the environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and English and humanities faculties at Washington State University.

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Friday, December 14, 2007