David Richard Roesener of Dublin, Ohio is a well regarded medical physicist currently working as a radiation physicist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he has been working with the radiation oncology department since early 2014. Previously, he had served as a senior medical physicist for Global Physics Solutions based in Chicago, Illinois where he acted as the primary physicist for two centers in the Chicagoland area. He would prepare multiple centers for state audits performed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. He is also certified by the American Board of Radiology. From 2006 to 2009, David Roesener was a staff medical physicist as part of the department of radiation oncology in the Barrett Cancer Center at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. From 2005 to 2006, he served as a junior medical physicist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School.
David Roesener also has significant experience in the materials and metallurgical engineering field. He worked as a metallurgical engineering consultant for Byron Products in Fairfield, Ohio from 2003-2004, where he performed materials failure analysis investigations in addition to providing technical support and improving sales processes. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Roesener was a materials engineer for Delphi Safety and Interiors, located in Vandalia, Ohio. Prior to that, he worked as a metallurgical engineer for MQS Inspection in Cincinnati, Ohio.
David R. Roesener holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Engineering. He has also earned two Masters of Science degrees from the University of Cincinnati. The first he received in 2002 for Biomedical Engineering. The second he received in 2005 for Medical Physics. Mr. Roesener was an ASM International Committee member from 1996 to 2003. He was named ASM Outstanding Young Member in 1999. Other honors and certifications for David Roesener include the William Tholke Scholarship Award, an ongoing member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine since 2003, and has held his Professional Engineer License from the State of Ohio since 2003. In his free time, Mr. Roesener enjoys playing music, recreational sports and exercise, as well as reading in a wide variety of subjects spanning scientific works to classical literature.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in Medical Physics?
I was always drawn to the field of medicine and healthcare, particularly how technology could be used to help improve patient care. As soon as I heard about medical physics, which combines my interests in the physical sciences and biology with cutting-edge technological advances for use in treatments for cancer patients, it really stuck with me. It quickly became clear that this was the perfect career path for me and an incredible opportunity to make a difference.
- How did your background in metallurgy contribute to your career choice?
Working as a metallurgical engineer was actually quite challenging and rewarding but I felt like something wasn’t quite right – like there had to be more. That’s when my interest in medical physics began; I saw it as an opportunity to combine all my knowledge of materials science with emerging tech trends related to patient care. With material failure analysis investigations constantly popping up, having backgrounds not only in materials engineering but also biomedical engineering helped me do what no one else could at Global Physics Solutions – take on more difficult tasks such as scheduling audits or addressing any errors that occured during audits.
- How has your educational background helped you become successful?
Having two Master’s degrees (one in Biomedical Engineering and one in Medical Physics) has enabled me to understand complex medical issues which helps me provide better quality services. My experience working as a metallurgical engineer also provided invaluable knowledge about materials science which then became useful at Global Physics Solutions where I faced advanced tasks related to scheduling audits or resolving errors during audits. It is also important for any professional working in the healthcare services industry today, so continuing my education after graduating from undergrad school was certainly worthwhile.
- What advice would you give someone looking into medical physics or biomedical engineering as a potential career path?
My advice would be to research both fields extensively before committing yourself – learn more about each professions’ roles within the healthcare services industry, look up any accreditations or certifications you may need to obtain, and read up on the courses of study for each field. It’s also important to network with other professionals in the industry to get a better understanding of what life as a medical physicist or biomedical engineer is really like. Lastly, make sure that this is something that truly interests you; Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering aren’t just career paths – they’re lifestyles! If you have the passion and drive it takes to succeed in either of these fields, then you’ll be more than successful.
- What has been the most rewarding part of your career in Medical Physics?
For me, the most rewarding part of my career is seeing how much I can help people; especially cancer patients. Every day, I’m able to use my expertise and knowledge to bring life-saving treatments to those in need. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that every day I’m making a difference, however small it may be. And that makes all the hard work worth it! It’s also very rewarding to see the advancements being made in the field of medical physics; from developing new treatments, to creating new technologies and methods for delivering care. It’s an exciting time for medical physicists and I’m proud to be a part of it!
- Can you tell us about some of your most significant accomplishments since becoming involved in medical physics?
I am most proud of my efforts to increase the safety, efficiency and efficacy of radiation therapy treatments for cancer patients. During my time at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, I was able to develop three new protocols for delivering stereotactic radiosurgery treatments that were approved by the department’s clinical review committee. In addition, I developed a comprehensive quality assurance program for the radiation oncology department that enabled us to detect and identify any potential sources of errors or inconsistencies in our treatment processes.
- What motivates you to continue pushing forward in your career?
I am motivated by my commitment to ensure that all patients receive effective, safe treatments delivered by highly qualified professionals. For me, my work goes beyond simply providing treatments – I strive for continuous improvement and hope to make a meaningful contribution towards advancing medical physics research. Additionally, I believe in the power of collaboration between different disciplines and I am constantly looking for ways to work with professionals from other fields in order to develop more effective and innovative treatments for our patients. Finally, I’m motivated by the prospect of inspiring the next generation of medical physicists to continue pushing boundaries and strive for progress. Seeing others pursue their dreams and achieve success makes all my hard work worthwhile. Overall, I am driven by my passion to make a difference in people’s lives through my dedication to this rewarding profession.
- What has been your biggest challenge throughout your career?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced throughout my career has been staying up-to-date with advances in technology and clinical guidelines. With medical physics being such a rapidly evolving field, it is important to stay abreast of new developments and ensure that I am providing the most accurate and effective treatments for my patients. Additionally, maintaining good communication between medical physicists, oncologists and other healthcare professionals has been an ongoing challenge as we strive to coordinate our efforts towards providing quality patient care. Finally, navigating regulatory guidelines can be difficult due to their frequently changing nature. All these challenges require a great deal of dedication and perseverance but I believe they are also essential in order to provide safe, effective treatments and advance the field of medical physics. Overall, these challenges have not only made me stronger but have provided invaluable opportunities for growth.
- I imagine working in radiation oncology can be rewarding but also stressful at times. What do you do to unwind?
Working in the field of radiation oncology can be incredibly demanding and oftentimes very stressful. To help me cope with this stress, I like to take time away from work to do some activities which relax me such as reading books or taking walks in nature. Spending time with family and friends is also important for my mental wellbeing. Additionally, exercising regularly helps keep me physically and mentally fit, allowing me to stay focused on the tasks at hand. I also make sure to take breaks during my day so that I don’t become overwhelmed by what I am doing. Taking a few moments here and there throughout the day allows me to recharge and come back feeling energized and ready to tackle any challenge that comes my way.
- Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Just that I’m extremely passionate about my work as a medical physicist and believe that it can make a real difference in people’s lives. Working with cutting-edge technology is incredibly exciting and fulfilling, and I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing this career path to learn as much as they can and never stop striving for the best. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve great things in this field!