Lakeridge Health Physicist Receives U of T Physics Award for Excellence in Teaching

September 10, 2023

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Congratulations to Medical Physicist, Dr. Aaron Vandermeer, who received the Physics Residency Award for Excellence in Physics Teaching from the University of Toronto’s (U of T) Department of Radiation Oncology (DRO) at their Post-Grad Graduation Ceremony event in June.

The Physics Residency Award for Excellence in Physics Teaching is a trainee-selected award issued to one physicist across the five clinical sites that participate in the DRO Physics Residency Program. In addition to Lakeridge Health, this includes Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Trillium Health Partners, and Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Dr. Vandermeer’s award marks the first time that the award has been presented to a clinician in the Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC).

“I am thrilled and honoured to receive this award,” shares Dr. Vandermeer. “Teaching is a big part of my job and I look at it as one of the most important things I do – training the next generation of medical physicists. Being recognized for these efforts means a lot.”

Often found working behind the scenes, medical physicists ensure that the radiation therapy that patients receive is delivered accurately and that the treatment machines are providing the proper amount of radiation to the right location.

“Aaron is a thoughtful, effective, and encouraging teacher,” said Dr. Eric Christiansen, Medical Physics Resident who nominated Dr. Vandermeer for the award. “In addition to teaching the basics of how something is done, he also ensures that I understand why it is done and actively invites me into the decision-making process.”

The DRCC has participated in the clinical training of medical physicists since 2009, when it joined the U of T DRO as an affiliated site for the Medical Physics Resident Training Program. 

“Having trainees is a wonderful way to energize and engage staff,” said Dr. Katharina Sixel, Manager, Medical Physics. “Our entire Physics team participates in the program with enthusiasm and commitment. It is great to see Aaron’s contributions to teaching recognized and appreciated!  We are so proud of him and our program.”

“I had a lot of good mentors and teachers that helped me along the way,” reflects Dr. Vandermeer. “Teaching in Oshawa where I was born and raised is extremely rewarding as I can give back to my home community and pay tribute to those who helped me in my career path.”