Health Professions

The field of Medical Dosimetry involves the measurement and calculation of dose for the treatment of cancer patients.  Dosimetrists use their knowledge of physics, anatomy, and radiobiology to develop an optimal arrangement of radiation portals to spare normal and radiosensitive tissues while applying a prescribed dose to the targeted disease volume.  Please visit Medical Dosimetry to learn more about the UWL program.

In its simplest terms, occupational therapists help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).  Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.  Please visit Occupational Therapy to learn more about the UWL program.

When individuals are recovering from injury or disease, the physical therapist evaluates and directs the recovery process to relieve pain, make them stronger, and help them to regain use of an affected limb. Physical therapists also teach patients and their families what to do so that healing continues through self-care at home.  Please visit Physical Therapy to learn more about the UWL program.

Physician assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. Physician assistants work in a variety of practice settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and research centers. PAs are qualified to take medical histories, examine patients, order and administer tests, make diagnoses, treat illnesses, and assist in surgery. They are trained to provide care that otherwise would be administered by a physician.  Please visit Physician Assistant to learn more about the UWL program.

Diagnostic medical sonography uses ultrasound, or high-frequency sound waves, to identify and diagnose diseases in body organs and tissues. The diagnostic medical sonographer is a health care professional who performs diagnostic ultrasound examinations under a physician’s supervision. To perform imaging on patients in the clinical setting, sonographers are required to integrate medical knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathology and ultrasound physics.  Please visit Diagnostic Medical Sonography to learn more about the UWL program.

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, known as radiopharmaceuticals, for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes.  Highly simplified, a typical procedure would involve discussing the procedure with the patient, injecting the radiopharmaceutical which localizes in the area of interest, then is imaged using a special camera.  It is something like taking an X-ray from the inside-out.  Please visit Nuclear Medicine Technology to learn more about the UWL program.

Radiation therapists are health care professionals skilled in the art and science of medical radiation treatment delivery.  Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy offers patients the best chance to succeed in the fight against their disease.  The major focus areas of the profession are the primary care of patients, simulation, treatment, planning, and delivery of treatments utilizing linear accelerator produced radiation and radio-isotopes.  Aims of treatment include cure, relief of symptoms, and improvement of patients’ quality of life.  Please visit Radiation Therapy to learn more about the UWL program.

Radiologic Technology is a medical specialty that uses x-rays for diagnostic and research purposes.  The Rad Tech works with the physician and patient to acquire optimal images.  Please visit Radiologic Technology to learn more about the UWL program.