International Medical Physics Day honors professionals and Marie Curie

November 7 marks International Medical Physics Day, a date chosen to coincide with the birthday of Marie Curie, the pioneering scientist whose research on radioactivity transformed medicine. The day recognizes the essential role medical physicists play in healthcare, particularly in diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays and CT scans, and in cancer treatments like radiotherapy.

Medical physicists ensure that radiation doses are precise and that healthy tissue is protected during treatment. The International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) leads the global observance, highlighting how these professionals contribute to patient safety and the responsible integration of new technologies.

The theme for 2026 focuses on advancing health equity as an ethical foundation of medical physics. This campaign addresses the global disparity in access to diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine, advocating for high-quality care regardless of a patient's geographic location or economic status.