About the Health Physics Society

The Health Physics Society, formed in 1956, is a scientific organization of professionals who specialize in radiation safety. Its mission is to support its members in the practice of their profession and to promote excellence in the science and practice of radiation safety. Today its nearly 6,000 members represent all scientific and technical areas related to radiation safety including academia, government, medicine, research and development, analytical services, consulting, and industry in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Society is chartered in the United States as an independent nonprofit scientific organization and, as such, is not affiliated with any government or industrial organization or private entity. The Society also promotes public information preparation and dissemination, education and training opportunities, and scientific information exchange through conferences and meetings and posting current news items and conducts a program to accredit radiation instrumentation calibration laboratories. Click here to see the Society Code of Ethics and the Society Strategic Plan.

Address and Contact Information

The mailing address and contact information for the administrative offices of the Health Physics Society:

Health Physics Society 1313 Dolley Madison Boulevard Suite 402 McLean, Virginia 22101 Phone: 703-790-1745 Fax: 703-790-2672 Email: hps@BurkInc.com

Membership

The membership of the Society (4,958) consists of Plenary Members (2,747), Associate Members (1,122), Fellow Members (100), Student Members (371), Members Emeritus (523), Life Members (46), and Affiliate Members (49). Members reside in the United States and its possessions (4,597), Canada (123), and 49 other countries (238). Demographics for number of members by specialties and employment are available on the demographics page.

(Indicates membership totals as of 10/1/09).

Meetings and Conferences

An annual meeting is held each calendar year at a time and place selected by the Board of Directors. At least one business session is open to the membership during this meeting. It is the custom of the Society to cosponsor a midyear topical meeting, usually in conjunction with one or more chapters or sections. Other meetings may be held at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Chapters

Chapters are affiliated groups of the Society established by the Board of Directors. Chapters carry out the objectives and purposes of the Society members residing in the same geographical areas. Any member of the Society may become a chapter member upon payment of appropriate chapter dues. Communications regarding the formation of a new chapter should be directed to the Executive Secretary.

Sections

Technical sections of the Society are authorized by the Board of Directors and represent subspecialties within the field of radiation safety. Provisions for petitioning for formation of a section are contained in the Rules of the Society. Communications regarding the formation of a new section should be directed to the Executive Secretary.

Official Publications

The official publications of the Society include the Health Physics Journal, Health Physics News, Operational Radiation Safety, the Membership Handbook, special publications (proceedings and educational materials), American National Standards, and this Web site. Contact information, publication links, and other information about the printed publications can be found at our Publications page.

Health Physics

Health Physics is the official journal of the Society and is issued monthly.

Operational Radiation Safety

Operational Radiation Safety is a Society publication featuring peer-reviewed papers concerned with practical and applied health physics and is issued quarterly.

Membership Handbook

The Membership Handbook is a publication of the Society issued annually. Members are requested to keep the Executive Secretary informed regarding changes in address and other Handbook matters.

Special Publications

The director of special publications is responsible for editing and publishing the special publications for the Society, for example, Society brochures, midyear symposia proceedings, summer school materials, etc.

Health Physics News

Health Physics News is issued monthly.