2005 Press Releases
Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine Director Weakley Receives Dosimetry Certification ROME – Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine Director Amy Weakley has become certified in medical dosimetry, announced Rome Memorial Hospital President/CEO Darlene Burns. “This is a major accomplishment for one of our ‘shining stars,’” said Burns. “Amy is an incredible director and radiation therapist and this is a ‘stamp of approval’ that our radiation oncology team continues to provide quality treatment to patients in the fight against cancer.” “This certification is further assurance to our patients that radiation therapy planning at Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine meets national standards,” said Weakley. “Becoming certified in dosimetry verifies that I have the expertise and education necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations to our patients in collaboration with our board certified radiation oncologist Dr. Linda Schicker.” Weakley said that the rigorous exam, which is given by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB), also indicates that she has the knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment and that she is also cognizant of procedures commonly used in the advanced cancer treatment of brachytherapy. “Amy has gone above and beyond,” said Mark Snyderman, assistant vice president of planning and outpatient services. “It is rare that people pass the exam the first time. This is a very rigorous exam. It is a very significant achievement.” “I was looking to push myself to another level,” said Weakley. “With the recent expansion of the Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine site to include intensity modulated radiation therapy and respiratory gating and with my responsibilities as a wife and mother of two children, I was able to pace myself in terms of preparing for the exam.” Weakley received her associate’s degree in radiation therapy in 1994 from SUNY Health Science Center. She began her career at Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine in 1998 as a per diem employee and moved through the ranks to her current position as director. Weakley also served as co-chair of the American Cancer Society’s 2005 Rome Relay for Life, which generated over $412,000 in the fight against cancer at seven Mohawk Valley locations. Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine, located in Chestnut Commons, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome, was opened by Rome Memorial Hospital in 1997 to provide radiation therapy. The hospital recently expanded the radiation therapy center with a new computer-aided cancer treatment system – intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) – that provides precise and powerful treatment for lung and other cancers. “We have the only IMRT system in the Mohawk Valley with respiratory gating and portal imaging,” said Weakley. IMRT can be used to treat many different types of cancer, including tumors in the prostate, brain, pancreas, liver, breast, head, neck and lungs. It also allows safer treatment of tumors which are located very close to delicate organs like the eye, spinal cord or rectum. For more information on Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine, please call 315-338-0897. | 