Success Stories

Visiting ORAU Fellow Will Lead the Way for Philippine Radiation Emergency Medical Response

Dr. Emma Cancino had a large task ahead of her. Upon returning to Virgen Milagrosa University in the Phillippines following her four-week fellowship with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) at the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), the doctor of internal medicine began to develop a protocol on the medical management of radiation accidents for her country.

As new technologies are continually researched and developed across the Philippines—a nation made up of more than 7,000 islands—the country’s government recognizes a need for further education in the realm of response to radiological emergencies.

This led Cancino to the opportunity to attend REAC/TS’ continuing medical education courses. Although the country has never had a radiation-related accident, Cancino believes pursuing radiation emergency medical response education can only serve to encourage and maintain her country’s safe record.

“Radiation management is a continuing education,” said Cancino. “We learn from past accidents, but of course we hope there would not be anymore. As incident responders, the best we can do is to be prepared in case something does happen.”

Cancino’s studies while at REAC/TS consisted of three courses dealing with radiation emergency medicine. She also participated in an independent study in which she toured the Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory to learn the role the lab plays in responding to radiological emergencies.

Cancino spoke highly of her time spent at REAC/TS, noting that it was a very rewarding experience in terms of knowledge and skills learned. “I was made aware of the importance of the lessons learned from past accidents, as well as the importance of cytogenetic biodosimetry in the diagnosis and treatment of radiation victims and processes involved,” she said.

Cancino is the fourth physician in the recent years to be awarded a fellowship by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to study at REAC/TS. Previous IAEA fellows were from Argentina, Egypt and Qatar.