Formation of the Foundation
Stage 1, 2007
The Foundation was first registered by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) as a not-for-profit organisation in 2007 and was entitled ACPSEM Research and Development Foundation LTD.
The Foundation funded awards and travel grants for ACPSEM applicants to attend conferences and to visit overseas departments to extend their research. Grants, awards and prizes were totally financed from donations received from ACPSEM members and the funds were governed by the (then) College Council Executive.
The 2007 Awards were:
| Award | Purpose | Value | Objective |
| Boyce Worthley Young Achiever Award | Significant contribution to the profession of physical and engineering sciences in medicine | Approx $3,000 – $4,000 | ACPSEM Member Research |
| Richard Bates Travel Scholarship | To undertake a period of study or carry out a research project overseas | Max $5,000 | ACPSEM Member Research |
| David Robinson Innovation Award | To attend the EPSM conference to present a paper detailing innovative work related to diagnostic imaging or biomedical engineering | $1,200 | ACPSEM Member Research |
| Kenneth Clarke Journal Award | Best original paper published in Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine authored by a College member | $500 | ACPSEM Member Research |
| ACPSEM Branch Travel Grants | To encourage young members or affiliates of the College who might otherwise have difficulty attending the annual conference and presenting a paper | Total = $2,400 but request for third grant for $1,200 | Education & Training |
Upgrading the Foundation’s Vision
Stage 2., 2017
In the first ten years, the activities of the Foundation funded many outstanding achievements for the health community, especially in the Asia Pacific region. It became very clear that there was a huge need to establish sufficient funding to support:
- significant new physics, engineering and associated science in medicine techniques and technologies for the benefit of Australian and New Zealand patients; and
- the provision of voluntary professional physics, engineering and associated science assistance to under resourced hospitals in Asia Pacific countries.
To achieve the needs of future healthcare, ACPSEM took the bold step to review and establish the Foundation’s vision, purpose and goals. The Foundation was re-registered as a not-for-profit company, ACPSEM Foundation Ltd, with its own independent Board and a new Constitution for the Foundation. The Board held its first meeting of ACPSEM Foundation Ltd in March 2017.
Stage 3., 2018
The Foundation’s Board established the brand name – Better Healthcare Technology – and registered the website betterhealthcaretechnology.org to promote the Foundation’s activities.
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Support Better-Healthcare-Technology
Asia-Pacific Assistance
Through the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Australian and New Zealand medical physicists have, for many years, provided expert lectures and professional assistance in Asian hospitals for nuclear medicine, radiology, radiotherapy and radiation protection services. The ANZ medical physicists have continued to be a strong supporter and have continued to build up a multidisciplinary group with the support of radiation oncology and nuclear medicine medical specialists, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists.
ACPSEM formed the Asia-Pacific Special Interest Group (APSIG) in 2009.
The Board of Better Healthcare Technology Foundation now governs the funding of the APSIG projects.
Foundation Partners
Elekta Travel Award
(organised by the ACPSEM, Asia Pacific Special Interest Group)
Elekta annually contributes support to:
- develop medical physics in developing countries participating in EPSM/AOCMP conferences; and
- education and training initiatives.
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