Karen Doppke, MS, DABR, helped break the gender barrier in radiation oncology physics when she entered the field nearly 50 years ago. And she has never stopped leading by example throughout her career at Mass General .
Formerly the longtime director of treatment planning and now a senior medical physicist for the Department of Radiation Oncology, Karen maintains the highest clinical, professional and ethical standards, making invaluable contributions to both the clinical and academic missions of the department. She has trained countless clinical practitioners in the fundamentals of radiation oncology physics, many of whom have gone on to hold leadership positions at the Mass General Cancer Center and other distinguished programs.
Karen was recognized as a fellow by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine in 1999, in part for her work establishing quality assurance practices for treatment planning. She has served as a site surveyor for the American Board of Radiology, and most recently, she has contributed to the development of the Harvard Medical School’s Medical Physics Residency Program.
“Though Karen can readily cite relevant literature and clinical protocols for new techniques, she remains very hands on in her day-to-day work,” says Bruce Crawford, MS, DABR. “As I look back on my career, Karen is among those colleagues who has helped make me the medical physicist I am today.”
Says another nominator: “Karen was my boss and mentor when I first came to Mass General and she continues to be a source of wisdom and guidance for myself and many others.”
