International Day of Medical Physics 2026

Marie Curie (1867–1934)

Tomorrow the International Organization of Medical Physics celebrates the International Day of Medical Physics. November 7 is selected because it is the anniversary of the birth of Marie Curie, the Polish/French scientist who won two Nobel Prizes and is considered the first medical physicist.

This year’s theme is “Advancing Global Health Equity: The Ethical Foundation of Medical Physics.” What a refreshing idea. Here in the United States, our government is constantly demonizing all attempts at diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m glad the International Organization of Medical Physics decided to reassert emphatically that equity is a good thing, and in particular health equity is a noble goal. Marie Curie personifies diversity, equity, and inclusion. She became a scientist at a time when science was not diverse and almost no women were included in the profession.

What exactly is “equity”? The World Health Organization defines it as (my italics)

Equity is the absence of unfair, avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically or by other dimensions of inequality (e.g. sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation). Health is a fundamental human right. Health equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being.

Is equity woke? Yes! And so am I.

The fifth edition of Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology didn’t say much about Curie, but Gene Surdutovich and I have corrected that in the sixth edition.

In 1896, Henri Becquerel along with Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radioactivity (they shared the physics Nobel Prize in 1903), having found “α rays” emitted by uranium ore. Alpha rays turned out to be α particles and the main emitters were the nuclei of radium and polonium. Marie Curie won her second Nobel Prize (this time in chemistry) in 1911 for the discovery of these new elements.

Below is the International Day of Medical Physics 2026 poster, designed by Francesca Vittorini, Camilla Petrucci, and the Health Physics Team from the San Salvatore Hospital in L’Aquila, Italy. It’s not quite as good as my favorite, the 2024 poster by Lavanya Murugan, but it’s close. According to the International Day of Medical Physics website, “The ascending staircase symbolises progress, access, and the shared journey toward more equitable healthcare for all. The diverse patient–professional interactions reflect compassion, inclusivity, and the human-centred role of medical physicists in supporting safe, effective, and ethical medical care worldwide.”

There is a famous quote by Marie Curie

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

I personally find hope in this quote. Over the last two years I’ve feared that my once-great country is becoming a place I no longer recognize. Curie reminds me that the key is for me to understand what is happening in the United States and who is responsible, so I’ll be better able to recognize and oppose changes I don’t support. Our recent midterm elections give me hope that others recognize and oppose, but do not fear, the current administration too.

Sorry for getting all political, but these days it seems I have little choice. Happy International Day of Medical Physics to you all, and let’s work toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive profession and society. And above all, Happy Birthday, Marie Curie! 

 International Day of Medical Physics coordinators message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=701ngMLY39c&t=162s 

Marie Curie biography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSH3HTfhd0