Kaylie Hammersborg knows that becoming a certified health physicist (CHP) wasn’t a childhood dream for most. It was a chance discovery later in life.

But that wasn’t the case for her.

For Hammersborg, a CHP at the Defense Health Agency (DHA), the journey began much earlier, sparked by a rare high school opportunity.

Hammersborg grew up near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in southern Maryland, where the proximity inspired her school to invite experts to discuss the nearby facility.

“We had a health physicist, Tim Kirkham, come to my high school to talk about the field,” she recalls. Kirkham was a technical health physics manager for Constellation Energy at Calvert Cliffs.

“After he spoke, I thought, ‘This sounds so cool.’ I didn’t even know a field like this existed, but once I heard about it, I was hooked,” Hammersborg said.

Her high school’s mentorship program allowed students to shadow professionals in their field of interest. She nervously requested to visit the nuclear power plant, assuming it would be denied.

To her surprise, it was approved.

“I went once a week and worked with Tim,” Hammersborg says. “He gave me projects, taught me about dosimetry and instrumentation, and introduced me to radiation basics.”

Her story illustrates the power of early outreach by health physicists. Programs like these can open students’ eyes to the possibilities within STEM fields, inspiring the next generation of professionals.

She and others offer an inspiring roadmap for how we can help attract new talent to the field and why earning the CHP designation can make a profound difference in a career.

Spark Interest with Early Exposure

Introducing students to health physics during their formative years can significantly influence their career choices, Hammersborg says.

She knows this firsthand.

Programs like the one her school provided, which offered hands-on activities and real-world applications, bridge the gap between theory and practice and makes health physics relatable and exciting.

“If more health physicists visited schools or offered mentorship programs, I think we’d see a lot more young people entering the field,” she says.

Creating opportunities for students to shadow professionals or participate in workshops can demystify the field, showcase its relevance, and inspire the next generation.

Inspire Through Mentorship

Providing mentorship is pivotal in fostering student interest and guiding them toward STEM careers.

Mentors share their individual experiences and successes, offer tailored support and help students overcome challenges while developing their skills.

“My mentor couldn’t show me everything because I was a student, but he gave me several hands-on projects,” Hammersborg recalls. “That early exposure made all the difference.”

Establishing effective mentorship programs requires thoughtful planning, recruiting experienced mentors, matching them with students based on interests, and ensuring meaningful interaction.

Host Science Festivals and Community Events

Other experts say hosting interactive booths and demonstrations at science festivals or community events is an excellent way to spark curiosity about health physics. These events allow students and families to explore the field in an engaging, hands-on environment.

For example, experts say participants can try using radiation detectors to measure everyday objects,

understand shielding principles with simple experiments, or watch medical imaging technology in action. Visual and tactile experiences can demystify complex concepts, making them accessible and exciting.

Real-world connections can leave an impression and motivate further exploration.

Highlight Health Physics’ Impact on Society

Students are often motivated by the desire to make a meaningful impact. Showcasing how health physicists contribute to a safer and better world can inspire them to explore this important field.

Health physics is essential for protecting people and the environment from radiation hazards while supporting advancements like precise cancer treatments. The field ensures the safe use of radiation in

medical, industrial, and research settings, establishes exposure guidelines, and develops technologies to reduce risks and enhance benefits.

Sharing powerful examples of CHPs in action—such as mitigating nuclear disasters or ensuring public safety after radiation exposure—can illustrate the real-world significance of their work.

By highlighting the tangible impact of health physics, experts believe we can inspire students to view it as a purposeful and rewarding career.

Why Being a CHP Matters: Professional and Personal Benefits

Hammersborg’s advice is clear for professionals weighing the decision to pursue the CHP designation.

“The process makes you a better health physicist,” she says. “It’s not just about passing an exam—it’s about deepening your understanding of the field and proving your expertise.”

Certification has unlocked significant career, financial and professional development opportunities for Hammersborg.

“It has helped with job offers, promotions and salary. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without it,” Hammersborg says. She adds that “being a CHP is a great justification to employers to provide funding for training to earn CEUs to maintain your certification.”

There’s also respect. Hammersborg has gained a lot of it.

“Certification sets a standard of competency and ethics,” she explains. “When I do hospital site visits, people take my advice more seriously because they see ‘CHP’ after my name.”

But it’s not easy. That’s why strategic planning, seeking mentorship and staying motivated through challenges is essential.

“Take it one step at a time. Passing the CHP exam is tough, but it’s worth it,” she says. “The respect, opportunities and growth you gain make all the effort worthwhile.”

Take the next step in your career and unlock your earning potential. Apply to become a CHP today! Email or contact us to get started.