AROPA Governing Body
Radiation Oncology & Medical Physics
The AROPA is a registered National Organization 501(c)(3). Our Board of Directors are passionate about creating excellence in the field of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics. The AROPA Board is made up of volunteer governance positions.
As an organization we place emphasis on:
Creating community
Providing quality education and mentorship opportunities
Advancing the field of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics through developing strong leadership
AROPA Advisory Board
Neha Vapiwala, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Stephen Avery, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Stefan Both, PhD
University Medical Center Groningen
Thomas Dilling, MD
Moffit Cancer Center
Kevin Du, MD, PhD
Yale University
Shibu Anamalayil, MS
University of Pennsylvania
AROPA Board of Directors
Chris has worked at Rush University Medical Center in the department of Radiation Oncology since 2008 as the residency program administrator and the manager of administrative support.
Thalia is a Training Program Administrator with over 10 years’ experience working with residents. Being a member of AROPA is a wonderful sharing of experience and knowledge that has enhanced my leadership in management abilities, communication, interpersonal, administrative and organizational skills, leading her to be more detail-oriented, compassionate, supportive, calm under pressure and being happily successful doing her job.
Director of Medical Physics Member Services
Julie Follman, MBA
Washington University School of Medicine
Julie is the Program Coordinator for the Residency, Ph.D., MS, Postdoctoral Certificate, and undergraduate Purdy Fellowship programs in medical physics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She has worked at the university since 2002 and has several years of experience developing and managing a variety of graduate medical and educational programming.
Co-Director of Mentoring & Outreach
Patricia Candia, PhD, C-TAGME
UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson
Seven years in Radiation Oncology, currently Manager of Academic Programs
Co-Director of Mentoring & Outreach
DeAnna O'Connell, BS
University of Louisville
Along with serving as the Program Coordinator with the university and her role with AROPA, DeAnna also serves on the Quality and Patient Safety Subcommittee.
Kari has been a fellowship and residency program coordinator since 2010, serving Hematology/Oncology, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Rheumatology, and now Radiation Oncology. She has a continued and dedicated passion for development and learning, serving as a mentor for other administrators across campus, building innovative programs for sharing of knowledge, and providing educational opportunities that support the careers of her peers and colleagues.
Fellowship Liaison
Lea Della Vecchia, MS
University of Pennsylvania
Lea is the Associate Director of student services in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. In this role, she supports the Medical Physics Graduate Programs and coordinates their new Fellowship program. She has worked in the Department of Radiation Oncology in several capacities since 2020.
Originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Adriana spent her formative years in Brighton, England. She is a proud mum of an 18-year-old heading to Ole Miss for radiologic sciences. Married for 6 years, Adriana moved to the USA in December 2018. She tries to live healthy, especially in the summer when she’s happiest on the water. Adriana is a coffee lover, a clean freak, and a fan of medical series, movies, and stand-up comedy. Animals, especially dogs, have her heart—she dog-sits often. Languages fascinate her; she can greet people in 10 different languages. Adriana loves connecting with people, which is why she adores her job as a program administrator. She truly loves her residents and is honored to run the socials for their community.
Director of Grants/Funding Opportunities
Vanessa Moya, BBA
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Vanessa Moya is the Program Administrator for Education and Training at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She oversees operations for the Division of Radiation Oncology's GME, research training, clinical clerkship, and CME programs. Vanessa holds a BBA in Management from Texas Southern University and is completing her MBA in Strategic Human Resource Management at the University of Houston-Victoria. Her interests in organizational development, ethical leadership, equity, and operations have led her to serve on various committees, initiate training programs, shape policies, and advance wellness initiatives. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys family time, dancing, and basking in the sun.