STNM medical physicist becomes Sikkim's first woman to qualify as Radiological Safety Officer-Level III

GANGTOK,: Bringing pride to the State, Bindiya Sharma (Dhakal), a resident of Cheuribotey, Central Pendam, has successfully cleared the Radiological Safety Officer (RSO) Level III Examination conducted by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.

With this remarkable achievement, she has become the first woman from Sikkim to qualify as a Radiological Safety Officer (RSO) Level III. She is also Sikkim's first Medical Physicist, and her success marks another significant milestone for the state's healthcare and radiation safety sector, a press release informs.

Bindiya is currently serving as a Medical Physicist in the Radiotherapy Department of Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital, Gangtok, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the safe, accurate, and effective use of radiation in the treatment of cancer patients.

Her academic journey reflects dedication, perseverance, and excellence. She completed her primary education at Eternal English School and her senior secondary education at Government Senior Secondary School, Central Pendam. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Physics from Sikkim Government College, Tadong, followed by a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Physics from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar. She later pursued a Post M.Sc. Diploma in Medical Physics from Jadavpur University and completed a one-year clinical internship at the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata.

The RSO Level III certification, awarded through an examination conducted by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), is among the highest professional qualifications in radiation safety in India, signifying advanced expertise in the safe use and regulatory management of radiation.

Bindiya Sharma’s accomplishment is a matter of immense pride for Sikkim and serves as an inspiration for aspiring students, especially young women, to pursue careers in science, medical physics, and healthcare. Her achievement highlights the growing contribution of professionals from the State in highly specialized fields and reinforces Sikkim's commitment to excellence in healthcare.

Bindiya expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her parents, family members, teachers, mentors, friends, and colleagues for their unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance throughout her academic and professional journey. She also conveyed her sincere appreciation to the faculty and staff of the institutions where she studied and trained, as well as her colleagues at STNM Hospital, for their constant motivation and cooperation. She dedicated this achievement to everyone who believed in her and supported her in realizing her aspirations, the release mentions.