David Roesener

Radiation Physicist

David Richard Roesener of Dublin, Ohio is a well regarded medical physicist currently working as a radiation physicist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he has been working with the radiation oncology department since early 2014. Previously, he had served as a senior medical physicist for Global Physics Solutions based in Chicago, Illinois where he acted as the primary physicist for two centers in the Chicagoland area. He would prepare multiple centers for state audits performed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. He is also certified by the American Board of Radiology. From 2006 to 2009, David Roesener was a staff medical physicist as part of the department of radiation oncology in the Barrett Cancer Center at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. From 2005 to 2006, he served as a junior medical physicist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School.

David Roesener also has significant experience in the materials and metallurgical engineering field. He worked as a metallurgical engineering consultant for Byron Products in Fairfield, Ohio from 2003-2004, where he performed materials failure analysis investigations in addition to providing technical support and improving sales processes. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Roesener was a materials engineer for Delphi Safety and Interiors, located in Vandalia, Ohio. Prior to that, he worked as a metallurgical engineer for MQS Inspection in Cincinnati, Ohio.

David R. Roesener holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Engineering. He has also earned two Masters of Science degrees from the University of Cincinnati. The first he received in 2002 for Biomedical Engineering. The second he received in 2005 for Medical Physics. Mr. Roesener was an ASM International Committee member from 1996 to 2003. He was named ASM Outstanding Young Member in 1999. Other honors and certifications for David Roesener include the William Tholke Scholarship Award, an ongoing member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine since 2003, and has held his Professional Engineer License from the State of Ohio since 2003. In his free time, Mr. Roesener enjoys playing music, recreational sports and exercise, as well as reading in a wide variety of subjects spanning scientific works to classical literature.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

My typical day starts with a cup of coffee while I catch up on emails, industry news and any ongoing clinical work. Then, I start reviewing what needs to be done for the current clinical rotation.. I check my schedule since there are certain priorly scheduled activities. Throughout the day, I have meetings with colleagues to discuss relevant topics and updates related to our department’s clinical work and research. In between meetings, I make sure to take breaks from sitting in front of the computer by getting some fresh air or taking a quick walk outside. By breaking up my workday with productive activities like these, it helps me stay engaged throughout the entire day so that my productivity levels remain high. At night before heading home for dinner, I do one final review of everything that was discussed during the day’s meetings as well as checking all the clinical tasks I completed in the day and I take a look to see the next day’s pending activities.

How do you bring ideas to life?

To bring ideas to life, I start by doing research on the subject. This helps me understand what is possible and what limitations I face. After that, I develop a plan that outlines steps to reach my desired outcome and set timelines for each stage of the process. Next, I create prototypes or mockups to test my assumptions which can serve as launching points for further development and improvement. Finally, after everything is tested, documented properly and ready for launch, it’s time to turn my idea into reality! I often seek feedback from others along the way or collaborate with peers or mentors who have experience in similar projects to ensure success.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One trend that excites me is the increasing accessibility of technology in healthcare. With advances like telemedicine, AI-driven analysis, and cloud computing-based applications, there is greater potential to improve patient care by leveraging data and streamlining access to services. These technologies can also provide insights into population health trends and help drive more informed decisions regarding medical treatments. Ultimately, this could make healthcare more efficient while improving outcomes for patients.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

One habit that helps me be productive is making sure to set aside dedicated time for focusing on work tasks. I strive to block out distractions and dedicate my full attention to whatever project I’m working on at that moment. I also try to break up my day with activities that help me stay focused when it’s time to get back into the thick of things. This way, I don’t burn out before the end of the day and can remain productive throughout.

What advice would you give your younger self?

My advice to my younger self would be to take risks and stay open to new opportunities. Follow your passions and don’t be afraid of failure – view it as an opportunity for growth. Learn from mistakes and don’t let them define who you are. Believe in yourself and you will go far.

Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?

I believe that technology can have a positive effect on our mental health. Too often, people are quick to point out the downsides of technology without considering how it can benefit us. We need to be mindful of how we use it and not become overly dependent, but the right tools like self-care apps, online therapy sessions, and even virtual reality can be extremely beneficial in helping us manage stress and anxiety. Technology allows us to connect with supportive communities while also getting personalized support from professionals in a safe environment. Done correctly, I strongly believe that tech has the power to improve our well-being.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

One thing I repeatedly do and recommend to others is to take time for self-reflection. It’s important to pause, take a step back, and reflect on the decisions we have made and our current situation. This helps us identify areas of improvement and redirect our focus towards our goals while being aware of the consequences of our actions. Doing this regularly can also provide much needed clarity and help build confidence in ourselves so that we can move forward with greater certainty. Taking even just 10 minutes per day for reflection will benefit you immensely in the long run.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

When I’m feeling overwhelmed or unfocused, I take a few deep breaths and remind myself that it’s OK to feel this way. It helps me regroup and refocus on the task at hand. Then, I’ll make a plan for how to approach the situation in an organized manner. This could involve breaking down tasks into smaller chunks so that they feel more manageable, setting short-term goals to keep myself motivated, or taking a break from work when necessary. Additionally, talking with people who are supportive can also be helpful in providing perspective and reminding me that everything will eventually sort itself out if I’m willing to put in the effort.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

One strategy that has helped me grow my business and advance in my career is networking. I make an effort to attend industry events, build relationships with like-minded professionals, and invest in online tools that allow me to reach out and connect with potential partners or clients. Networking has allowed me to expand my knowledge of the industry, become more established within it, and meet people who can help open doors for new opportunities. Additionally, by openly asking questions and seeking honest feedback I’ve been able to gain useful insights into ways I can improve my work while staying ahead of the competition. These strategies have enabled me to truly succeed in this field.

What is one failure in your career,  how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

One failure I faced in my career was not being willing to take risks. I used to play it safe and stay within my comfort zone, but this eventually became a roadblock for growth. To overcome it, I began pushing myself outside of my boundaries by taking on more challenging tasks and pursuing opportunities that seemed intimidating. This allowed me to gain new experiences, acquire valuable skills, and build relationships – all of which helped me develop both professionally and personally. From these experiences I learned the importance of taking risks in order to achieve success as well as the value of resilience and perseverance when facing challenges or failures along the way.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I have an idea for a business that combines technology with the power of personal connection. It would be a system where people can join online communities tailored to their interests, while also receiving personalized support from experts in the field. This could include mental health professionals, career coaches, or anyone with skills or expertise others may seek out. By providing access to both professional and peer-to-peer support within these virtual spaces, I believe tech has the potential to improve well-being and help individuals through various obstacles in life.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

I use many tools to stay productive and organized but my favorite right now is Microsoft Teams. It’s a great tool for creating lists, setting goals, tracking progress, creating checklists and more. I use it for managing my time, tasks, projects and even just keeping track of ideas I have throughout the day. It helps me ensure that priorities are taken care of first and allows me to set reminders so that I don’t miss important deadlines or tasks. Additionally, the integration with its other services make it easy to sync up with teammates or colleagues to get things done in an efficient manner. Overall, Teams has been really helpful in helping me stay on top of everything while staying organized as well!

Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?

My favorite book is Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s an incredible book that combines science and personal experiences to help readers understand how habits are formed and how to create good ones. It’s packed with actionable advice that can be applied to any area of life, whether it’s improving physical or mental health, building relationships, or achieving success in a career. The book has taught me to think more deeply about how I’m creating habits and how to successfully stick with them for the long term. It’s been an invaluable resource in helping me break bad habits and create better ones that will help me reach my goals faster.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

I recently watched the historical series Vikings:Valhalla and it was a great watch. It’s an intense drama that follows characters as they make difficult choices to survive the harsh reality of living in a dangerous world. It brilliantly displays how the characters’ decisions have repercussions both within and outside of their own lives, making it a compelling watch. The series also highlights the value of resilience and perseverance when facing challenges or failures along the way. This is something I could relate to as I’ve faced a few difficulties in my own life and it helped me realize that no matter how hard things may seem, there is always a chance to turn things around.

Key learnings

  • Make sure to set aside dedicated time for focusing on work tasks.
  • It’s important to pause, take a step back, and reflect on the decisions we have made and our current situation. This helps us identify areas of improvement and redirect our focus towards our goals while being aware of the consequences of our actions.
  • Networking allows you to expand knowledge of an industry, become more established within it, and meet people who can help open doors for new opportunities.