Harold E. Johns

Harold E. Johns (1915–1998) was a Canadian medical physicist, known for his work in the development of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. He was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, and received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Toronto in 1940.

Early Life and Education

Johns was born on January 4, 1915, in Saskatchewan, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan and later pursued his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Toronto, which he received in 1940.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Johns worked at the National Research Council in Ottawa, where he conducted research on nuclear physics and radiation. In 1946, he moved to the University of Saskatchewan to establish a medical physics department.

During his time at the University of Saskatchewan, Johns developed the first Cobalt-60 radiotherapy unit, which revolutionized the treatment of cancer. This unit was used to treat the first cancer patient in 1951.

In 1956, Johns moved to the University of Toronto to become the head of the medical biophysics department. He continued his research on radiation therapy and made significant contributions to the field of medical physics.

Legacy

Johns' work has had a significant impact on the field of medical physics and radiation therapy. His development of the Cobalt-60 radiotherapy unit has saved countless lives and continues to be a standard treatment for cancer.

In recognition of his contributions, Johns received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Canada and the Gold Medal from the Association of Medical Physicists.

See Also

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Therapy
• Cancer Treatment