The AAMD Outstanding Achievement Award

The American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) is proud to announce that Cara Sullivan, BS, CMD, RT(T), has been selected as the recipient of the distinguished 2026 AAMD Outstanding Achievement Award. This recognition celebrates her profound and multifaceted contributions to the advancement of the medical dosimetry profession over her remarkable 36-year career.

Cara Sullivan is a beacon of excellence, known for her unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of cancer care, her exceptional managerial expertise, and her strong leadership within and beyond the clinical setting. Her career trajectory is a testament to her dedication, beginning in radiation oncology in 1988 and progressing through pivotal roles such as Staff Dosimetrist, Senior Medical Dosimetrist and Director of Dosimetry. In her current role as Dosimetry Manager/Clinical Education Coordinator for Atrium Healthcare/Levine Cancer in Charlotte, NC, she continues to lead and mentor medical dosimetrists, ensuring compliance with industry standards and fostering professional development through clinical education.

Beyond her administrative and leadership roles, Cara is a passionate advocate for education and professional development. Cara assisted with the creation of a medical dosimetry education program at the Carolinas College of Health Sciences, where she now teaches and mentors medical dosimetry students.

Her award nomination highlighted her exceptional leadership skills, particularly her ability to develop and implement organizational policies, streamline operations, and cultivate a culture of excellence within her teams.  

Cara's impact on medical dosimetry extends to the AAMD, where her volunteerism has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has served in a multitude of vital roles, including:

• Board of Directors Leadership: Secretary (2012-2015) and a full Presidential term (President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President, 2018-2021), during which she oversaw salary and workforce data collection, built strong relationships with sister societies and led the organization through COVID-related changes to programs and activities.
• Committee Co-Chair: Leading numerous committees, including Annual Conference, Membership, Nominations, Career Services, Practice Standards Review, and International Membership, playing a key role in planning educational meetings, coordinating outreach, and supporting career development.
• Committee Member: Contributing to the Annual Conference Committee and the Formal Education Committee.
• Subcommittees and Task Groups: Serving on the Curriculum Guidelines Revision Subcommittee and as an AAMD representative to the collaborative Educational Outreach Workgroup of the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

A respected voice in the field, Sullivan has shared her expertise through significant publications, including "Full Dose SBRT in Combination with Mediastinal Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Practical Guide for Planning," and was a contributing author to the AAMD Curriculum Guidelines (2024). She has also presented at numerous professional conferences, further disseminating knowledge and best practices within the radiation oncology community.

Cara’s dedication to service transcends her professional obligations. She actively contributes to her local community, serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Children's Attention Home in Rock Hill, SC, and participating in their Capital Campaign and Board Development committees. Demonstrating her immense generosity and commitment to supporting future generations, she established the Sullivan Family Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to medical dosimetry students and is administered through the AAMD Foundation.

The 2026 AAMD Outstanding Achievement Award is a well-deserved recognition of Cara’s unparalleled professional accomplishments, her unwavering dedication to the AAMD, her significant contributions to education and research, and her inspiring commitment to community service. The AAMD extends its sincerest congratulations to Cara for this exceptional honor. Her legacy of leadership and commitment will undoubtedly continue to inspire medical dosimetrists for years to come.

Cara Sullivan, BS, CMD, RT(T)