Discover how Michael Trager and Northwell Health enhance quality assurance through Radformation tools, driving innovation and safety in radiation oncology.
"As we’ve gradually brought more Radformation tools into our workflow, we’ve uncovered new ways to drive innovation, improve quality, and strengthen our approach to risk management.”
In celebration of AAPM taking place in Washington DC—we’re shining the spotlight this month on Michael Trager, MS, DABR, Senior Radiation Physicist at Northwell Health.
Northwell Health is a huge network spread over 10 integrated clinics supported by a dedicated team of ~25 radiation oncologists, ~20 physicists, ~17 dosimetrists, plenty of wonderful RTT's and a handful of medical and physics residents. With such a high patient volume, the need for precision, streamlined workflows, and effective automation has never been more essential.
Tools That Power Excellence
At Northwell Health, Michael and his team rely on a robust suite of Radformation tools -AutoContour, EZFluence, ClearCheck, ClearCalc with RadMonteCarlo, and QuickCode - to support their high-performing clinical workflows. Michael says, "My everyday essentials are AutoContour, ClearCheck, and ClearCalc with RadMonteCarlo. They’re absolutely central to how I work.”
Efficiency Meets Accuracy
AutoContour significantly streamlines routine contouring tasks, saving valuable time and enabling staff to focus on higher-order planning responsibilities according to Michael. It has improved the efficiency of generating planning contours and treatment-guiding workflows—tasks that traditionally require substantial manual effort from dosimetrists and physicists.
ClearCheck is woven throughout the planning process—from the initial setup to final verification. Michael states that it serves as a critical safety net, consistently catching small but important details that might otherwise be overlooked and potentially compromise patient safety. In a busy clinic environment, its vigilance enhances confidence and frees up bandwidth for clinical judgment where it matters most—evaluating nuanced plan quality and patient-specific considerations.
ClearCalc, seamlessly integrates with Eclipse, supports independent MU calculations without interrupting the planning environment. When paired with RadMonteCarlo, Michael feels it offers crucial insights—particularly when IMRT QA results raise concerns or plan deliverability is in question. The ability to use the same second-check system across EBRT, brachytherapy, and GammaKnife treatments ensures consistency, efficiency, and confidence across all modalities according to Michael.
When asked which Radformation tool deserves a lifetime achievement award, Michael doesn’t hesitate—ClearCheck is the clear favorite. “Working in a busy clinic where plan checks are often squeezed in between brachytherapy, GammaKnife, clinical coverage, and various projects, I rely on ClearCheck to keep me grounded. It consistently catches routine details—like small field openings or potential collisions—that could easily be missed in the rush. That peace of mind lets me focus more on the things that truly need my attention: plan quality and patient-specific nuances that can sometimes get lost in the repetition of plan checking.”
Safeguarding Care in a Fast-Paced Environment
In a high-volume clinic where plan checks are often interrupted by urgent tasks and shifting priorities, ClearCheck has consistently served as a reliable safety net. Michael says it flags routine issues—like small field openings or potential gantry-couch collisions—that might be missed during a fragmented workflow. This dependability helps the team maintain quality, even on the busiest days.
Beyond saving hours of manual review, ClearCheck has helped prevent near-miss events by catching problems early—boosting both efficiency and safety.
Driving Department-Wide Quality Improvements
As more Radformation tools have been integrated into the clinic, Michael says, “we’ve uncovered new ways to drive innovation, improve quality, and strengthen our approach to risk management.”
By embedding Radformation checks into everyday workflows, the team has proactively addressed safety concerns and developed new protocols in response. In several cases, recurring issues have been significantly reduced—or even eliminated—thanks to the tools’ reliability. The result? Smoother workflows, stronger safeguards, and a clear impact on patient care.
What about the Team at Radformation?
“My experience with the Radformation team has been nothing short of incredible. They’ve always been easy to reach whenever I’ve had questions about product use or implementation, and they’re genuinely receptive to feedback. It’s clear they’re committed to constantly improving their tools based on what users like me are seeing in the clinic.”
From emails to video calls, Michael has worked closely with Radformation developers to share ideas for new features and improvements—consistently finding that user input truly drives product evolution. His relationship with the team dates back to residency, when he tested an early version of ClearCheck focused on constraints and DVH. Even then, their collaborative approach stood out—and it continues to this day.
Michael's advice to fellow physicists? "Engage with your vendors. Open dialogue and shared problem-solving don’t just lead to better tools—they help move the entire field forward. Chances are, if you’re facing a challenge, others are too. Working together makes a bigger impact for everyone."
A Personal Note
Michael extends deep appreciation to his past and current colleagues, whose collaboration has shaped his clinical mindset and approach to problem-solving. Their collective curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking continue to inspire and inform his work every day.
Beyond the Clinic:
Tell us one fun or unexpected fact about yourself:
"I once lacerated my spleen playing football—not exactly my finest moment, but definitely one I’ll never forget. It gave my parents the ultimate “told you so,” and probably sealed the deal that physics was the safer (and smarter) path for me."
Favorite vacation spot—and why does it top the list?
"Tough call, but I’d have to go with Thailand. It has everything—breath taking landscapes, incredible food, and the kind of atmosphere that makes it easy to truly unplug. That said, I’m heading to Japan soon for my honeymoon, so a new favourite might be on the horizon. Stay tuned!"
Go-to comfort food or favorite dish?
"It’s a close three-way tie between ribs, sushi, and a BECSPK on an egg everything bagel (if you know, you know). Honestly, it depends on the time of day—and the craving of the moment."
