Fraass' work has enhanced the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation therapy (RT) for scores of patients facing a number of cancer types, including diseases in sites such as the liver and lung that may be difficult to treat. He and his group led efforts in the 1980s to understand and implement three-dimensional planning for radiation treatment and pioneered the introduction and validation of computer-controlled radiation delivery systems in the 1990s. As one of Fraass' letters of support noted, clinical trials under his leadership have pioneered the "ability to combine technical and clinical research toward the goal of tailoring each treatment course in an optimal fashion to suit individual patients through their entire treatment."

Concurrent with his work in tumor visualization and radiation treatment planning, Fraass was and continues to be instrumental in several patient safety initiatives, including founding the Radiation Oncology Safety Stakeholders Initiative and leading the development of the ASTRO Safety White Papers. Fraass is the current co-chair of ASTRO's Integrating Healthcare Enterprise - Radiation Oncology (IHE-RO) Committee, which guides efforts to improve interoperability among the multiple technologies involved in treating patients with RT. He also serves on the Radiation Oncology Healthcare Advisory Council (RO-HAC), which is associated with the Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System (RO-ILS®).


Fraass' record of service to the medical physics and radiation oncology communities crosses multiple organizations, initiatives and achievements. He has served on more than two dozen study sections for the National Cancer Institute and either organized or participated in more than 50 workshops, panels and symposia for scientific and professional organizations. Since joining ASTRO in 1984, Fraass also has participated extensively in teaching activities at the ASTRO Annual Meeting, delivering lectures on topics such as treatment optimization, quality assurance and patient safety.

Fraass' commitment to education and mentorship is evident in the legacy of medical physics faculty members and researchers who excelled under his guidance as students, residents and junior faculty. When asked to reflect on his career in a recent interview, Fraass jumped almost immediately to the importance of his peers. "Most of what we do involves collaboration," he said. "Whether it's the Safety White Papers or the Michigan research on 3-D treatment planning, computer-controlled radiotherapy or dose escalation, these are very importantly group efforts. What strikes me is that it's not me; it's the way we were able to work together and accomplish a great deal."

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