Medical physicist Tynan Stevens advancing his career and cancer care in Cape Breton

Cape Breton Cancer Centre medical physicist Tynan Stevens has always known he wanted to work in healthcare. As a high school athlete recovering from injury and going through physiotherapy, he imagined a future as a physiotherapist. 

That goal led him to study kinesiology at Dalhousie University—but his strong performance in physics courses and a timely nudge from then-department chair Dr. Gerhard Stroink opened the door to a different path.

Gerhard introduced Tynan to the field of medical physics, which blends physical science with clinical care. It turned out to be a perfect fit. 

One undergraduate degree, a PhD, and a CAMPEP-accredited residency at the University of Chicago later, Tynan found his true calling. After training, and a short clinical stint in the United States, the pull of home proved irresistible. 

For a young family, Cape Breton meant affordable living, short commutes and beaches instead of traffic. Professionally, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre’s integration with the largest specialized hospital in Atlantic Canada-- the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax -- allowed Tynan to tap into research collaborations and state-of-the-art resources. 

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he says. “I get the personal comfort of a small, tight-knit community and the professional support of a large, academic centre.”

As a therapeutic medical physicist, Tynan plays a vital role in cancer care, ensuring radiation treatments are delivered safely, accurately and effectively. “We make sure that the radiation dose prescribed by a radiation oncologist is delivered precisely—both in terms of total dose and its exact location,” he explains. 

Medical physicists also maintain and monitor the complex machines used in treatment and imaging, supervise safety protocols, and often serve as radiation safety officers. At Nova Scotia Health, many also contribute to research, education and the development of new techniques and technologies.

“These academic facets of the job give us the opportunity to improve cancer care not just today, but for years to come,” he says.

In a smaller centre like at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, every day can be different. “Some days I spend focused on clinical tasks like treatment planning, machine Quality Assurance (QA), or responding to troubleshooting calls from the clinic floor. Other days I am fully academic, working on a research project or new lecture series or attending thesis defenses. Some days are dedicated to committee meetings working on policies and protocols.” 

Tynan’s favourite part about working in Cape Breton is his colleagues. “The people who work here are absolutely top notch. The team is focused on quality patient care and work together towards this goal,” he says. The island’s nighttime dark-sky splendour appeals to his inner stargazer, and the natural beauty offers the kind of work-life balance that you can’t always find in the big city. 

Tynan’s proudest chapter is unfolding right now: the multi-year redevelopment of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, slated to welcome its first patients in the near future. From radiation shielding design to equipment procurement, he has a front-row seat. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Knowing I’ve helped shape a facility that will care for my neighbours and my own family – there’s nothing more rewarding,” he says. 

For people interested in becoming a medical physicist, Tynan’s advice is, “It’s an incredibly rewarding career, which offers the stability of healthcare employment and the freedom of academic work.” He adds that to really excel, you need to be strong in both parts. Be proficient with the underlying physical radiological physics to understand and advise other professionals in the treatment of patients, and you also need to be able to work effectively in such an interdisciplinary medical environment. 

Whether he’s calculating dose distributions or admiring constellations over Bras d’Or Lake, Tynan Stevens reminds us that innovation doesn’t only happen in towering urban hospitals. Sometimes it’s right here at home, where the stars are brighter, the commutes are shorter, and dedicated professionals are quietly transforming cancer care for all of Nova Scotia.

Thinking of a career as a medical physicist? Learn more and apply today! 

Explore more exciting career opportunities in rural Nova Scotia and experience diverse responsibilities that will enhance your skills and foster your growth in a collaborative environment. Learn more about working in rural Nova Scotia and discover the diver opportunities today!

Photos of (1) Tynan Stevens, (2) members of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre team, and (3) Rendering of the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre.