Frances Kontzen Memorial Lecture

Frances Kontzen passed away January 22, 1998. She was instrumental in the formation of the Alabama Society of Nuclear Medicine (ASNM), serving as the first president and in many capacities as one of the founders of the ASNM. Her expertise and diligent efforts led to many State Chapters being formed. She also helped in the formation of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) serving as a founding member. She received national honors for her work when she received an appointment as Emeritus Member of the International Society of Nuclear Medicine and inclusion the publication “Who’s Who in the World of Science.” A dear friend to many in the Nuclear Medicine Community, Fran Kontzen will long be remembered for her dedication and efforts in our field.

Bernard Williams Memorial Lecture

Bernard Williams passed away in March of 1992. He was the Radiation Safety Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical System in Birmingham, Alabama. He was instrumental in helping to form the current Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at UAB which had its origin in the VA system. He, too, is a founding member of the Alabama Society of Nuclear Medicine. He is remembered for his many contributions to Nuclear Medicine throughout his career.

Richard Beschi Lecture

Richard Beschi was the first educational director of the UAB Nuclear Medicine Technology Program. Richard served as director from its inception as a VA program and for numerous years after it was made a baccalaureate degree program at UAB. He was the primary designer of the program’s curriculum and worked closely with individuals such as Dr. Welby Tauxe, Frances Kontzen, and Bernard Williams to mold the program into one of the best in the country.
After retirement from the Veterans Affairs Medical System in Birmingham, Richard still lives with his wife of many years, Martha, in Gardendale, Alabama. Richard has recently had cataract surgery and two hip replacements. Truly this makes him a bionic man. He and Martha have been able to travel to various parts of the United States and enjoy life. Recently he commented that he had a 166MHZ computer and, at his age, he didn’t need anything faster!
We wish Richard very many more years of good health and we thank him for his many years of loyal dedication to his students and nuclear medicine technology education in Alabama.