Jean Machacek Memorial Award

The Jean Machacek Memorial Award is named after Jean Machacek who was an exemplary technologist in the state of Idaho from 1959 – 1978. This award is given to honor individuals in the profession of Radiological Technology. A nominee for this award shall be: 1) an active member or retired member of the ISRT, (2) worked as a technologist in the State of Idaho for at least five years, and (3) not have been a previous recipient of this award. The following is a short biography of Jean’s life and service followed by a list of previous recipients.

About Jean Thompson Machacek

Jean Margaret Thompson was born April 4, 1918 in Twin Falls, Idaho. She married Alvin Machacek in Emmett, Idaho, in June 1973, and lived in the Buhl Castleford area. Jean’s ISRT activity began May 23, 1959 when Fairy Bowen, RT(R), introduced her at the annual conference for “having received her RT that year.” During the conference proceedings she was elected vice president because the ISRT was in need of some capable hands to take over the scrap book. Jean Thompson, RT(R) and Myrtle Stearly, RT(R) volunteered to act as state historians. Everyone who attended the annual conference this year in Pocatello can testify that these two ladies have done a fabulous job of recording our history. By the time 1962 arrived, the annual meeting was being held jointly with the ASRT in Seattle Washington, Jean was the President. Holding her position as historian, she served as conference chairman for the next two years. In 1965, Jean continued service as an executive board member, historian and official photographer. Her years of service kept adding up and by the time 1970 arrived, Jean was the Northwest Conference delegate. This position kept her busy organizing vacation time so that she could attend the ISRT Conferences, the Northwest Conference, and the ASRT Conference. She represented Idaho so well that she was elected President of the 1974 Northwest Conference. This three year position kept her extremely busy. These responsibilities weren’t phased out until Conference 1977, when she turned her delegate’s duties over to Bob Stevens, RT(R). May 1976 found the ISRT members honoring Jean with the “RT of the Year” award. Jean was honored again in May 1977 with a life time membership in the Society. This resume is only a fraction of the numerous activities and responsibilities in which Jean participated. She was a member of the Clear Lakes Toast Mistress Club, the St. Andrews Society, the order of the Eastern Star of Buhl, a Red Cross First Aid Instructor, a Home Health Care service worker, and an RN in the position of Nursing Supervisor of Magic Valley Memorial Hospital. This last position brought her into numerous activities with the Idaho Nurses Association. Jean will always be remembered for the many fine things she accomplished. Lastly, Jean Thompson Machacek died in an automobile accident August 14, 1978.

The Award

The Jean Thompson Machacek Memorial Award is given at state society meetings and the trophy is passed from one recipient to the next. To receive the Jean Machacek Award a nominee must be an individual who possesses the following attributes:

Has a solid knowledge of the field of Radiologic Technology or Medical Imaging.
Demonstrates a selfless commitment to the profession.
Shows enthusiastic support to the Society by consistently being actively involved in the Society.
Demonstrates service to the Society by performance of a duty within the ISRT.
Demonstrates leadership in the profession.
Utilizes and shares expertise, which positively affects the profession, peers, students, and profession.
Has contributed to the profession in the areas of research, publication, and presentation.
Continually seeks to improve knowledge above and beyond the requirements of the profession.
Understands and practices ethics, morality, and professionalism.
Demonstrates leadership, commitment to quality, and responsibility.

Previous Recipients of the Jean Machacek Memorial Award:

1966 Cecil Watson
1967 Norman Coe
1968 Ila Howard
1969 Jim Madden
1970 Sister Mary Boniface
1972 Sister M. Carolyn
1976 Jean Machacek
1977 Lea Birr
1978 Jolyn Lawson
1981 Donna Auer
1982 Jona Post
1983 Thomas Kraker
1984 Jana Hughes
1985 C. Mellinger
1986 Thomas Kraker
1987 Randall Pickett
1991 Joanne Eisenbarth
1995 Gary Watkins
1996 Debbie Reinke
1997 Duane McCrorie
1998 Richelle Lasley
1999 Debbie Murray
2002 Lynda Snider
2003 Scott Staley
2004 Virginia Kantola
2005 Dan Hobbs
2009 Joel Rogers
2012 Rikki Waller
2013 Joie Burns
2015 Mike Gurr
2016 Ivana Hanners
2017 Candice Moore
2022 Wendy Mickelsen