Faculty & Staff Spotlights
Kosegi recognized for years of dedication to Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences
July 11, 2013
After 36 years of service to IU, Judy E. Kosegi has retired from the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences.
Judy Kosegi, associate professor director of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, retires after 36 years of service to the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the IU School of Medicine.
Kosegi, who officially retired June 30, most recently served as associate professor and director of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, the only accredited bachelor’s degree program of its kind in the state.
Kosegi "has been a wonderful educator, mentor, role model and administrator,” said Valerie P. Jackson, M.D., professor and chair of radiology and imaging sciences and Eugene C. Klatte Professor of Radiology at the IU School of Medicine. "We thank her for many years of dedication to educating many of the country’s finest. We will miss her.”
Over the years, Kosegi built the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program into a well-respected program, receiving maximum accreditation, and her students have averaged nearly 100 percent in first pass rate for registry. Her career at IU has also included service as acting technologist director, clinical instructor in nuclear medicine, instructor in radiologic sciences, assistant professor in radiologic sciences and associate professor in radiologic sciences. She received tenure in 1985.
Beginnings
Kosegi chats with a colleague during a retirement party held in her honor.
“I like critters,” said Kosegi, who’s been passionate about science since before she can even remember. “I’ve always been interested in biology.”
A proud IU faculty member and alumna, Kosegi earned associate and bachelor’s degrees in radiologic technology, a certificate in nuclear medicine technology and two master’s degrees in education from IU after coming to Indianapolis in 1968. She became interested in nuclear medicine following completion of her undergraduate degrees and after working at several local hospitals.
“Nuclear medicine was merging, changing and growing,” she recalled.
Dedication
With grandparents who served as missionaries for more than 40 years, and parents who enthusiastically pursued their careers, it’s easy to see where Kosegi gets her persistence and dedication.
She is responsible for naming the program “nuclear medicine technology” and credited with bringing a much more formal structure to the program, which started in 1967.
A sweet treat bids Kosegi a fond farewell.
“The program has changed a lot because the technology changes and evolves with time,” Kosegi said, adding that one common denominator in the program over the years is that “when students come out of the program, they’re well prepared for a vast array of jobs.
“There are a lot of superstar students,” she added. “They’re good kids.”
Kosegi added that she worked hard to keep her courses fresh and interesting over nearly 40 years at IU.
“The field is always changing,” she said. “It’s never the same thing every day.”
Future
Immediately following retirement, Kogegi looks forward to a family party for her grandkids. She's also eager to move to Florida, where she and her husband have a house in Lake Mary, a suburb of the Greater Orlando area.
She also looks forward to working on the house.
“We’re adding a huge garage addition for my husband’s toys,” she jokes, noting that her husband has a passion for Lotus cars, machines and tools.
Kosegi‘s position will be filled by Cybil Nielsen, previously a resident of Louisville, Ky.
