Matthew J. Keilly was born September 17, 1900 in New York City. He stayed in this area to receive his education and then became employed in 1924 by a machine manufacturing company. In 1935, he joined Eastman Kodak Company and was later a sales representative in a territory that included Iowa.
It was during his years in Iowa that he became a true friend to the Iowa Society of Radiologic Technologists. His generosity with his personal time resulted in educational and social endeavors during annual meetings and district functions. The consensus of those who knew Matthew Keilly was that he was a dedicated man and he helped people to excel and grow in their chosen professions.
On January 27, 1963, at the ISRT Executive Committee meeting, Mr. R. S. Macy informed the committee that Matthew Keilly died while vacationing in Mexico a couple days before the meeting. The news spread of his death, and on that day a friend of Matthew Keilly’s wished to make a donation in his name to the ISRT in hopes that a memorial could be established.
The ISRT’s historian files show that the first contribution of $50.00 was received on January 28, 1963. In February of 1963, the Board of Directors became aware that there were others who wished to contribute and determined this should be a permanent memorial. The Matthew J. Keilly Fund was officially established.
The ISRT continued to receive contributions from districts, members, friends and colleagues. In 1964, the ISRT matched the amount in the fund, making the total approximately $1,000.00.
At the 1964 Annual Meeting, it was announced that the Matthew J. Keilly Memorial Award would be presented to the First Place Scientific Paper presented at the Annual Meeting. Sister Anne Marie Stickling was the first recipient of the Matthew J. Keilly Memorial Award.
The award continued to be given to the First Place Scientific Paper until 1968, when the Executive Committee and membership approved inviting a guest lecturer to receive the award.
At the 1969 Annual Meeting, the members voted that the interest earned from the fund should be used for public relations and educational purposes. The Executive Committee, abiding by this directive, determined that the Matthew J. Keilly Memorial Award would be presented to a technologist who had been outstanding in their contribution to further the science of radiologic technology in Iowa.
This practice continued through 2011, with the recipient of the award receiving a plaque and a $375.00 honorarium. In keeping with the purpose of the fund and in meeting the needs of the technologists in Iowa, the Board of Directors used the balance in the Matthew J. Keilly Memorial Fund to develop and enhance the Iowa Society of Radiologic Technologists’ website.
In 2013, the ISRT was able to honor one of its members with the Matthew J. Keilly Memorial as the fund was replenished. The ISRT and its members who have perpetuated this memorial can certainly be proud of their endeavors and farsightedness. The recipients have honored the name of Matthew J. Keilly.
