The Fleischner Society

The Fleischner Society is an international, multidisciplinary medical society for thoracic radiology, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the chest.  Founded in 1969 by eight radiologists whose predominant professional interests were imaging of chest diseases, the Society was named in memory of Felix Fleischner, an inspiring educator, clinician, and researcher who made many contributions to the field of chest radiology.

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IN MEMORIAM

It was sad to learn that Prof. Michio Kono, the first Asian Fleischner Society member, passed away on August 15th 2019.

He locally organized the Fleischner 2000 in Kobe with Dr Yoshiharu Ohno.  There were several lectures at the same time by Fleischner members, which was so educational and I learned a lot.  Recently I spoke with him to let him know that we are having the Fleischner Society 2020 in Osaka.  He made significant contributions to the Fleischner Society.  Dr. Kono will definitely be missed. 

I would like to pray for him with my deepest sympathies. 

Sincerely,

Yoshikazu Inoue, M.D., Ph.D.
President, The Fleischner Society

Prof. Michio Kono (1935-2019) 
Yoshiharu Ohno 
Department of Radiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine 

Prof. Michio Kono passed away on 15 August, aged 83. His remarkable intellect remained intact even as his physical condition worsened. He continued to be fully engaged scientifically at the time of his death, in close professional contact with his longtime mentees in Japan. He educated and trained many Japanese as well as Asian chest radiologists, especially his mentees in Kobe University mainly consisted with Dr. Adachi who was the president of Hyogo Cancer Center, Dr. Kusumoto who is the department chair of Diagnostic Radiology in National Cancer Center Hospital, Dr. Endo who is the department of chair of Diagnostic Radiology in Shizuoka Cancer Center, Dr. Takenaka who is the department chair of Diagnostic Radiology in Hyogo Cancer Center and me. 

Since he had operated the laryngeal cancer in 2001, he suffered ischemic heart disease, cholecystitis, ureter cancer and lung cancer, but survived. However, he was continuously working as not only clinical, but also academic Chest radiologist until he died. 

Prof. Kono graduated from Nagoya University School of Medicine in 1961 and finished his internship during 1961 and 1962 at National Himeji Hospital. He received his MD and PhD degrees from Kobe University School of Medicine in 1966. 

In 1966, he was appointed Lecturer of Radiology in Kobe University, and became Associate Professor in 1978. 

In 1981, he became professor and chair of radiology at Nagoya City University. One year later, he traveled to the U.S.A. to pursue a research fellowship as Visiting Professor in the department of Radiology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he received the front line of research of the revolutionary new diagnostic machine, MR imaging. After coming back to Japan, he expended tremendous effort to introduce the leading edge of MRI research. 

In 1986, he became professor and chair of radiology at the Kobe University School of Medicine, in 1987 he established the Japanese Society of Thoracic Radiology (JSTR) for enhancement of the diagnostic Thoracic Imaging. 

In 1998, he became Professor Emeritus, Kobe University and President of Hyogo Cancer Center. He retired as President in 2002 and became Medical Adviser of Hyogo Health Service Association and President Emeritus, Hyogo Cancer Center. 

Prof. Kono had published more than 80 book chapters and more than 750 papers in English and Japanese. 

Prof. Kono was a member of many societies including RSNA, STR, JSR, etc. Especially he had been the first Asian member of the Fleishner Society and acted as a local organizer of the 30th Annual Meeting of The Fleischner Society in 2000. This meeting was the first annual meeting in Asia, and many members and supposes might be impressed his heartwarming hospitality and enjoy Kobe, Himeji and Kyoto. 

Prof. Kono will be remembered as an outstanding scientist. His articles and books cover three main area: 1) chest radiograph, especially radiographic evaluation of mediastinal lines and stripes, 2) lung cancer imaging and treatment, and 3) clinical applications of MR imaging in solitary pulmonary nodule, lung cancer and mediastinal tumors. For his work, he has received a number of prestigious academic prizes such as the honorary member of Asian Society of Thoracic Radiology, the lifetime achievement award at the 3rd World Congress of Thoracic Imaging, the gold medal of Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology, etc. He also served in many academic functions such as President of JSTR, etc. and held several annual meetings as the meeting president such as The Japan Lung Cancer Society in 1996, Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology in 1997 and Japan Radiological Society in 1998. Above all, Prof. Kono was an inspiration to all who had the chance of working with him. He had a piercing mind, he loved the academic battle and he hated any kind of dishonesty. It was important for him to follow and foster the career of his many collaborators and colleagues. Throughout his career and as a chairman of the Department of Radiology in Kobe University as well as Nagoya City University, he shouldered a full teaching load. He was a brilliant and engaging role model for all medical students, residents and younger radiologists. 

Moreover, many of Fleischnerians remember Prof. Kono was also a nice Karaoke singer with a great baritone singing voice before his surgery and a great golf player, although he was a scholar, a leader in Chest radiology, a wonderful man, and a great friend and host. He will be sorely missed. Prof. Kono leaves behind his wife Etsuko, whom he had lovingly cared for during the final years of his life.