AAPM 40th Annual Meeting August 9-13, 1998 San Antonio, Texas

Welcome to the 40th Annual Meeting. On behalf of the Local Arrangements Committee, the Southwest Regional Chapter and all the citizens of Texas and especially San Antonio, I am certain that you will not regret choosing to attend this year's event.

Mary Martel and her able assistants have put together a wonderful scientific program with refresher courses and symposia that will make it a challenge to choose where to be at what time.

As you know, this is the Centennial of the discovery of radium. Although our President is of a diagnostic bent, Larry Rothenberg has encouraged all the planners to highlight this event with special displays and symposia. Madame Curie, who, I believe, is the only person ever to receive TWO scientific Nobel prizes, has had a profound effect on radiation medicine and certainly deserves special attention this year.

What's this I hear?....San Antonio is too hot in August?? A myth; a lie...don't believe these vicious people. Well......I guess I better be honest....it does get a LITTLE WARM. BUT...do we have plans to compensate!

On Sunday evening we will have the icebreaker around the Riverwalk with an opportunity to enjoy the many clubs and restaurants afterwards just a short walk away. On Tuesday I will do my best to compare to the outing we had in 1988 with an all-evening Fiesta, with all the food, drink and music you could ask for. I know, of course, that physicists are always conservative consumers, but, if you happen to overdo it, you will be a short walk away from your hotel.

For our companions and children, the ladies of the LAC have lined-up a wonderful selection of tours at very reasonable prices and will be available throughout the meeting to help you enjoy the finest of Southwest hospitality.

If you have never been to San Antonio, please make plans to come to this meeting. I personally guarantee that you will find that Texas hospitality is real...and it is headquartered here.

Jim Marbach, Chair, Linda Marbach, Bill Bice, Royce Gragg, Bill Salter and all of the generous volunteers of the Local Arrangements Committee