Methods for producing radioisotopes required for nuclear-medicine procedures using particle accelerators with small dimensions that can easily be located within a standard-sized laboratory are described. In particular, a method for producing Mo-99 from a target consisting of Zr-96 via an (a, n) reaction has several advantages over current methods used to produce Mo-99. The Zr-96 target contains a stable isotope and does not have the proliferation or RDD implications of the U-235 targets that are currently used. A nuclear reactor is not required to produce the Mo-99. The Mo-99 can be isolated from the target material without interference from multiple fission products. The separation of Mo-99 from Zr-96 is straightforward. In addition, rotation of a thin circular target disk or spooling of a metallic wire target that provides for maximum use of the a-particles and quick dissolution of the target material is novel, to the best of our knowledge. The method should be applicable to the production of many other medical radioisotopes by using the appropriate targets and separation procedures.