1. Atlanta Hosts Second Largest SDMS Annual Conference
2. New Member Benefit - Annual Conference Proceedings
3. SDMS Represents Sonographers at Breast Ultrasound Conference
4. Spotlight on SDMS Discussion Forums
5. Federal Agency Provides Grants for Allied Health Initiatives
6. SDMS Posts Educational Program Questionnaire
7. News & Notes
8. Important Dates

Atlanta, Georgia was the host to the second largest Annual Conference in SDMS history! Almost 12,000 CME credits were issued during 4 days of tutorials and educational sessions.

• Excellent, well organized, fun , it is one of the best times for me to be joined together with such wonderful professional peers.. I always return to my place of employment with a fresh outlook and pride for the profession that I have chosen. - Katherine Benz-Campbell
• I've attended several conferences and have yet to leave disappointed. My educational needs have always been met and Speakers have always been very approachable in answering questions one-on-one. The conference has also given me the opportunity to network with fellow sonographers from all across the U.S. and abroad, which has been very helpful in keeping up with new technology, techniques, and boundless opportunities. Thank you SDMS. - Rey M Aguila
• The BEST one I've attended yet. Everything I attended was extremely well coordinated. - anonymous

If you couldn't attend the 2002 SDMS Annual Conference, you can still access much of the information presented at the conference!

SDMS is pleased to announce the availability of the 2002 SDMS Annual Conference Proceedings* in the 'members only area' of our website! The Proceedings include the course syllabus materials provided to each registrant of the SDMS Annual Conference in Atlanta. In the past, copies of the Conference Proceedings were sold for $25 each. Now, SDMS members can access the information for FREE!

The online version of the 2002 SDMS Annual Conference Proceedings includes menus sorted by conference track, specialty, and day of presentation to help you find what you are looking for!

Catherine Carr-Hoefer, RT,RDMS, RDCS, RVT, representing the SDMS, participated in the "Consensus Conference and Plan of Development for the Education, Training and Credentialing of Breast Sonographers" held in Washington, D.C. on October 13, 2002. The conference was sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and hosted by the Breast Ultrasound Foundation.

The purpose of this conference was to assemble representatives of the nation's top ultrasound, radiology and breast-cancer organizations to discuss development of a model curriculum/educational program for teaching sonographers quality breast ultrasound. Representatives shared their expertise on the newest and best approaches to education and training in breast cancer and breast ultrasound.

Ms. Carr-Hoefer provided the following quote from the Conference, "Advances in ultrasound technology have dramatically increased its application in breast imaging, which requires an increased availability of qualified breast sonographers. Recent research has shown that breast ultrasound exams, when coupled with mammograms, can provide critical diagnostic information. Because the quality of breast sonograms is highly dependent on the skill and expertise of the sonographers who perform them, certification of breast sonographers' is critical for ensuring that every breast ultrasound exam yields the most accurate clinical data. But there is a major gap between the number of women who could benefit from breast ultrasound and the numbers of competent breast sonographers available. Estimates indicate that the United States needs approximately 5,000 qualified sonographers right now, just to meet current needs." Currently, only about 500 individuals are ARDMS-credentialed in breast sonography.

Here's a recent post to the SDMS Discussion Forums on a very important topic:

We have progressed from talking to the radiologist about a case to leaving him sticky notes about what we see, now we are contemplating putting our notes in the patients record electronically. Our referring Drs will eventually be able to see the scans and reports online and potentially our notes if they happen to find them. Our discussions have been concern over what we can put there that won't appear as an interpretation. Some radiologists are worried about confusion if the information differs from what the report states. Some are worried about legal issues. I suggested a disclaimer, saying something like this is not intended to be used as an interpretation. I am curious if anyone else is running into this sort of dilema and how are you handling it. Thanks, Robin

To read the responses (or to post your own comments), visit:

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency, administers a large grant program to support 'innovations and targeted expansions in health professions education and training'. A listing of Allied Health grant applications for fiscal year '03 can be accessed at:

In addition to Allied Health funding initiatives, HRSA also provides student assistance in the form of scholarships and loans for students considering health careers. More information can be accessed at:

In response to inquiries from prospective DMS students about educational programs, accreditation, and certification eligibility, SDMS has posted a document entitled, "Selecting a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program" in the Career section of our website. The document includes an Educational Program Questionaire to assist prospective students in deciding which educational program is right for them.

Please refer prospective DMS students, career/guidance counselors, and educators to this helpful information.

The News & Notes column includes links to web-based news articles of interest to sonographers. To submit articles, send the URL to webmaster@sdms.org

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography Designated Allied Health Profession of the Month
  http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/10_02.html



• The parlous state of UK radiology
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=imc&Pag=dis&ItemId=56211



• French League Against Cancer Reviews Clinical Trial Protocols
  http://www.advanceforirt.com/xtfeature2.html