1. New Year's Resolution: Ask a Friend to Join SDMS
2. SDMS Bylaws Changes Proposed
3. LAST CALL for Commitee Volunteers
4. It's Okay to Talk Back to Other Members!
5. Updated APS® Application and Guidelines Available
6. A BIG Time in BIG D---Be There!
7. CLEARANCE - Get 'em While They Last!!
8. News & Notes
9. Important Dates

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) continues to grow! We're the largest sonographer professional association in the world! That's because the SDMS is actively listening to our members and offering the services and benefits they need...when they need it. Whether you need continuing education, registry review materials, or professional liablity insurance, you can find it at SDMS. And SDMS is working for you every day in the legislative and regulatory arena to protect sonographers from a wide variety of threats that could affect your career.

Your friends and co-workers may also need many of the same things you receive each year as part of your SDMS membership. Take a few minutes and ask them to join SDMS and help us make SDMS the strongest voice possible. United We Scan!

For a complete list of membership benefits or a membership application, visit:

During the past year, the Bylaws Committee has reviewed the SDMS' Bylaws and has now finalized its proposed revisions for the Society's governance document. The Committee believes that the proposed revisions will create a more stable document (requiring less frequent revision) and provide for greater governance flexibility. The Committee's work will culminate in March 2003 when the SDMS Board of Directors votes on the proposed revisions. As specified in the current SDMS Bylaws, the membership must be notified at least 30 days prior to the time the Board votes on proposed revisions to the Bylaws. This provides an opportunity for member review and input.

SDMS members can view the proposed revisions to the Bylaws at:

Any SDMS member who does not have Internet access may request a hardcopy of the proposed revisions by contacting the SDMS Headquarters at 800-229-9506. Members who wish to comment on the proposed revisions may do so by sending their comments to: bylaws@sdms.org or by mailing them to the SDMS Headquarters at:

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Attention: Bylaws Committee
2745 N Dallas Pkwy Ste 350
Plano, Texas 75093-8730

Interested in becoming a national volunteer for SDMS? Would you like to have a hand in shaping the Society and the profession? Make a difference and volunteer today! Each year, members volunteer their time and services to the SDMS in a many ways. The Committee opportunities are tailored to fit the most diverse interests and time availability of our members. Whatever you are looking for, we have a volunteer opportunity to accommodate your interests!

SDMS members have an important tool available to them that makes it easy to ask questions of other members in your area, across the country, or around the world! There are currently 31 separate SDMS Discussion Forums available for your use 24x7. Each forum contains many different topics. If you don't see what you need, post a question. The forums include:

• Education
  + Educators
  + National Certification Examinations
  + SDMS Educational Foundation
  + Students
  + Ultrasound Practitioner
• Other
  + Career/Job Issues
  + Government Affairs
  + Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI)
  + Reimbursement
  + Research
  + Veterinary Ultrasound
• Regional Discussions
  + International
  + Region 1 [AK,CA,HI,ID,OR,NV,WA]
  + Region 2 [CO,MT,NE,ND,SD,UT,WY]
  + Region 3 [AR,AZ,KS,LA,NM,OK,TX]
  + Region 4 [IA,IL,IN,MN,MO,OH,MI,WI]
  + Region 5 [CT,DC,DE,MA,MD,ME,NH,NJ,NY,PA,RI,WV,VT]
  + Region 6 [AL,FL,GA,KY,MS,NC,SC,TN,VA]
  + Region 7 [Canada]
• Specialty Content Areas
  + Abdomen (AB)
  + Adult Echocardiography (AE)
  + Breast (BR)
  + Cardiovascular Principles & Instrumentation (CPI)
  + Neurosonology (NE)
  + OB/GYN (OB)
  + Ophthalmology (OP)
  + Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)
  + Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation (UPI)
  + Vascular Principles & Instrumentation (VPI)
  + Vascular (VT)
• Technical Support
  + Tips on using the SDMS Discussion Forums

To access the SDMS Discussion Forums, visit:

An updated informational packet about the Advanced Practice Sonographer® (APS®) membership application approval and renewal process is now available on the SDMS website at:

The APS® Application and Guidelines include the application, documentation forms, and the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the APS® requirements and process. This publication has been designed to clarify the APS® process and get you started toward SDMS APS® membership and is required for use when applying for this membership category beginning January 1, 2003. For additional information about the all SDMS membership categories, please visit the SDMS website at:

  http://www.sdms.org/membership/default.asp

October 16-19, 2003
SDMS 2003 Annual Conference
Dallas, Texas

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography will host their 2003 Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion in Dallas, Texas.

Featuring four Pre-Conference Tutorials:

• Educators Tutorial: debate issues important to sonography educators
• Vascular Extravaganza: hear and see masters of vascular ultrasound
• Day with the Experts: gain scanning secrets from the stars in all specialties
• Veterinary Ultrasound: try your hand in a hands-on scanning laboratory

…And the most comprehensive 2 ½ days of continuing education in sonography!

The main program provides a menu of five educational tracks in ob/gyn, abdomen, vascular, cardiac, and practice strategies. With more than 60 presentations to select from, you can design your own conference curriculum-stay in one track or visit them all! With a spectacular exhibit hall, let-loose social events, and lots of southern hospitality, it's no wonder it's the place to be!

 * * * 50% OFF * * *

SDMS Baseball Caps

Six panel unstructured, washed cotton denim cap has a brass gripper closure with denim strap that allows the cap to adjust to any size. Available with either the "Image is Everything" logo or the "United We Scan" logo embroidered on the front.

To print an order form, visit:

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

• Breast Ultrasound: ICD-9-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity
  http://www.medicarenhic.com/lmrp/final/ne/00-4R2.htm



• Musculoskeletal ultrasound on the rise, may yield cost savings
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=57298



• Embryology (Dr. Mark Hill, The University of New South Wales, Australia)
  http://anatomy.med.unsw.edu.au/cbl/embryo/Embryo.htm#start



• AHA/ACC releases new echocardiography guidelines
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=57271



• Aneurysm Tests Could Save Lives, if Performed
  http://www.ardms.org/newswire/01272003/01272003.html#test



• First trimester sonography better than later for detection of Down syndrome
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=wom&Pag=dis&ItemId=57051