1. Did You Have a BIG Time in BIG D?
2. Earn CME Credits as a Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Author
3. JDMS Associate Editor Position Available
4. Ultrasound Pioneer Passes
5. News & Notes
6. Important Dates

If so, you were part of the second largest Annual Conference in SDMS history!

If not, here's what you missed:

This was my first SDMS conference. What a wonderful experience. It was reassuring to know that the standards and protocols I abide by are acceptable practices across the sonography community. I also learned additional scanning techniques for enhancing my studies. I will definitely attend next year. Thank you SDMS! - Elain Ahnee, San Antonio, TX

Thank you for a job well done! My professional pride swells. - Leah Brosig, RT, RDMS, RVT, San Marcos, TX

• Read more comments from conference attendees
  http://www.sdms.org/meetings/accomments.asp

And now you can see for yourself:

• Annual Conference Photos
  http://www.sdms.org/meetings/ac2003/photos/default.asp



• Boo Bash Photos
  http://www.sdms.org/meetings/ac2003/boobash/default.asp

Marcia Chavez Wins the Texas "Tawk" Contest

Marcia Chavez, RDMS, from Roselle, Illinois is the lucky winner of the Texas "Tawk" Contest held at the SDMS 2003 Annual Conference in Dallas. Congratulations to Marcia who will receive a SDMS PRIDE item of her choice. Thanks to all who entered and provided such creative and humorous answers. This is how the "tawk" is translated in Texas:

Stringin’ a whizzer = Telling a tall tale
Cookie Duster = Moustache
Big hat, No cattle = All talk, No action

Virtual Exhibit Hall Open

A BIG THANKS to the exhibitors who helped make the conference a huge success. Although the BIG Time in Big D is over, you can still visit our Virtual Exhibit Hall at:

• Virtual Exhibit Hall
  http://www.sdms.org/meetings/vhall/default.asp

Conference Proceedings Available to SDMS Members

This year's conference featured a new way of delivering the Annual Conference Proceedings. In past years, a heavy book containing the speakers' course syllabi was included in the conference tote bags. This year, each registrant received the entire Annual Conference Proceedings on a single CD. But don't worry...we know that not everyone can attend the SDMS Annual Conference every year (although you should try!), so we have posted the Annual Conference Proceedings in the Members-Only area of our website. All SDMS members are welcome to view/print course syllabi from the conference - an exclusive benefit of SDMS membership!

• View/Print Annual Conference Proceedings
  http://www.sdms.org/members/ac2003syllabi/default.asp

     Members only - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

Mark Your Calendars NOW!

Recently a member suggested that SDMS offer CME credits for authoring articles published in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS). We already do! For years the SDMS has offered 10 CME credits for this activity, but authors often forget to apply for this credit after their article is published.

Additionally, this benefit is FREE to SDMS members. If you have had an article published in the JDMS, just send the following documentation to SDMS Headquarters within 6 months of the publication date of your article to apply for 10 FREE CME credits:

1. "Application for Continuing Medical Education Credit - Speakers/Authors/Editors", form B-4 in the Appendix of the Continuing Medical Education Guidelines, http://www.sdms.org/pdf/cmeguidelines.pdf
2. Copy of the published article, with journal title, volume, and number
3. SDMS will send you a certificate for 10 SDMS CME credits

For members who have not yet written or submitted an article for publication in the JDMS, don't forget this is a great way to earn 10 FREE CME credits. An "Information for Authors" publication that provides new authors with important information about the process of writing research articles and case studies is available at http://www.sdms.org/pdf/jdmsauthor.pdf.

Complete information and other CME credit opportunities are available on the SDMS website at http://www.sdms.org/cme/default.asp.

The SDMS would like to announce a new volunteer leadership position: the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS) Associate Editor. This position will report directly to the JDMS Editor and will require a minimum one-year commitment. If you are interested in working with sonography's leading journal, please fax or email your "Letter of Interest" and Curriculum Vitae (CV) to SDMS Headquarters: ATTN: Dawn Sanchez, by Monday, November 17, 2003. If you would like more information, please email dsanchez@sdms.org for a copy of the position's job description.

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

• Three-dimensional US offers better visualization of CBD
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=59446



• Ultrasound Guidance Boosts Thyroid Cancer Procedure
  http://www.ardms.org/newswire/10272003/10272003.html#thyroid



• Contrast ultrasound shows potential for prostate cancer detection
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=59537&d=1



• Echocardiography Points Out Cardiovascular Risks in the Elderly
  http://www.ardms.org/newswire/10202003/10202003.html#events



• Real-time perfusion testing could be useful in evaluating efficacy of MI therapy
  http://www.auntminnie.com/default.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=59463



• Identity Crisis: Protect Yourself and Your Patients from ID Theft
  http://www.ardms.org/newswire/10202003/10202003.html#theft



• Ultrasound Spots Early Heart Defects in Diabetics
  http://www.ardms.org/newswire/10062003/10062003.html#diabetes