1. FDA Cautions Against Ultrasound 'Keepsake' Images
2. Reminder: Call for Action - ARDMS Prerequisite #2
3. SDMS Clearance Blowout Sale
4. How Are We Doing?
5. Mardi Gras may be over but there's still time to GET JAZZED!
6. News & Notes
7. Important Dates

In its January-February issue of FDA Consumer Magazine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discourages expectant mothers from receiving "casual" ultrasound imaging. To read the article, visit:

For additional information including the SDMS position statement on this issue, visit:

To discuss the issue, visit the SDMS Discussion Forums at:

Less than one month to submit your comments to the ARDMS on Prerequisite #2. The SDMS Board of Directors has submitted its comments and is asking all members to send in their comments prior to the deadline of March 31. The SDMS Board believes that if Prerequisite 2 is changed, it would undermine 20 years worth of effort to establish appropriate educational standards for the sonography profession.

The SDMS Board of Directors supports the current language of ARDMS' Prerequisite 2 which can be fulfilled by demonstrating that the applicant has completed one of the following: "CAAHEP-approved (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) or CMA-approved (Canadian Medical Association) ultrasound/vascular technology education program."

The ARDMS has prescribed a very specific process and format for comments to be submitted. If comments are submitted without following their process, the comments may not be considered. For more information, visit:

SDMS is only as strong as its membership and knowing how you feel about your SDMS membership is vital to us. We value your membership and want to make sure your highest expectations are met. Please take a few minutes now to visit the SDMS website to share your opinions of SDMS and the benefits currently offered as part of your membership:

September 30-October 3, 2004
Hyatt Regency New Orleans at Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, LA

SAVE THE DATES! MAKE YOUR PLANS! Be a part of the most comprehensive 2½ days of continuing education designed for sonographers by sonographers!

Preconference Tutorials

• NEW--Women's Imaging Tutorial: gain scanning secrets from the stars of women's imaging
• Vascular Extravaganza: hear and see masters of vascular ultrasound
• Educators Tutorial: separate tracks for new and advanced educators

The main program provides a menu of five educational tracks: 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!

Lively interactive panel discussions on:

• Job vs. Career: Which Do You Want and How Do you Get It?
• Contrast and 3D Echo
• Ultrasound Physics: What Has Changed Since You Passed Your Boards? What You Should Know and What's the Future?

With a spectacular Exhibit Hall, Mardi Gras Madness party, and all that the 'Big Easy' has to offer, SDMS and New Orleans…a combination that can't be beat!

Registration information will be available in May. For more information, 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