1. SDMS 2004 Election Results
2. 10 Steps to Protecting Your Computer
3. Early Bird Registration Ends August 6
4. Distance Learning/Higher Education Resources Available
5. Promote MUAM in Your Workplace and Community
6. MUAM Posters Mailed with JDMS
7. SDMS Begins Offering AMA Category 1 Credit
8. Certification News
9. News & Notes
10. Important Dates

The results from the 2004 elections have been certified and reported to the SDMS headquarters by an independent accounting firm. Elections were held for three Regional Director positions (will serve on the SDMS Board of Directors) and four positions on the Society's Nominating Committee. Election winners included:

Regional Directors

Region 1 - Joy Guthrie

Region 5 - Marsha Neumyer

Region 6 - Felicia Jones

Nominating Committee

Diane Burda

Susan Murphey

Debbra Soffer

Kerry Weinberg

No, these are not "the sky is falling" rants...they are serious facts about today's computer world...and they directly affect each member of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). Most computer users don't give security a second thought but the reality is that failure to take some simple steps could result in identity theft or worse.

Hackers have thousands of tools at their disposal to take advantage of you including tools such as keystroke loggers. Keystroke loggers record every single keystroke you type on your computer...this includes your private email messages, your bank account password, and your credit card numbers! If you are connected to the Internet via a high-speed connection (DSL or cable), hackers can turn your computer into a "zombie" to launch attacks against thousands of other users and computers.

The SDMS Information Technology Department has prepared an important article on how you can protect your computer and your personal information. We're asking that all SDMS members read the article at:

Hurry! All you have to do is:

1. Go to: http://www.sdms.org/meetings/ and register online with a credit card.



2. Go to: http://www.sdms.org/meetings/resources/ac2004hotel.pdf and download/complete the form. Then fax your hotel reservations to the Hyatt New Orleans (Important: SDMS' room block has sold out before the cut-off date for the last 2 years! Make your reservation TODAY!)
   
   
3. Get ready to GET JAZZED!

• SDMS CME credits for main program: up to 17.5
• Additional optional SDMS CME credits: up to 9.5

The SDMS Career Development Committee (CDC) has produced two new educational resources that are available to SDMS members online. The Distance Learning Educational Clearinghouse provides information about educational programs offering distance education opportunities including sonography degree programs. The SDMS Career Development Committee developed this resource to demonstrate the online educational opportunities that are available for sonographers who are interested in pursuing additional education options.

The Sonographer Higher Education Pathways is a flow chart created to outline options/outcomes for sonographers who may be interested in pursuing higher education opportunities.

For more information, visit:

All current SDMS members will receive a complimentary copy of the 2004 Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month poster with both their July/August 2004 AND September/October issues of the JDMS. The folded poster can be found inside the plastic bag covering your issue of JDMS.

Bracco Diagnostics, Inc., through their generous sponsorship of this mailing, has joined the SDMS to help increase public awareness about medical ultrasound and its multiple applications. Proudly display this attractive poster, "Sound Insight", in your office, clinic, hospital, and classroom during October 2004.

Do you work in more than one location and would like to display this poster in all of them? Additional copies may be purchased from SDMS at $4 for SDMS members and $6 for non-members. For more information, visit:

Earlier this year, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing education for physicians.

The SDMS 2004 Annual Conference in New Orleans has been designated for up to 13 hours of Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physicians Recognition Award. For more information, visit:

  http://www.sdms.org/meetings/ama.asp

Three of the SDMS National Certification Examination Review books (Abdomen, OB/Gyn, Vascular Technology) have been reviewed and designated for AMA Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physicians Recognition Award. For more information, visit:

ARDMS

Fetal Echocardiography Examination

The new ARDMS Fetal Echocardiography Examination is now available. The Fetal Echocardiography Content Outline is available at:

  http://www.ardms.org/examinations/fe.htm

New and Improved: ARDMS Online Status Verification

Employers and others concerned about accurate, current ARDMS certification status can now confirm the status of sonographers and/or vascular technologists by visiting the new and improved "Status Verification" section of the ARDMS Web site. The online system allows you to list: 1) ARDMS Directory of Registrants, 2) Persons Currently Under ARDMS Sanction, and 3) Persons No Longer Certified.

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