SDMS Sound News

Volume 7, Issue 11          November 30, 2005                ISSN 1543-0448

 
  In This Issue...
  1. SDMS Concerned about Actor's Use of "Sonogram Machine"
  2. Revised AAA Amendment Has Passed the Senate
  3. SDMS Founders Reunite at the Annual Conference Gala Event
  4. JDMS Archive and CME Tests Available Online
  5. Is Your Registry Certification About to Expire?
  6. Nomination Forms Online
  7. SDMS Holiday Schedule
  8. News & Notes
  9. Important Dates

This issue of SDMS Sound News is sponsored by GE Healthcare, a PLATINUM sponsor of SDMS.
GE Healthcare is the leading global pharmaceutical provider of diagnostic imaging products. GE Healthcare is dedicated to providing healthcare professionals with products that expand and improve their diagnostic capabilities and contribute to the treatment of disease. With a focus in cardiovascular imaging, GE Healthcare markets Optison (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres for Injection, USP) for use in echocardiography.

SDMS Sound News is a way of sharing important or time-sensitive news with our members. It supplements our print newsletter, News Wave, and provides links to new information and services available on the SDMS web site. SDMS Sound News is published monthly. An archive of past issues is available at http://www.sdms.org/lists/soundnewsarchive.asp 		 
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  1. SDMS Concerned about Actor's Use of "Sonogram Machine"

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) has raised concerns about press reports that actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have purchased an ultrasound machine and will do their own sonograms. While Cruise's offer to donate the machine to a hospital after the baby is born is laudable, the Society is concerned about the safety of Cruise's decision to purchase a medical device and perform a medical diagnostic procedure without appropriate training.

The SDMS has issued a press release underlining the importance of sonograms being performed by a registered and credentialed sonographer under the supervision of a physician. To read the complete press release, please go to http://www.sdms.org/pdf/tcruisepressrelease.pdf

 
  2. Revised AAA Amendment Has Passed the Senate

On November 3, 2005, a revised AAA amendment was passed in the Senate that will institute a screening benefit linked to the Welcome to Medicare physical for certain populations -- women with a family history and those who fit the US Preventive Task Force recommendations -- beginning in 2007. The amendment was offered by Senator Rick Santorum and includes three other provisions.

To view the language of the amendment, please go to http://www.sdms.org/pdf/aaabill.pdf

This past February, in an effort to address a serious health risk for elderly Americans, Representatives John Shimkus (R- IL), Gene Green (D-TX), and Ron Lewis (R-KY) had introduced the Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act (HR 827), an initiative that would direct Medicare to cover abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. AAA is one of our nation’s most preventable but often neglected conditions taking approximately 15,000 American lives a year.

The SDMS is a member of the National Aneurysm Alliance (NAA).

For the original press release, visit http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ky02_lewis/SAAAVE.html

 
  3. SDMS Founders Reunite at the Annual Conference Gala Event

Joan Baker and L.E. Schnitzer in Dallas, TX
October 2005
In 1969, six sonographers wrote a proposal for the formation of a professional society for technical personnel performing sonographic procedures. Joan Baker and L.E. Schnitzer took this proposal to the AIUM Board of Governors meeting requesting permission to meet in conjunction with AIUM. The following year, the constitution and bylaws were written by L.E. Schnitzer. The selection of a name for the society was of great debate. Schnitzer used the term, "technical specialist" in the draft document of the constitution and this name was adopted. The society became officially known as the American Society of Ultrasound Technical Specialists (ASUTS). Joan Baker was elected the first president and L.E. Schnitzer its President-Elect in October 1970. In 1980, the name was changed to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. (excerpted from A History of SDMS' First 25 Years by Joan Baker)

 
  4. JDMS Archive and CME Tests Available Online

The SDMS is pleased to announce that a complete collection of ALL issues of the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS) is now available to SDMS members. This new, virtual database contains 21 years worth of sonography research, case studies and reports, editorials, Diagnostic Challenges, and much more, all originally published in the JDMS. With this new, expanded benefit, articles can be searched not only by title, but also by author, keyword, date, volume; making it a great tool to gather comprehensive information and research.

In addition, the November/December JDMS CME tests and table of contents for 2005 are also posted.

Please visit http://www.sdms.org/members/JDMS/highwire.asp and take a look at what's now available in the online JDMS archive.

 
  5. Is Your Registry Certification About to Expire?

The clock is ticking! Does your registry certification expire December 31? SDMS has various CME opportunities to meet your needs.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Every year around this time, some members send their CME certificates in to the SDMS instead of the ARDMS. As it gets closer to the end of the year, the delay that this causes may cause problems if your registry certification expires on December 31. Please remember to send your CME Certificates to the certification body (ARDMS or CCI) of your credential, not to the SDMS. 		 
  6. 2006 Elected Position and Award Nominations Can Be Submitted Online

SDMS members may use our online nomination form to submit their nominations for various elected positions and awards including:

Board of Directors

  • 2 open positions for "At-Large" Directors
Committee Positions
  • 4 open positions on the SDMS Nominating Committee
Awards
  • SDMS Fellow*
  • Distinguished Educator Award*
  • Joan P. Baker Pioneer Award
* Additional form(s) must also be submitted.

The deadline for all nominations is February 10, 2006. Please go to http://www.sdms.org/members/nominateform.asp for the online nomination form.

 
  7. SDMS Headquarters Holiday Schedule

The SDMS Headquarters will close early (1:00 pm Central) on Friday, December 9 so staff can attend our holiday celebration.The SDMS office will also be closed on the following days:

Friday, December 23
Monday, December 26
Friday, December 30
Monday, January 2

We wish all our members and friends a happy and safe holiday season!

 
  8. News & Notes

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

  
  9. Important Dates
2006  
February 10 Joan P. Baker Pioneer Award nomination deadline
February 10 SDMS Distinguished Educator Award nomination deadline
February 10 Fellow nomination deadline
February 10 Board of Directors Nomination deadline
March 31 SDMS Educational Foundation Scholarship deadline
June 30 SDMS Educational Foundation Research Awards deadline
July 31 SDMS Educational Foundation Scholarship deadline
July 31 SDMS Educational Foundation CME Grants deadline
Oct 12 - 15 2006 SDMS Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado
November 30 SDMS Educational Foundation Scholarship deadline
 
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© Copyright 2005. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Plano, TX. All Rights Reserved.