1. When and how did you get involved with cardiovascular ultrasound?
I received my first taste of cardiac ultrasound in the fall of 1991 while attending the ultrasound program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. I had enjoyed my clinical rotations in general ultrasound, vascular and OB, but as soon as I saw images of a beating heart, I was hooked.
2. What is your current position?
I have worked as a cardiac research sonographer for Dr. Paul Grayburn at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas for the past 10 years. Technically, I work for the Baylor Research Institute, which is a part of Baylor, but my work is directed by Dr. Grayburn.
3. At what type of facility do you work?
Baylor is a large 1,000+ bed teaching hospital with a cardiology fellowship program.
4. When and how did you get involved with ASE? My first boss and mentor, Dr. Joe Kisslo, encouraged me in 1995 to become involved in ASE and be an active participant, not just a bystander. Since that time, I have been privileged to serve on many ASE committees and have been invited frequently to speak at the annual ASE Scientific Sessions. My most recent appointment has been to the ASE Board of Directors, and I am honored to serve.
5. Why do you volunteer for ASE? Getting involved with the ASE has been one of the best decisions I've made to further my professional growth. Continuing to volunteer has not only furthered this growth, but it has also forged many lifelong friendships with colleagues from coast-to-coast. The ASE is very good at opening doors, but you have to knock!
6. What is your advice for sonographers that want to get more involved with their profession and ASE?
Get involved! Why wait? Sign up to become a member, then go to www.asecho.org and sort through the many possibilities. There are all sorts of councils and committees that need energetic volunteers!
7. What is your vision for sonographers in the future?
My vision for cardiovascular sonographers is very bright! Echocardiography has continued to flourish and progress despite the increasing costs of healthcare and the pressures for reimbursement. No other imaging modality can produce anatomic, pathologic and hemodynamic feedback on a portable platform in real time while causing no harm to the patient. This amazing, lifesaving technology does require, however, sonographers! Ours is truly a free hand technique that is only as good as the one wielding the probe. It is therefore requisite that sonographers continually strive to improve upon themselves, and one of the most effective ways to accomplish this is becoming involved with the ASE.