2010 SVU Annual Conference

Upcoming SVU Events you should not miss!!

2010-06-17T17:56:00.001-04:00

Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation™ (RPVI) Exam Review Course

September 24–26, 2010 / Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel / New Orleans, LA

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Society for Vascular Ultrasound 2011 Annual Conference (at the 2011 Vascular Annual Meeting)

June 16-18, 2011 / McCormick Place On-the-Lake / Chicago, Illinois

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Visit the SVU Website frequently to stay in-the-know for the latest reimbursement, membership, education, advocacy and professional guidelines news. Community connections and vascular resourses are readily available, as well as a bookstore loaded with products to keep you at the top of your game.

Thanks for reading the SVU blog...just one more way we are the voice for the vascular ultrasound profession!

...and the Winner is...(drumroll)...

2010-06-17T17:07:00.001-04:00

This year's 2010 SVU Service Awards were presented by the Awards Subcommittee Chair Pat Marques, RN RVT FSVU:

Leadership Award -- presented to Michael W. Schwebler, MBA RVT FSVU -- In recognition of his forward thinking, leadership and collaborative efforts in having SVU work with other ultrasound related societies during his term as SVU President (2008-2009)

Professional Achievement Award -- presented to Terence Needham, RVT FSVU -- In recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the vascular technology profession through research, education and mentoring during his more than 42 years in the profession.

Certificate of Appreciation -- presented to Rita Shugart, RN RVT FSVU -- in recognition of her dedicated volunteer work as an SVU Liaison on the ICAVL Board of Directors for six years, as the first non-physician ICAVL President, and also as the IAC Chair for 2008-2009. Her service to ICAVL and IAC has benefited the vascular ultrasound profession and all domestic medical imaging.

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The 2010 SVU Fellowship recipients were presented by Fellows Subcommittee Chair Tish Poe, BA RVT RDCS FSVU:

Sheila Byrd-Raynor, PhD RVT FSVU -- London, England
Jeanette Flannery, RVT RDMS FSVU -- Newark, NJ
LeAnn Maupin, MEd RT(R) RVT FASO FSVU -- Klamath Falls, OR
Kathryn Sorrell, BSN RN RVT FSVU -- Norfolk, VA

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The 2010 Chapters Awards were presented by Chapters Subcommittee Chair Jeanette Flannery, RVT RDMS FSVU:

2010 SVU Affiliated Chapter Person of the Year Award Clifford T. Araki, PhD RVT -- , North Jersey Vascular Association -- In recognition of his dedication to SVU and the North Jersey Vascular Association and his enthusiastic involvement in the first SVU multi-chapter Webinar on April 24, 2010.

Three 2010 SVU Affiliated Chapters of the Year -- To honor the many years of dedication and continued commitment to vascular education. As founding SVU chapters, the Greater Pittsburg Vascular Technologists, North Carolina Vascular Technologists, and Northern New England Vascular Society Chapters paved the way and set the standard for future chapters to emulate. We proudly recognize their past successes and achievements.

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This year's 2010 Scientific Awards were presented by Awards Subcommittee Chair Pat Marques, RN RVT FSVU:

2010 D.E. Strandness, M.D., Scientific Award for Excellence in Research, sponsored by Parks Medical Electronics, presented to William B. Schroedter, BS RVT FSVU, Quality Vascular Imaging, Inc.,Venice, FL, for his paper -- "Does Distal Venous Hypertension Affect Lower Extremity Venous Pulsatility." (Abstract #206 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 Alex Chao, M.D. -- Young Investigator's Award, sponsored by Philips Healthcare, presented to twin authors Adam Domonkos Tarnoki, M.D. and David Laszlo Tarnoki, M.D., Dept. of Radiology and Oncotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, for their paper on "Twins Lead to the Prevention of Artherosclerosis -- Findings of International Twin Study 2009" -- (Abstract #208 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 Excellence in Oral Clinical Presentation Award, sponsored by Navix Diagnostix, Inc., presented to Christine Chung, BS, Dept. of Vascular Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, for her paper on "Plaque Echolucency May Play a Critical Role in Predicting Cerebral Embolization in Patients Undergoing CAS" (Abstract #108 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 Physician Presenter Award, sponsored by the Kentucky Vascular Society (KVS), presented to George S. Lavenson, MD FACS RVT, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, for his paper on "The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Against Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Disease, Like that for Reducing Screening for Breast and Cervical Cancer, Should be Reconsidered" (Abstract #203 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 First Time Presenter Award, sponsored by the Ohio Northern Kentucky Indiana Vascular Technologists (ONKIVT) chapter, presented to Dennis Kiser, BS RVT, Ross Heart Hospital, Columbus, OH, for his paper on "Timeliness in Notification of Critical Vascular Laboratory Test Results is Part of Quality Assurance" (Abstract #202 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 Excellence in Scientific Poster Presentation Award, sponsored by Vascular-web.com, presented to Jean Ayoub, MD, PhD, Praticien Hospitalier, Medecin Responsable de l'Unite Echographie Generale, France, for his poster on "The Color Doppler, Contrast Enhanced, 3D Ultrasound in Abdominal Vascular Pathology" (Poster #412 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 Excellence in Case Study Poster Presentation Award, sponsored by DataStar Systems, presented to Jacqueline M. Guerriero, DO, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA, for her poster on "Venous Duplex in the Management of a Great Saphenous Vein Aneurysm" (Poster #409 in the Annual Conference Program)

2010 Student Poster Presentation Award, sponsored by Pegasus Lectures, Inc., presented to Victoria Cortez, Student, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL for her poster on "TCD and Carotid Duplex as Complementary Studies for the Investigation of Syncope" (Poster #405)

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The results of the 2010 SVU Elections were announced by Nominations Subcommittee Chair Debbie Pirt, AS RVT FSVU:

Three Technologist Directors were elected to the SVU Board for the term of 2011-2013:
Karen Burns, RN RVT MBA
Brian Hembling, BS RVT (re-elected to a second term)
Patricia Marques, RN RVT FSVU

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The following 2010 SVU Certificate of Appreciation was announced by SVU Executive Director Steve Haracznak on behalf of JVU Co-Editors Steven Talbot, RVT FSVU, and Barton Bean, RVT FSVU:

2010 SVU Journal for Vascular Ultrasound Certificate of Appreciation presented to Robert Smilanich, MD FACS RVT, Utah Vascular Center, Provo, UT, for his exceptional support of the SVU Journal for Vascular Ultrasound. Dr. Smilanich has served as a member of the JVU Editorial Review Board for the past year. During this year he has reviewed more manuscripts on his own than all other Editorial Review Board members combined, and the quality of his reviews has been extraordinary.
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Congratulations to all of this year's SVU Award recipients and Election winners!!

Boston 12, Philly 1

2010-06-17T16:09:00.002-04:00

I don't mean to brag...but technically this falls in the category of "The SVU Annual Conference Experience in Boston"...which is what this blog is all about!

So the data clearly revealed that Philly experienced a baseball massacare. It may as well have been batting practice for the Sox. There were 9 home runs scored by the Red Sox in the first 3 innings, which was GREAT as far as I was concerned! I love the Sox. I love the crack of the bat with a hit. I loved watching that ball bounce off the Green Monstah. My super friends and I agreed (or maybe I just think we agreed) that if we did happen to catch a ball we'd divide it into 5 equal parts. Of course, I cannot verify how that actually would have played out...and how easily the baseball's stitching would have come undone. Not one ball came near our seats...there was a flaw in the plan.

Friends, sunshine, baseball and good food = The perfect way to finish up a Friday at the SVU Annual Conference in Boston!

Productivity in the Vascular Laboratory

2010-06-12T14:36:00.000-04:00

The Societies for Vascular Ultrasound and Surgery came together once again this afternoon to discuss Productivity in the Vascular Laboratory. There is ample evidence indicating that this topic is near and dear to the hearts of vascular professionals from sea to shining sea.

Co-Moderators Rita Shugart, RN RVT FSVU and J. Dennis Baker, MD RVT succeeded in covering the wide-ranging aspects of this topic with style and efficiency! The session went something like this:

■Introduction of Presenters and Topics
--Rita Shugart, RN RVT FSVU

■Introduction to Productivity
--Michael Jaff, DO RVT RPVI

■Maintaining and Improving Productivity
-- Marsha Neumyer, BS RVT FSVU FAIUM FSDMS

■Increasing Productivity Through New Technology
-- David Parlato, BA RVT FSVU

■One Lab's Experience with Evaluating / Improving Productivity: A Case Study
-- Michael Jaff, DO RVT RPVI

■Summary and Panel Discussion
-- J. Dennis Baker, MD RVT

...followed by a lively audience "Question and Answer" time.

Not only was this session integral in opening minds to the ins-and-outs of measuring productivity, but I personally walked away interested (and quite possibly enthused) to initiate new and effective ways of productivity evaluation in my own vascular laboratory! Not to shabby folks. Rather like the defnition of productive: "a : yielding results, benefits, or profits b : yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities" ~ Merriam-Webster

Kari

SVU's International Session!

2010-06-11T16:10:00.001-04:00

The Role of the Sonographer and Use of Guidelines and Protocols Outside the US

Sheila Byrd-Raynor and Frank Miele

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And now, a true work of art I have entitled: "Experts in Motion".

Brilliant. Inspired. I'm going to be famous.

Lunch with the Experts Series:

2010-06-11T16:00:00.002-04:00

Today's Clinical Challenges and Pitfalls in Venous Duplex Sonography

Dr. Wayne Smith and Patrick Washko, RVT

Snapshots from the 2010 SVU Annual Conference!

2010-06-11T15:12:00.001-04:00

Vascular Techs + Vascular Surgeons/Interventionalists + Vascular Exhibition + Food & Drink = The perfect way to wind down after day 1 of the Annual Conference.

2010-06-11T11:32:00.000-04:00

So last night after the first day of the 2010 SVU Annual Conference we all came together in the Exhibit hall for a little time to unwind and catch up with friends and colleagues!

The theme for the reception was the Tastes of Boston, and there was lots of great food and drink! I visited with many exhibit representatives, caught up on the past year's happenings and new equipment, and caught up with past OIT classmates and vascular tech/physician friends from across the country. I had fun visits with Jon Peters from Parks, Kyra Gray and Jesse Salom from Hokanson, Marge Hutchisson from ICAVL, Frankie Hamme at the SVU booth, Dr. Zwolak from Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and a bunch of other great people. It was a wonderful time!

There was a violin duo wandering through the hall serenading us which was nice...until I became aware that they were constantly next to me. I think they were stalking me...it was strange and a bit annoying after a while. I spent the reception time fairly distracted, trying to keep moving so the duo wouldn't catch up to me. Maybe it was all in my head. Berkely College of Music is right outside the Hynes Convention Center...so at least the musicians were top-notch!!

There's never enough time to visit with people...I could have been there all night!

Kari

How did you get your poster to the SVU Annual Conference?

2010-06-11T11:00:00.002-04:00

1. In a poster tube.

2. Carried on to the plane, bus, subway, sidewalk...it can be a valuable tool for crowd-control. Don't check it with the luggage...that's a disaster waiting to happen!

This year's poster session was a phenomenal showing of the past year's worth of diligent, exceptional work. There are 25 posters in all, filling the room with colorful intelligent conversation pieces. There are simply too many posters this year to post a picture of each, but here are some snapshots from the session:

Congratulations to all of this year's poster presenters -- Solid work!!

We're off to a great start!

2010-06-10T09:57:00.000-04:00

Greetings from the Hynes Convention Center in Boston Massachusetts! The 2010 SVU Annual Conference has officially begun!

Wednesday:

- Pre-conference sessions "Strategies for a Profitable Vascular Lab" course, "ICAVL Accreditation Workshop", "Updates in Diagnostic Criteria: Vascular Interpretation", and the SVU Board of Directors Meeting were all hugely successful!

- We had a wonderful time seeing old friends-- and making new ones-- at the SVU Member Meet and Greet Reception!

- I personally had some of the very best sushi of my life last night with great friends that I haven't seen in way too long! I haven't laughed that hard in years...my stomach aches today from it!

Thursday:

- Concurrent early morning tutorials: "IMT Imaging", "Arterial Physiologic Testing", "Mapping for AVF" and "Imaging Calf Veins" were fabulous! (To be honest, I could only be in one place at a time, so didn't personally experience each of these tutorials...but I gotta say, people looked really pleased as they spilled out of the room!)

- Poster Session begins today!! If you are here at the conference, be sure to find your way to the room where the posters are displayed. Not just because mine is there...there are 25 incredible works of science, and today at 10:00am (yikes...that's just 15 minutes from now!) the authors will be on hand to talk with you about them. SVU's general session room is on the 3rd floor, rooms 304/306. Continue down the corridor past the general session room to 309 and say "hello"!

- The opening general session was a huge success! I am typing this as Dr. Joe Polak is finishing up his talk "Dealing with the funny waveform"...Fantastic! The audience was also treated to lectures from experts Frank Miele, Terry Case and Bob Scissons. Wow. That's quite a few great minds in one room! (And if you've been following this blog, you'll know that I am ready for my next student now!)

Other items:

- I'm from Seattle, and if you know me, you'll know that it's rare for me to complain about rainy weather. I kind of like the rain...that's what they make gear for. I'm a total gear gal. However, if I didn't know better I'd think I was home. What is with this rain!? Boston is a gorgeous city despite the drizzle...I'm just sayin' that the weather people lied. I was pretty spoiled earlier in the week with gorgeous sunshine, but that was before the Annual Conference. Keep your fingers crossed for great weather on Friday evening...I've got tickets to the Sox game with my buddies!!

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Okay folks, got to run, but stay tuned for another update soon!
Kari

TIP OF THE DAY for SVU Annual Conference Attendees!!

2010-06-09T08:53:00.001-04:00

Do travel expenses for this year's SVU Annual Conference in Boston have you strapped for cash??

There is a huge, gorgeous grocery/supermarket adjacent to the Prudential/Copley mall just one block from the Westin Copley Place, SVU's official hotel!!

There is also a Trader Joe's just across from Hynes Convention Center on Boylston Street!! I don't know about you, but T-Joes is my absolute fave. Organic groceries and prepared foods...Awesome.

Pick up food staples, items you forgot at home and other goodies--and save yourself a little money.

Have a great time in Boston and enjoy this incredible weather!!
Kari

The early bird gets the varicose vein (err- worm, metaphorically speaking)

2010-06-08T11:58:00.002-04:00

Have you thought about attending an Early Morning Tutorial at the SVU Annual Conference this year? It's not too late to sign up for one! Don't let the words "Early Morning" scare you off...you'd get the freshest coffee! I'm from Seattle, so I ought to know that coffee is not so good after it's been sitting around for a while. These sessions are an exceptional way to earn extra credits with intensive instruction in specific areas, with the bonus of one-on-one interaction with the expert giving the lecture!!

Just look at all of these options:

Sessions at 7:00am - 8:15am Each Day

Thursday, June 10th
Concurrent Tutorials

(Separate registration and fee of $10 per tutorial required. Continental Breakfast provided for tutorial attendees)

■Tutorial #1: IMT Imaging
-- Douglas Jacoby, MD
** Sponsored by GE Healthcare **

■Tutorial #2: Arterial Physiologic Testing
-- Marsha Neumyer, BS RVT FSVU
** Sponsored by Unetixs Vascular, Inc. **

■Tutorial #3: Mapping for AVF
-- Joanne Drago, LPN RVT FSVU
-- Ann Inskeep, RVT
** Sponsored by Siemens Healthcare **

■Tutorial 4: Imaging Calf Veins
-- Steven Talbot, RVT FSVU
** Sponsored by Biosound Esaote, Inc. **

Friday, June 11th

Technical Showcase

Moderators: Judy Fried and Jeanette Flannery
** Sponsored by Biomedix, Biosound, CareFusion, GE Healthcare, Hokanson, Parks Medical Electronics, Philips Healthcare and Unetixs. **

Saturday, June 12th
Concurrent Tutorials

(Separate registration and fee of $10 per tutorial required and Continental Breakfast provided for tutorial attendees)

■Tutorial 5: Ergonomic Considerations in Vascular Ultrasound: Findings and Recommendations
-- Elizabeth Tucker O'Day, MD
** Sponsored by Sound Ergonomics **

■Tutorial 6: Vascular 911
-- Patrick Washko, BS RVT RDMS RT
** Sponsored by GE Healthcare **

■Tutorial 7: Visceral Vascular Assessment: Mesenteric and Portal Duplex Imaging
-- Anne Musson, BS RVT, and Jack I. Siegel, BA RVT
** Sponsored by Navix Diagnostix **

■Tutorial 8: TCD: Embolic Detection
-- Ajay Zachariah, BS RVT RDMS RDCS
** Sponsored by CareFusion **
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GO. You will be so glad I guilted-you-to-set-your-alarm-early to attend these. I promise!!

Greetings from Boston!!

2010-06-07T17:50:00.003-04:00

I am writing this blog from the inner courtyard of the Boston Public Library at Copley Square. It has been a gorgeous day, with lots of sunshine, temperatures in the 70s and low humidity...Ahhhh. What a perfect day to sit outside next to a fountain, garden and sculptures.

I am not quite so much of an over-achiever to be here days early just for SVU Annual Conference. Although SVU is worth that extra effort. And so is Boston, for that matter. I had some personal items to attend to, so have been hard at work-- with a little bit of relaxation. Yesterday I went to my favorite museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum...amazing as always. I am keeping my eye out for the Boston folks...Paula Walsh our fearless Annual Conference chair...Dr. Jaff, Dr. Polak...Kathleen Hannon and the folks at MGH...but then I remember, they are probably working (sorry guys...didn't mean to rub it in!).

So are YOU ready for the meeting? Dry cleaning retrieved, bags packed, all of those ridiculous 3oz. bottles stored neatly away in your 1 quart ziplock bag? Slides ready for presentation? Poster printed? Don't forget pins!! Walking shoes? Thinking cap?

I've been looking through the schedule and realized I missed a whole plethora of SVU Annual Conference sections to brag on!! So here are some more:

Friday June 11th, 8:45am -10:15am
--What an amazing session!!

GENERAL SESSION: Scientific Session

Moderator: Mark D. Iafrati, MD RVT

■Differences in Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness May be Linked to Advanced Imaging Presets
-- Jean Alessi-Chinetti, BA RVT RDMS

■Timeliness in Notification of Critical Vascular Laboratory Test Results is Part of Quality Assurance
-- Dennis Kiser, BS RVT

■The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Against Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid
-- George S. Lavenson, MD FACS RVT

■Possible Association Between Scan Quality and Pain During Ultrasound Scanning: Results from the SVU 2009 Survey on Ergonomics
-- Joseph F. Polak, MD MPH

■Ankle Brachial Index Assessment: Does It Matter How Arm Pressures Are Measured?
-- John Matsuura, MD

■Does Distal Venous Hypertension Affect Lower Extremity Venous Pulsatility?
-- William B. Schroedter, BA RVT FSVU

■Traditional Peripheral Arterial Doppler Waveform Descriptors: Are They Still Worth Teaching?
-- Robert P. Scissons, RVT FSVU

■Twins Lead to the Prevention of Artherosclerosis: Findings of Internation Twin Study 2009
-- Adam Tarnoki, MD

Friday June 11th, 10:45am -12:15pm
--Very interesting topics!!

Case Study Presentations

Moderator: Ann Marie Kupinski, PhD RVT FSVU
■Bilateral Subclavin Steal Syndrome & Heart Failure
-- Reza Amini, MD

■Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm
-- Kathryn Ayoub, RVT

■Profound Calf Muscle Dysfunction Following Hip Dislocation Monitored by Air Plethysmography
-- Nichole K. Baker, RVT

■Isolated Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery With Associated Median Arcuate Ligament
-- Travis J. Bille

■Duplex Diagnosis of Muscular Entrapment of Lower Extremity Bypass Graft Complicated by Severe Aneurysmal Disease
-- Amber L. Clay, RVT FDCS

■Schwannoma of the Posterior Tibial Nerve: An Unusual Finding During Arterial Ultrasound Examination
-- Miguel O. Maia, MD RVT

■Anomalous Vascular Blood Flow in the Presence of Right-Sided Aortic Arch
-- Carol Miranda, RVT RDMS RDCS FSVU

■Successful Thrombin Repair of Giant Pseudoaneurysms Without Compressive Neuropathy: A Report of Two Cases
-- Joddi M. Neff, MD

■Application of Duplex Ultrasonography in the Mid-Aortic Syndrome
-- Stephanie R. Wilson, BS RDMS RVT

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Wow...all of that information in just one morning!
Seriously, 17 top-notch lectures in the time it would take to do:
-- 2 bilateral varicose vein studies...
-- or 3 difficult renal exams...
-- or 3 bilateral upper and lower extremity venous exams in the ICU...

Solid work SVU!! (Thanks for getting me out of all that work for a day!!)

And now, a shameless plug for my own presentation at the SVU Annual Conference:

2010-06-03T17:53:00.001-04:00

Koffee and Kases with Patrick and Kari

There is no one better than Pat Washko at putting fun into a powerpoint presentation that's teeming with vascular disease. This picture is proof he's got a fantastically unique sense of humor! (The prom picture was Pat's idea, but I have to admit, it's pretty funny!) And people: This is just the tip of the iceberg.

The population in the General Session room for the last session of the last day is notoriously sparse. I'm not judging...I'm just sayin'. That's why we're "bringing it" at 3:30pm on Saturday June 12th.

If you think you've seen it all, think again! If you anticipate snoring through another worn-out case study session, guess again!

We will send you out into the world from this year's 2010 Annual Conference a little smarter--and with a heckuva lotta laughs. (Oh...and did I mention the FREE GIVAWAYS for a few lucky audience members?? No, I'd better not...Pat and I don't want to seem desperate.)

Countdown to 2010 SVU Annual Conference!

2010-06-02T12:42:00.001-04:00

My goodness, May was gone in a flash and it's already June! It's been a busy week here in Seattle:

The 2010 SVU Annual Conference officially begins just one week from today with those spectacular pre-conference sessions I blogged about earlier!

Check out the entire schedule of Annual Conference activities here!

Continue to follow this blog all week, and throughout the meeting...don't miss a thing!

I hope you are planning to join us in Boston...schmooze a little...learn a lot...pick up a bunch of CME's...support your Society for Vascular Ultrasound!

~ Kari

What will your guests be doing while you're attending the annual conference?

2010-05-27T14:22:00.004-04:00

When the SVU Annual Conference is in an incredible city like Boston (or Washington D.C., Orlando, San Francisco...) many attendees will bring guests. Whether your guests are old or young, there are plenty of things to keep them entertained while you are in the meeting!!

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See previous posts for detailed information about these highly recommended activities:

Walk the Freedom Trail: The church steeple where the "One if by land, two if by sea" lanterns were lit, the balcony from which the Declaration of Independence was first read to the American people, the graves of Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and even Mother Goose...

Duck Tour

Trolly Tour

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Museum of Science

Truly an awesome educational experience. The last time I visited the Museum of Science was to see the temporary Body Worlds exhibit which was very well done. There is an IMAX theater and planetarium, 3-D theater, current exhibits on whales, bees, and birds...and get this: "Beyond the X-Ray" all about Medial Imaging Technologies!

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New England Aquarium

I live in Seattle...we have lots of water, lots of fish and an aquarium that's...well...decent. It's unfortunate, really. I was so spoiled living in Boston and visiting the New England Aquarium whenever I wanted (and I went frequently)! This Aquarium is spectacular...a Giant Ocean Tank, which is a four-story coral reef exhibit in the middle of the Aquarium's main galleries. You can walk along the ramp which spirals up, and see it all: top to bottom and from all sides. When you get to the top floor, you can look down into the water from above, participate in a Giant Ocean Tank Talk and watch the divers feed the animals. Penguins and seals and jellyfish oh my!

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Heyyyy batta batta batta...

You may be fortunate enough to have tickets, or maybe not, but you can still experience the excitement and history of Fenway Park! Take a TOUR! One of my favorite memories to this day is seeing the Seattle Mariners play the Red Sox at Fenway. To be clear, I am a Mariner's fan first, then the Red Sox, followed by any other team who beats the Yankees.

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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

"…an unforgettable impression, not of five thousand beautiful things, but of one thing of beauty, one artistic whole" - The Spectator (Boston), 1903

"The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is at once an intimate collection of fine and decorative art and a vibrant, innovative venue for contemporary artists, musicians and scholars. Housed in a stunning 15th-century Venetian-style palace with three stories of galleries surrounding a sun- and flower-filled courtyard, the Museum provides an unusual backdrop for the viewing of art. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's preeminent collection contains more than 2,500 paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture, manuscripts, rare books and decorative arts. The galleries house works by some of the most recognized artists in the world, including Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Manet, Degas, Whistler and Sargent. The spirit of the architecture, the personal character of the arrangements and the artistic display of the enchanting courtyard in full bloom all create an atmosphere that distinguishes the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as an intimate and culturally-rich treasure." ~from the Museum website

This is still top on my list of favorites, a museum I have visited countless times, and my personal "must see" while I'm in Boston this trip. It is an exquisite collection!

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Boston Public Library

This is a must-see, even if you don't have a lot of time. The best part is: It's right next to our hotel! There is a free one-hour guided walking tour, if you are so inclined. The architecture, decorations and smell of this historic library are unforgettable. There are gorgeous courtyards and galleries, including a large mural painted by John Singer Sargent. This was by far one of my favorite places to wander through, sit with my coffee and read...and I'm sure the Boston Public Library is one of the places I will be while updating this blog during the Annual Conference!

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Walking, Shopping, Dining, Sipping...

"The World On A Street with something for everyone!" Explore one of these favorite haunts of mine from when I lived in Boston!

"Newbury Street in Boston ranks as one of the premiere shopping streets in the entire country. It is a community that encompasses fashion, museum quality art, specialty boutiques, business services, fine dining, and so much more…all set in a historical district with an electric atmosphere. Newbury Street is a destination location that never disappoints the visitor!" ~from the website

Newbury street is just two blocks North from our hotel, with the Boston Public Garden on the East end, and Hynes Convention Center near the West end. Walk one more block to the north and find a gorgeous parkway along Commonwealth Ave., complete with statues and sculptures in tribute to local heros and legends. Newbury street is an excellent place to find lunch if you aren't attending a "Lunch with the Experts" session and want more than the Mall Food Court offers!!

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Well, that ought to get you started! The more I find just creating this post, the more excited I am to visit Boston again...See you there!

Kari

This is YOUR Society for Vascular Ultrasound

2010-05-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

Come to the SVU Business meeting and get a pulse on what's going on!!

SVU Annual Business Meeting
Thursday June 10th at 3:30pm
-- Michel Comeaux, RN BSN RVT RDMS FSVU, President
-- Steve Haracznak, BA, Executive Director

Induction of 2010 SVU Fellows
-- Tish Poe, Chair, Fellows Subcommittee

Service Awards
-- Pat Marques, Chair, Awards Subcommittee

Professional Achievement Award
** Sponsored by Unetixs Vascular Inc. **

Chapter Awards
-- Jeanette Flannery, Chair, Chapters Subcommittee

Setting Guidelines for Clinical Education in Vascular Ultrasound
-- Cliff Araki, Academics Subcommittee

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First 25 members through the door get to throw a cream pie at Steve Haracznak, SVU's Executive Director!! B.Y.O.P.

(Haha...Just kidding Steve!)

"Will you please, please, pretty-please speak at our Annual Conference this year in Boston?!"

2010-05-25T17:12:00.000-04:00

I'm sure that's not exactly how the conversation went, perhaps a bit more professional...

We at the SVU are delighted to announce the following all-star lineup for the
Invited Speaker Session Thursday June 10th at 2:00pm:

Further Implication of Ultrasound Findings

Moderator: Marie Gerhard-Herman, MD RVT

Carotid Ultrasound: What do I do with the results?
-- Andrew Eisenhauer, MD

Peripheral Duplex: Management of Arterial Disease
-- Mark Oliver, MD

SDP/PVR: Clinical Evaluation of the Arterial Patient: A Case Based Approach
-- Gregory Piazza, MD

Renal Vascular Diseases: Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment
-- Heather Gornick, MD RVT RPVI

Aorta
-- Marie Gerhard-Herman, MD RVT

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Can you believe they said "Yes" !?
Don't stand them up...
We want you to BE THERE!

Night Out in Boston: Idea #28

2010-05-22T10:00:00.002-04:00

Spectacular Show in the Theater District:

Blue Man Group
"Blue Man Group is best known for its widely popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at the live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience."

Equally Spectacular Dessert Experience:

Finale Desserterie and Bakery
"We create sensational dessert experiences at Finale. What exactly does that mean? We use the best ingredients, like Valrhona chocolate and Tahitian vanilla beans. We use them to make the most delicious desserts you've ever eaten. They are also the most beautiful desserts you've ever seen. We treat them like jewels, like works of art. We make them on our dessert plating stage with culinary mirrors overhead, right in the middle of the dining room. We literally roll out the red carpet for you, along with velvet seating, candlelight, and linen napkins."

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

2010-05-21T05:00:00.004-04:00

Cast your ballot in this year's 2010 SVU Elections (SVU Members Only) -- we could not make it easier for you to vote!! You have two choices:

You can VOTE ONLINE by going to SVU's website. Simply follow the instructions on the home page, log into the secured members-only area and cast your vote TODAY!
This is what you'll see:

Vote at the SVU Booth (#529) in the Exhibition Hall. This is actually just as easy for you as the online voting, because you'll be in the Exhibit Hall anyway...hobnobbing with colleagues, checking out the latest and greatest technology, purchasing the SVU Professional Performance DVDs and/or the new RPVI Exam Simulation CD at the SVU booth, catching up with friends, trying out that new transducer from your favorite ultrasound company, thumbing through the latest vascular ultrasound textbooks, attending the opening night reception......

YOUR Society for Vascular Ultrasound is lead by the members that YOU delegate!!
Who's it going to be?

Pitfalls of Balloon Surveillance using Hybrid Tourniquet Embolization for Maturation Morphology with Bubbles at the Heel.

2010-05-20T05:00:00.002-04:00

No, that's not the title of one of this year's presentations...but I got your attention!

Here are the actual titles of the Clinical Oral Presentations of the SVU 2010 Annual Conference:

Balloon-Assisted Maturation (BAM) of Arterio-Venous Fistulas (AVF) Under Duplex Guidance in the Office
-- Pamela Boniscavage

The Role of Afferent Artery and Efferent Vein Flow Volumes in Predicting Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
-- Kelly R. Byrnes, BS RVT

Surveillance of Visceral Artery Debranching in Hybrid TEVAR Repair with Color Duplex Ultrasound: A Feasible Technology
-- Brian L. Chen, MD

Plaque Echolucency May Play a Critical Role in Predicting Cerebral Embolization in Patients Undergoing CAS
-- Christine Chung, BS

Routine Tourniquet Use During Pre-Operative Vein Mapping for Dialysis Access: Clinical Utility and Effect on Maturation Rates
-- Courtney K. Crawford, RVT

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque Morphology in Carotid Stent Patients Over Time
-- Courtney M. Daly

Pitfalls of Transcranial Doppler Bubble Test for PFO: Does the Saline Solution Matter?
-- Zsolt Garami, MD

Are We Imaging the Correct Vessels to Determine Arterial Ischemia of the Heel?
-- Daniel E. Spivack, MD

Now, don't those sound more interesting than my title suggestion? Don't miss it!!
SVU General Session: Thursday, June 10th at 10:45am.
Hynes Convention Center, Boston.
Be there or be square.

Got Flow?

2010-05-19T18:06:00.002-04:00

What do Frank Miele, Terry Case, Bob Scissons and Joe Polak have in common?

...wait for it...

They are all bringing lectures to share at the opening session of the SVU 2010 Annual Conference!

This invited speaker session is all about hemodynamics, and boy could I use a refresher! I've been doing this for quite a while now, and thank goodness there are still waveforms and scenarios that get my brain working...it helps break up the monotony of a day. (Normal unremarkable LEV, LEV, UEV, LEV, UEV...)

Here at the UW, we have had the pleasure of hosting a very talented vascular extern student for the past year. Teaching is an incredibly effective way to stay sharp with the specifics of duplex ultrasonography, hemodynamics and exam interpretation. However, some of the challenges I find after years of teaching are: How can I explain this to my student a different way? What is a fresh perspective on hemodynamics that I should share with her? What piece of the interpretation puzzle should I accentuate to help her understand more clearly? By hearing these guys talk about hemodynamics, I am hoping to bring home a different approach to the same old things I've been saying for years! Oh yeah, it's bad. I know I need help, becase in the middle of my "TCD collateral pathways" spiel, Calli reminded me that I've told her before. Several times.

So, you know where I'll be on Thursday morning from 9:00 - 10:15 am: The SVU General Session at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston!

Artifacts
-- Frank Miele, MSEE

Cerebral Vascular Waveforms
-- Terry Case, MEd RVT FSVU

Peripheral Arterial Doppler Waveform Characterization: Past, Present and Future
-- Bob Scissons, RVT FSVU

Dealing with the Funny Waveform
-- Joseph Polak, MD MPH

(And if you think you are immune and don't need to be there, just ask your student!!)

Sponsorship for the 2010 SVU Annual Conference

2010-05-14T13:07:00.000-04:00

This year's Vascular Exhibition promises to be brilliant (as always)! Companies and organizations from all reaches of the vascular realm will bring their equipment, materials and expertise, and the result is astounding. While you are at the Annual Conference this year, be sure to spend time visiting the exhibits...you will not be disappointed!

"Thank You" to all of our sponsors for making the SVU 2010

Annual Conference possible!

PLATINUM

SILVER

BRONZE

COPPER

All of these exhibitors and many more will be at this year's Annual Conference. Join us in the Exhibit Hall for the combined SVS/SVU Opening Night Reception, Thursday June 10th from 5:30-6:30pm, after the first day of the Annual Conference General Sessions!

Having Fun in Boston

2010-05-13T09:07:00.001-04:00

Obviously, you're coming to town for the SVU Annual Conference...
Of course, you are planning to attend all of the sessions...
What will you do with the rest of your time?!

Some things to do and see close to the hotel:
- Boston Public Library
- Newbury Street and Charles Street (boutique shops, great restaurants with sidewalk seating, high-end shopping, historic architecture, etc.)
- Boston Public Garden and Boston Common (designed by my ancestor Frederick Law Olmsted, a.k.a. "Uncle Freddy")
- State House (Massachusetts State Capital building)
- Theater District: Blue Man Group! Musicals! Plays!
- Chinatown
- The Charles River (and park with walking trail)

The Freedom Trail is a must for anyone experiencing Boston. The Trail starts at the Boston Common and winds through town past the most important historic sites to see. I'm definitely a fan and highly recommend it...but I'm also a realist: This Trail takes several hours to a full day to explore! Plan to come a day early or stay a day after the meeting to take this in...you'll be glad you did!

Some things to take the "T" and do:
- New England Aquarium
- Museum of Science
- Fenway Park (and of course a baseball game, if you can score tickets!)
- The North End (Little Italy)
- Faneuil Hall
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Boston Museum of Fine Arts
- Tour the Harvard University and MIT campuses

Recommendations for Sightseeing Tour options:

The Duck Tour
This tour departs within a few blocks of the hotel, and takes you all over town...by land and by water! It's a fun time, full of silly and interesting facts and tons of useful information that will make you sound like a Boston expert to the folks back home. This rates high on both the "FUN" and "CHEESY" scales, is a great time!
Tour Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Cost: $34.50

The Trolley Tour
This is a great way to see the city at your own pace! The trolley has 18 different stops around the city so you can hop off, see the sights and hop back on the next trolley that comes by. The guides are very informative and you can impress your family and friends just as much as the Duck Tour, with a little less of the "Cheese" factor.
Tour Time: All day pass, unlimited on and off . 1 hour and 50 minutes total travel time.
Cost: $38.00

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kari

How many CME's do you have?

2010-05-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

Chances are you're short a few. Ahh but there's no shame...all of us need CME's at some point. As a friendly reminder, you may be audited...I've lost track of the number of friends/colleagues who have been audited so far this year. Don't be caught with your CME numbers down!!

Come to the SVU Annual Conference this year, and you'll be set with:

A total of 16 SVU-Continuing Medical Education (SVU-CME) credit hours are available on an hour-for-hour basis from attending the SVU general sessions this year!

Plus, by attending the elective SVU courses throughout the conference, you have the opportunity to earn an additional 10.75 credits.

Check these out:

3 Pre-Course Sessions
8 "Early Morning Tutorial" sessions
3 "Lunch with the Experts" options
Technical Showcase

THE FINE PRINT:

The credits may be used to fulfill the continuing education requirements necessary to retain your RVT® credential with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography® (ARDMS®), your RVS credential with the Cardiovascular Credentialing Institute (CCI) or your lab’s accreditation with the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL), or the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

Come take part in this exceptional education event

from your SVU, the Voice of the Vascular Ultrasound Profession!

Getting Around in Boston

2010-05-11T08:51:00.003-04:00

The SVU Annual Conference has been in some great cities: Denver, San Diego, Baltimore, Chicago... and this year is no exception! I love traveling to great cities like Boston...experiencing unique sights, smells and tastes. The only catch is that time is limited when you're in town for a conference. I am certainly no expert, but I have lived in Boston and I can offer some tips on getting around town and making the most of your time in town! Fortunately, the SVU hotel and the Hynes Convention Center are centrally located downtown within walking distance to great restaurants and shopping.

The "T" (Subway)
The "T" is one of the most efficient and inexpensive ways to get around the city.   While many great sights and tastes are within walking distance of our hotel, the "T" is a considerably faster way to get to some of the more distant attractions. I mean, it is technically possible to walk from New York to Boston, too, but who has time for that? Boston has made their subway system easy to navigate, including a handy-dandy map available at the airport and at any "T" Station. (Click on the link above, or web-search MBTA)

$1.70 = One ride, including free transfer to bus
$9.00 = One day, unlimited rides
$15.00 = One week, unlimited rides

My recommendation for folks traveling to Boston:
- When you arrive at the airport and collect your bags, take a shuttle bus marked "MBTA" outside of baggage claim to the Blue Line Logan Airport "T" Station.
-  At the station, purchase your ticket, for one ride if you're planning to stick close to the hotel, or splurge on the one week ticket if you are headed for adventure.
-  Take the Blue Line to Government Center, transfer onto the Green Line, and take that to Copley.
- Voila! You have arrived!

SURE: It's probably more relaxing to take a cab from the airport to the hotel, particularly if you aren't familiar with the system...but FYI: That will cost you around $25.00-30.00 each way.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stay tuned for ideas of some things to do and see close to the hotel, some things to take the "T" and do, as well as sightseeing tour options!

Kari

Reserve your Hotel Room TODAY!

2010-05-10T14:19:00.003-04:00

SVU's Headquarters Hotel this year is the Westin Copley Place.
The Westin Copley Place Hotel is located in downtown Boston, and is linked to the Hynes Convention Center via Sky Bridge. It's only a stroll away from shopping at the Copley Mall, the Shops at Prudential Center, and Newbury Street. Guest rooms overlook scenic Back Bay and the Charles River.

Today is the last day to reserve your room at the group rate of $259.00 per night. This hotel is the most convenient and hassle-free place to stay for the Annual Conference. Do you have friends or colleagues also attending the meeting? Share a room and save money! 2 people per room = $129.50 per person per night.

The Westin Copley Place
10 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 262-9600, or 866-716-812

"If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late!"

2010-05-09T15:40:00.003-04:00

Imagine this: The date is Thursday June 9th. You've arrived at the Hynes Convention Center bright and early, ready for SVU to "bring-it" like you know we do. You glance at the program materials, and a touch of confusion sets in, followed by a full-on cold sweat. The Profitable Vascular Lab course was yesterday?! The ICAVL Accreditation Workshop was yesterday?! Oh no...and the Updates in Diagnostic Criteria course that your medical director was so excited about was...you got it: YESTERDAY.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That's right folks: If you're early, you're on time. This post is designed to save you from the great disappointment and shame of missing out on this year's SVU Pre-Conference Courses on Wednesday, June 8th.

Strategies for a Profitable Vascular Lab
Rita Shugart, RN RVT FSVU, Shugart Consulting
8:00am - 5:00pm (Separate registration required)
**Sponsored by Surgidex**

ICAVL Accreditation Workshop
Marge Hutchisson, LPN RVT RCVT RDCS; ICAVL Technical Manager
1:00 - 4:00pm (Free, but registration required)

Updates in Diagnostic Criteria: Vascular Interpretation
Moderator: George Berdejo, RVT FSVU
   Renal Stent Criteria-- Michael Jaff, DO RVT RPVI
   Peripheral Stent Criteria -- Dennis Bandyk, MD RVT
   Aortic Endograft Criteria -- George Berdejo, BA RVT FSVU
   Venous Insufficiency Criteria -- Joe Zygmunt, RVT
   Carotid Criteria -- Heather Gornik, MD RVT RPVI
1:00 - 4:00pm (Separate registration required)
**Sponsored in part by Toshiba American Medical Systems, Inc., Siemens and GE Healthcare**

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Even if you aren't planning to attend the Pre-Conference Sessions described above, chances are you will be in town Wednesday night so please join us for the SVU Member Meet and Greet Reception!! Reconnect with long-time friends, meet new people, get your Annual Conference experience started on a great note!

Date: Wednesday June 8th, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Place: Westin Copley Place Hotel, Staffordshire Room (3rd floor)
** Co-Sponsored by Healthcare Providers Services Organization and Massachusetts General Hospital**

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See you there!
Kari

Get ready Boston: SVU is coming to town!

2010-05-04T12:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Society for Vascular Ultrasound's blog for the 2010 Annual Conference in Boston!

The meeting is a little over a month away, and we sincerely hope you are planning to join us. Paula Walsh, Annual Conference Program Committee Chair, and her team have brought together our Society's best-of-the-best to make this a truly stellar meeting:

Pre-Conference Courses on Wednesday, June 9: Strategies for a Profitable Vascular Lab, ICAVL Accreditation Workshop, and Updates in Diagnostic Criteria: Vascular Interpretation
SVU Meet and Greet Reception: Reconnect with longtime friends and make new friends as well!
Opening Night Reception for the Vascular Annual Meeting in the Exhibit Hall: Prepare yourself to eat, drink and be astounded at all the technology and education on display!
8 early morning Tutorial Sessions: Dive deeper into specific topics with these masters of vascular ultrasound!
3 Lunch with the Expert Sessions: You too can multitask--Dine and learn with these experts!
Technical Showcase: See what the ultrasound manufacturers are doing these days to keep you one step ahead of the disease!
Joint Sessions: The Society for Vascular Ultrasound and The Society for Vascular Surgery come together, and you know it's going to be good.

If you have not yet registered to attend this meeting, what are you waiting for? You can register online right now: SVU Annual Conference Registration You can also register on-site at the meeting, so don't "not come" because of that. We want to see you there!

Follow this blog, where I'll be telling you more about what you can expect from each of these fabulous SVU Annual Conference sessions, as well as tips for getting around Boston, unique and don't-miss things to see while you're in town, eating and shopping ideas, and more!

Kari Olmsted, BS, RVT