Brian P. Hembling, BS RVT

Lab Director
Peripheral Vascular Associates and
Partner in Frenel Solutions
San Antonio, TX

What is your current title and employer?

I have two jobs. I am the Lab Director for Peripheral Vascular Associates and a Partner in Frenel Solutions in San Antonio, TX. Peripheral Vascular Associates is a large and friendly practice of 16 vascular surgeons and 22 vascular technologists that is a Titanium Signature Lab Member of SVU. Frenel Solutions is a vascular lab reporting and accreditation software company.

What degrees and credentials do you have?

I’ve been a member of SVU since 1995; I received my Bachelors degree from the Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls, OR) in Vascular Ultrasound in 1997, and my RVT that summer from ARDMS.

What motivated you to run for the Board of Directors?

Over the years, I have been involved with patient care, starting and accrediting labs, local SVU chapter service, vendor companies and education. Although taking good care of my patients comes first, I have always felt the draw to help organize the education of professionals entering this field.

One of my favorite accomplishments has been working with the vascular ultrasound programs such as the Oregon Institute of Technology and inviting their students down to San Antonio to learn with us. Eventually I started a vascular program here in San Antonio, but in the end it failed. That failure inspired me to put more effort into helping existing vascular education programs succeed, such as Rush University in Chicago, Virginia College of Austin, TX, and NOVA Southeastern University of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I fully appreciate the effort the program directors must invest in these programs, and take pride in fostering relationships between quality ultrasound schools and quality clinical sites. Through these efforts, we have educated dozens of new technologists, and enhanced our ability to recruit and retain new talent in our region. It was also these activities that helped us create a closer community between vascular folks in our region and peaked my interested in becoming more involved in SVU.

What tips would you give to today's ultrasound professionals about their career in the vascular ultrasound profession?

I want to encourage each of you who aren’t currently associated with a vascular ultrasound program to dive in! Teaching can enhance your practice and become one of the most rewarding experiences of your career.

What do you hope to accomplish while being on the SVU Board of Directors?

As a Board Member of SVU I hope to continue to focus on promoting education and quality vascular ultrasound services by expanding on its relationship with each and every major discipline involved with the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease. This will become increasingly important as the disciplines involved in treating this disease diversify.

As these additional disciplines are becoming more active in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease, the vascular technologists role is expanding and becoming even more valued. Whether the treating practice is vascular surgery, cardiology, radiology, neurology or even family practice based, the skill and training of the vascular technologist is the number one predictor of the quality of the exam. SVU should be the source for continuing quality education for technologists working in all these types of practices.

There are many other challenges I hope to focus on over the next few years, from reimbursement to recruitment and many more. But most importantly I want to represent your concerns. If you want to share your thoughts, opinions, get more involved with education, or want to learn more about how to participate in SVU, please contact me at brian.hembling@gmail.com.