Edward Hardy, BS RT RDMS RVS

Staff Technologist
UPMC Passavant Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pa

What is your current title and employer?

My current position is staff technologist at UPMC Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA where I do a variety of vascular cases including peripheral vascular, intra abdominals, and extra cranial cases along with some abdominal cases.

When did you start this position?

I moved from the hospital’s X-Ray Dept. to our Ultrasound Dept. in April 1991.

What degrees and credentials do you have?

After high school I attempted to be a professional college student with periods of time in pharmacy, pre-law, and teaching programs. I eventually had to graduate and have a B.S. in Biology from Ohio Northern University (1977). Since then I have added an RT (still active), an RDMS (abdominal), and my RVS.

Where and when did you get your vascular training?

My vascular training (which I consider to be always ongoing) has been on-the-job, paid programs, lots of books, seminars (many of them offered by the Greater Pittsburgh Vascular Technologists (GPVT) Chapter), and sometimes just seat of my pants.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I have been doing vascular sonography work for about 13 years, but started my vascular work in angiography about 25 years ago.

What made you decide to enter vascular technology as a career?

Vascular technology was just a natural progression in a desire to always learn more.

What and where was your first job in vascular technology?

I have been at Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh since finishing X-Ray school half a lifetime ago.

When did you join SVU?

I joined SVU in 2005.

What do you like best about your current position?

What I like best at work is being able to find the answer to a difficult medical problem that may lead to solving someone's health problem.

Are you a member of an SVU Affiliated Chapter?

Yes, I have been a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Vascular Technologists (GPVT) chapter for about eight years (time blurs).

If Yes, what positions have you served at that chapter and when?

I have been President of GPVT for two years and VP for two years prior to that.

How do you think SVU and its Chapters can work better together in the future?

I think the key to better working together is better communications and feedback between each organization.

What do you feel are the biggest issues facing vascular technologists today?

I think without a doubt there are two issues. First is the shortening of exam times that cause rushing of exams, both increasing errors and decreasing quality. The second issue is the increasing number of exams being done by people who are poorly qualified to be doing them.

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

Understanding the challenge and difficulty of the field, both technically and physically.

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

On a national level SVU needs to work harder to show the need to have registered vascular technologists doing vascular exams. On an individual level I would try to increase the learning availability of information to its members.

Name of Spouse and Children (what are their names and ages)

My wife Susan and I have been married for 30 years. We have 2 daughters — Amy (29) and Gretchen (16), a son - Pete (26), and 2 grandsons - Troy and Sean.

Do you have any pets?

We have two dogs, a cat (who will not acknowledge me) and a variety of fish.

What do you do for fun and relaxation when not working?

For fun and relaxation we read a lot and like to travel. I also golf and bowl, although some days it is neither fun nor relaxing.