Kathleen Palmieri, RVT

President/Senior Consultant
Cardiovascular Technology Resources
A Division of KRP Accreditation Specialists, Inc.
Skaneateles, NY

When did you start your current position?

I started in this position in 1995.

What degrees and credentials do you have?

I have a Nursing Diploma (RN) from St. Mary's Franciscan Hospital School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, and the RVT credential from ARDMS in 1986.

Where and when did you get your vascular training?

I started my vascular training in 1981 at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, under the direction of Carl Bredenberg, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery. The Dept. of Surgery was opening a vascular lab and wanted a critical care nurse who was willing to learn a new area of testing. My first training program was in OPG at Tucson Medical Center. Most of my training was from application specialists when we bought new equipment. There were no formal training programs in the early 80's; we all learned from each other. In 1986, Sandy Katanick, Polly Wilson and I started the Pittsburgh Vascular Review. This was an annual program for those studying for the RVT exam. This program was very successful for 10 years with over 1000 attendees.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I have been in the vascular profession for 26 years. I started at Upstate Medical Center and after 13 years decided that I needed to learn more about cardiology and joined New York Heart Center doing vascular studies. I taught them vascular and they taught me echo. I worked there until 1998. From 1994-1999, I was the East Coast Regional Education Consultant for Hewlett Packard and taught vascular imaging at their training programs.

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

I was a critical care nurse and needed a day job. I loved the idea of starting my own lab, working with surgeons and working with patients before they got to a critical care unit.

When did you join SVU?

I joined the Society, then called SNIVT, in 1981 after hearing about this organization from Valerie Crain.

What do you like best about your current position?

I work with vascular and echo labs as a consultant for the accreditation process. This job involves much more than filling in the blanks of the accreditation application. The scope varies from policy writing, case study review, management issues, and marketing. I love the variety of clients and enjoy seeing them improve and succeed with accreditation and credentialing.

On which SVU Committees have you served and when?

I served on SVU’s Membership Committee in the 1980's, and on the Annual Conference Planning Committee (2004-2006).

Are you a member of an SVU Affiliated Chapter?

No, in the 1980's there was the Northeast Regional Vascular Technologists (NERVT) under the direction of Polly Wilson, but currently we do not have a local chapter in Upstate NY.

What positions have you served at that chapter and when?

I was Vice President for NERVT in the 1980’s.

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

Networking is key in this profession. Since vascular technologist are a relatively small group it is important to know who to call when you need advice and to share ideas to improve labs, manage positions and learn new modalities.

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

There is an increasing demand for vascular studies due to the aging population and fewer well trained techs to do the work. Hospitals have limited resources for enticing new staff and money is tight. To have successful labs, we need good techs that need to be compensated for their skills. Adequate training programs need to be developed so that skill sets are standardized and promote more qualified technologists.

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

This is a great profession, jobs are available and flexibility with schedules can be provided. Work hard, keep current and maintain professionalism. We will soon be YOUR patients.

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

Continue to work for the Society’s members and be affordable for all members. Since educational money is limited and salaries and extra money for education is limited, it is very valuable to have online support.

Any other comments you would like to add about your membership in SVU since 1981 and how the Society has changed?

If you are going to participate in a career that has a professional organization, join it and keep abreast of new happenings in the field. Continued growth in a field like this is very important for continued success. I have met many wonderful people in this organization and some have continued to be good friends for over 25 years.

If married, name of Spouse and Children (what are their names and ages)

My husband, Larry, is a practice manager at the Retina Surgery Group in Syracuse, NY. My daughter Jennifer, MSW, works as a social worker in an alternative school in the City of Syracuse (NY). She is 31 and recently attended an international workshop on alternative education in Geneva, Switzerland. Our son, Matt, is 18 and a senior in high school and drummer in a jazz band. In the summers he is a camp counselor and will be going to Champlain College in Burlington, VT, in the Fall.

Any Pets?

No pets, but our daughter has two dogs.

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

I exercise daily, either in a gym or swimming. In the summers, I garden and enjoy Skaneateles Lake (Finger Lake). In the winter, I paint (watercolors), enjoy cooking and sewing and am very busy with community activities. Currently, I am on the Board of the Skaneateles Arts Council. In 2007 I was chosen Citizen of the Year by the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce for community service. Every Spring I chair the Heart Health Awareness program in our community that includes lectures by physicians and health care provides in our community, heart disease screening and frequently work with Crouse Hospital (Syracuse) with their Go Red for Women Campaign. In 1994, I had a heart attack; this is my way of giving back for saving my life. My husband is a Board Member of a local soup kitchen, the Samaritan Center, and we both do fundraising to support their needs. I love the ocean and try to vacation somewhere near a beach every year. And in my free time, I started a business making cakes for special events called “Icing on the Cake.”