March 2004 | Vol. 22/No. 3

President's Message

Each One Reach One

by George L. Berdejo, BA RVT FSVU

Greetings Members,

Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow recently indicating six more weeks of winter; however the SVU Board of Directors was greeted with unusually mild and friendly weather for the "Spring" Board Meeting in Virginia Beach, VA, last month.

Many important issues were discussed during the course of the three-day Board meeting, among them, the reorganization of the Government Relations Committee, with Bill Schroedter as Chair; a revival of the Carrier Medical Director Network Committee as a subcommittee of the former; and expansion of the role of the Abstract Committee to include possible mentor opportunities for those new to the process of writing abstracts. The Board also agreed to adopt a membership recruitment theme for 2004 of "Each One Reach One." Each SVU member is being urged to help double SVU membership by getting at least one additional vascular technologist to join SVU in 2004.

The Chapters Committee reported on the formation of new affiliated chapters in Arizona, New York, California and West Virginia, and two new affiliated "Student" Chapters associated with the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) and the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Many other important issues were discussed and I will report on these throughout the course of the year.

The Board Meeting was highlighted by a discussion of SVU's Strategic Plan, VISION 2005. Several key initiatives have already been implemented and can be seen on the SVU Website at www.svunet.org/mo/tools/Strategic_Plan.pdf. Michael Schwebler, SVU Vice President, has assumed ownership of the administration of the general management of the Strategic Plan and has already devised an "action plan template" designed to assist individual objective owners to execute their portion of the Strategic Plan. I am confident that VISION 2005 will come to fruition under Mike's capable management.

I am happy to report that the Board was able to cover the entirety of its planned meeting agenda, a very busy and lengthy one over two days. This is a testament to the efficiency of the Board members and SVU Executive Director Steve Haracznak. Thanks to the Board and the Executive Committee for their hard work, preparation and valuable input.

I would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Kathy Carter and her family for their hospitality and to Vascular and Transplant Specialists of Norfolk, VA, for sponsoring the Board dinner at her home on Friday night.

Last weekend SVU held its first Vascular Ultrasound Introductory Interpretation Course of 2004 in Miami, Florida. The Meetings Committee has planned three additional 2004 Interpretation Courses for Las Vegas, NV (April 23-25), Nashville, TN (Aug. 27-29), and Atlanta, GA (Oct. 23-24). In addition, on June 2 in Anaheim, CA, SVU and SVS are sponsoring a joint Advanced Topics and Current Issues in Vascular Laboratory Practice Interpretation Course.

SVU members should be making plans now to attend SVU's 27 th Annual Conference, June 3-5 in Anaheim, CA, during the Vascular Annual Meeting 2004. The Annual Conference Preliminary Program was mailed in early February to all SVU members. Register for the Annual Conference before May 3 to take advantage of the discounted early registration fee. This year's Annual Conference promises to be one of the best for SVU as there are many excellent scientific sessions planned. In addition, there will be a combined exhibition along with the members of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). Plan to bring your family and have some fun together in exciting Anaheim, CA, home to Disneyland and many other attractions.

In closing, on behalf of the SVU Board of Directors, I want to assure you that the SVU leadership will continue to work diligently to meet the needs of its membership and will continue to be the VOICE FOR THE VASCULAR ULTRASOUND PROFESSION . Best of wishes and health to you and your families. DON'T FORGET: Each One Reach One, our membership recruitment theme and goal for 2004, the year of multiplication of membership for the SVU. Thanks for your support of SVU!

George L. Berdejo, BA, RVT