March 2004 | Vol. 22/No. 3

SVU Member Profile

Ann Marie Kupinski, PhD RVT

Technical Director, Karmody Vascular Laboratory
The Vascular Group, PLLC
Albany Medical Center, Albany New York, and
Assistant Professor of Surgery at Albany Medical College

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I have been in the field of vascular technology since 1985.

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

You might say it was serendipity. I was doing research for the Department of Surgery and became involved with a project looking at carotid blood flow in trauma patients. The vascular surgery fellow conducting this research was in the early stages of setting up our vascular lab. They needed a technologist. I was looking for something new so I joined the vascular surgery division and was taught ultrasound on the job by our vascular surgery fellow.

What do you like best about your current position?

The best part of my current position is the great group of people I work with in our lab. Our technologists and secretaries are a lot of fun. We have some very stressful times (like everyone) but we get through it together! We always try to make sure the patient comes first - and that's what it is all about.

How do you stay up to date on changes in vascular technology?

I stay up to date on changes in vascular technology by reading various journals (JVU), participating in conferences, and via Internet sites like SVU's website.

If you are an RVT, when did you first become certified by ARDMS.

I became an RVT in 1986.

What is your educational background?

I have a BA in Biology from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. I earned my PhD in Physiology from Albany Medical College.

When did you join SVU?

I joined SNIVT in 1986, which of course became SVT then SVU.

Are you active in a SVU affiliated State/Regional Chapter?

We have no local chapter in my area.

On what SVU committees have you served or you are serving now?

I have been on numerous committees including Abstracts, Awards, Certification, Continuing Education, Nominations, and Publications. I am still on Abstracts and Awards. I am also Chair of the Fellows Subcommittee.

Have you served on the SVU Board of Directors?

I served on the SVU Board of Directors from 1991-1996.

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

I think the chapters represent the real basic roots of SVU. As a national organization SVU can learn much from its chapters. Chapter members can exchange information on a more personal level and quickly respond to local or regional issues.

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

A big challenge for us all is to maintain quality while meeting the demands in our busy labs. We have to be real experts in efficiency while still providing excellence in what we do. Secondly, we need to promote our profession so that we can encourage people to enter our field. Each of us should seek out opportunities to tell others about vascular technology and vascular ultrasound. We also need to help in the development of new ultrasound educational programs and support those established programs.

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

SVU, along with other organizations dedicated to ultrasound and vascular laboratories, needs to continue its national representation to government and insurers, and continue to encourage individual credentialing and laboratory accreditation. All these activities aid in promoting our profession and in the end that helps each one of us and our patients.

What do you do for fun when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my husband, Mitch and my son, Justin, and we like to travel. We've been on some great hikes in several national parks. When I'm home, I enjoy gardening in my vegetable and flower gardens, watching movies and reading novels.