August 2004 | Vol. 22, No. 8

Start Planning Now to Participate in Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month in October

Recognizing the importance of increasing public awareness of medical ultrasound and promoting its value in health care, SVU and five other medical ultrasound organizations have joined together to again sponsor Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (MUAM) in October 2004. The first MUAM was celebrated in October 2003. The five other participating organizations in MAUM 2004 are the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).

The goal of Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month is to increase the public’s knowledge about medical ultrasound and its many uses in health care. Although much of the general public is familiar with the use of medical ultrasound during pregnancy, many people are unaware that ultrasound can be used throughout all stages of life and for various medical indications. MAUM provides ultrasound professionals with the opportunity to educate the public about the many uses of this fast growing technology, as well as a chance to celebrate their profession.

The AIUM, ARDMS, ASE, CCI, SDMS, and SVU are encouraging their members to participate in Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month by familiarizing and educating their patients about medical ultrasound through specially planned activities and educational materials.

For detailed information about how to participate this October in Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month in your local community go to http://www.svunet.org/newsroom/05.13.04.muam.htm for the 2004 MAUM Information kit and begin planning now so that you will be ready to participate this October. Please remember to notify SVU as to how your lab or hospital participated in MUAM 2004 so we can report your activities to all SVU members via e-Spectrum.

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month is a collaborative effort of the AIUM, ARDMS, ASE, CCI, SDMS, and SVU, who share the common goal of familiarizing and educating the public about medical ultrasound and its importance in health care.