February 2005 | Vol. 23, No. 2

SVU Board Member Profile

Tom Baer, MBA RVT RDMS RDCS
U.S. Product Manager
Diagnostics Product Division
Huntleigh Healthcare L.L.C.
Eatontown, New Jersey

How long have you been with your current employer?

I joined Huntleigh three (3) years ago.

What do you like best about your current position?

I love the complexity of this job and all of the different roles that I am involved in. As a Product Manager, I am involved with marketing, product development, corporate and customer education, troubleshooting and anything else that involves our Doppler product line. I am also fortunate to be able to travel and meet with technologists and medical personnel from all types of medical disciplines. This position lets me integrate all my career experiences. Everyday is a challenge and I am never bored.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

After college I began my career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist doing cerebral flow studies of the brain in the 1970’s. Like others at the time, I was willingly pulled into ultrasound and eventually expanded into vascular technology. As each new opportunity presented itself, I have acquired multiple registries. I have also been fortunate enough to work clinically and commercially in many aspects of our profession.

When did you become certified by ARDMS as an RVT?

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth – 1991.

On which SVU Committees have you served or are serving on now?

I am the Chair of the Vendor Relations Committee

What do you like best about serving on the SVU Board of Directors?

Two things. One is gaining a different perspective on our profession. The Board does an amazing job in maintaining the credibility of our members and acting as a positive change advocate for this profession. I don’t think our membership fully appreciates the extent to which the SVU leadership is involved in the advocacy of vascular technology. The other is the privilege and honor of working with the volunteer members of the Board. This is truly an amazingly talented and dedicated group of individuals.

How do you think SVU and the vascular profession vendors can work better together in the future to best benefit the profession?

Many technologists perceive vendors only as sales people. Selling in today’s environment requires that vendors be much more. Vendors are a great resource for current knowledge, training/education opportunities and new product development. Forging ties with company reps is another great way to keep informed about what is happening commercially and clinically throughout the industry.

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

Job burnout. Every year brings more and more demands on the resources that are available to technologists. We are all being asked to do more with less. Good medical care is a result of people not machines. The medical field sometimes loses sight of this and does not support their people. All too often, education is the first thing cut in times of budget cuts. It bothers me that so many experienced vascular technologists leave the field due to burnout.

Any other personal comments you would like to add about SVU?

I feel it’s important that everyone understands that we are all in this together. The SVU Board of Directors has devoted considerable time to discussing ways that we can unite as a profession. This doesn’t mean that you have to work on the Board directly. We all can play a part supporting the profession by setting personal standards, mentoring our co-workers, urging more vascular technologists we work with to join SVU, making your thoughts known, and believing that we will provide the best care anywhere.

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

My wife and I are constantly doing home despair and improvement. We love the challenge and yes, it is a great way to get away from hustle of my working life. We have many mutual hobbies, three dogs and a love of good company.