August 2005 | Vol. 23, No. 8

SVU Member Profile

Ruth Manire, MHA RT RVT

Vascular Lab Supervisor in Noninvasive Cardiology
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Sarasota, Florida

When did you start your current position?

I started this position in October 2004; however I was the Interim Manager of Cardiovascular Diagnostics since August 2003. It was decided to divide the position into a Supervisor of the Vascular Lab & a Supervisor of the Echo Lab.

What degrees and credentials do you have?

I have been an RVT since 1994. I am also a RT (Radiologic Technologist) for more years than I want to admit to. I have a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I have been in vascular ultrasound for thirteen years and an invasive angiography technologist for nine years. I feel my experience in invasive angiography gave me a solid background and knowledge base for my current work in vascular ultrasound.

What and where was your first job in vascular technology?

I first worked in invasive angiography in Greenville Hospital in Greenville, PA, and was hired as an angiography tech at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in 1984. I was offered the opportunity to train as a vascular ultrasound technologist in 1992 and have been in the field ever since.

When did you join SVU?

I joined the SVU in 1993 on the recommendation of Keith Mauney when I attended one of his courses. He emphasized the importance of belonging to the SVU as a means of staying current on the technology and issues.

What do you like best about your current position?

I like the challenge of management while still being able to have hands-on scanning time with the patients. I feel one can lose perception of some the issues the technologists face if you are not in the lab facing the same issues.

Have you served on an SVU Committee, if so, which one(s) and when?

I served on the SVU Publications Committee in 2001 and the Awards Committee in 2002 and 2003.

Are you a member of an SVU Affiliated Chapter?

I am a member of the Suncoast Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SSVU).

What positions have you served at that chapter, if any, and when?

I have been President of the SSVU Chapter since 2003. I served as Vice-President from 2002-2003 and as Treasurer from 1998-2002. I have also worked on the Planning Committee for three regional SSVU conferences and am the Program Director for the SSVU Regional Conference to be held in October.

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

I feel the recent development of the Chapters Committee Listserv has been a tremendous advancement in effective communications between SVU and its Affiliated Chapters.

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

I believe that staffing issues due to a shortage of vascular technologists is a major challenge for vascular technologists today. Hospitals and other facilities are feeling monetary constraints and being able to remain competitive in salary and benefits is going to become a vital part of hiring and retaining technologists.

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

The SVU already does a great job in serving its members. The SVU website provides valuable information from legislative issues to education. I feel the SVU should continue monitoring and addressing legislation and regulations that affect our profession. Support of students who will be the future of vascular technology is also important.

Any other comments you would like to add about your membership in SVU?

I feel that being a member of SVU is an important way for me to say that I support all the work the SVU does in promoting the field of vascular technology.

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

I love to travel and learn about different cultures in the countries I visit. One of my real passions is volunteering at the Dolphin and Whale Hospital at Mote Marine Laboratory and helping to rehabilitate stranded dolphins, small whales and sea turtles. I have been able to assist with X-rays and ultrasound procedures on the animals, which can be very challenging since the acoustic windows are limited. It is very rewarding when we are able to rehabilitate an animal and release it back into the wild!