February 2006 | Vol. 24, No. 2

President's Message

by Melissa A. Vickery, LPN-B, RVT

Message from New SVU President

As I begin my tenure as SVU President, one of my first privileges is that of the President’s Message in this online newsletter. I would like to thank Immediate Past President George Berdejo for his dedication and thoughtful approach to serving as President of our Society, and his focused drive to increase our membership by reaching out to others in our profession on a personal level. As you can see by our recent record-breaking membership numbers for 2005 (757 new members and a total of 4,200 members), George’s member recruitment campaign of Each One—Reach One was a very successful approach that brought our membership numbers to their highest level yet. I believe this continues to demonstrate the stability of our membership and the desire to keep SVU as the source for vascular ultrasound. I also want to recognize the following outgoing Board of Director members -- Kathy Carter, Courtney Nelms and Carol Miranda -- for their service to the board and the membership and for their hard work and support in helping to accomplish the goals we as a Society have set.

When I knew the time was drawing near to share my thoughts with the membership, I took the opportunity to review the issues that were looming for those who came before me. I was struck by the fact that the issues facing our Society in the past, still continue to require our attention today. Reimbursement issues continue to plague us. As you know from the January e-Spectrum, we are facing devastating decreases in vascular ultrasound reimbursement, which will impact how and where we practice our profession, in addition to if we can. I want to thank Bill Schroeder, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, for the detailed article he provided to the membership in the January newsletter regarding the Budget Reconciliation Bill and how this will affect us practicing in the field and the patient’s access to care. To combat this proposed reduction, it will require partnering with other societies to act in a unified voice to affect a change. We will continue to update our membership on what we are doing, and what you can do to help us, by contacting the appropriate individuals in your state, who could amend or remove this unsuspected reimbursement reduction from the Bill.

Credentialing and competency in our profession continues to be on the forefront, and has been of considerable concern for sometime. Support of credentialing, which demonstrates minimal competency in the field is of significant importance. I have saved all of my Spectrum’s over the years, and I came across an article from the 1994 Spectrum, which was a “Call To Arms” for the Society, in which these similar concerns were addressed. We as a Society understand that the Department of Labor does not recognize what we do as a specialty, and consequently vascular technologists are combined with like type professions, despite the fact that vascular ultrasound is different from them. Discussions continue on how best to address this and there are concerns related to changing our credential name.

George Berdejo, in his final message to the membership in the December 2005 issue of e-Spectrum, did an excellent job of defining where we are now. In the next two years, it is my goal to see that the short-term goals defined by the new Strategic Plan are accomplished. The accomplishment of these goals can only be realized by working together -- Board of Directors and the membership.

I look forward to serving as your President, and I understand the value of listening to the membership, Board of Directors, and those of experience around me. SVU has survived many ups and downs, and I believe that is due to the dedication and passion that is exhibited by the staff, Board of Directors and the membership. Your opportunity to be a part of a society that is the source for vascular ultrasound is not limited. I encourage you to find out where your talents can enhance your Society, and be rewarding to you both professionally and personally.