February 2006 | Vol. 24, No. 2

SVU Board Director Profile

Terrance D. Case, MEd, RVTS

Assistant Professor and Program Director
Bachelor of Health Science/Vascular Sonography Program
Nova Southeastern University
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

What degrees and credentials do you have?

I have a Physicians Assistant degree from Dartmouth College, and a Masters in Education from Harvard University. I also got my RVT credential from ARDMS in 1988.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I got started in the vascular technology profession in 1980.

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

My first job out of graduate school in 1980 was as a Physicians Assistant in the Department of Vascular Surgery at a Cambridge, MA, hospital. Part of my duties was to run the vascular laboratory, which back then utilized Oculoplethysmography, Phleboreography and Pulse Volume Recordings. I discovered after a short time I had more independence as a vascular technologist than I did as a PA. With the advent of Duplex ultrasound, I made the decision to dedicate all my time to the rapidly evolving field of vascular technology.

What do you like best about your current position?

I have always wanted to teach and early in my career I was an applications specialist for Diasnoics Ultrasound, which is now GE Ultrasound. I got to travel all over the country, learn form the experts and meet wonderful people. Now I am teaching again, fulfilling a long standing dream to start a Bachelors Degree program in Vascular Ultrasound at a university.

When did you join SVU?

I joined SVU, then SVT, in 1987.

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

I have served on the SVT Education Committee (1991-1997), the SVT Abstract Committee (1994-1997), the SVT Publications Committee (1995-1997), the SVT/SVU Education Committee (2000 to present), and the SVT Board of Directors (1996-1998). I also recently got appointed by SVU President Melissa Vickery to be the Chair of the Products Committee.

What motivated you to run for the Board of Directors?

I feel that education is one of the most important challenges for our society in the 21st century. We have all witnessed the growing lack of proficiency of many vascular studies being performed by individuals (I am reluctant to use the word “sonographers”), not trained in vascular technology. I believe the Society for Vascular Ultrasound, combined with physicians who care about quality studies, can grow this profession to the level of excellence and recognition it well deserves. As a Board Director, I have the best opportunity to learn from the best and channel ideas back to the membership to further the mission of educational excellence in the profession.

What do you hope to accomplish while being on the Board?

My interest is to acquire and develop education and training products that will improve the understanding and skills of sonographers performing vascular studies. This would initially include a library of interactive CD ROM Protocol Guides for the novice as well as the experienced vascular technologist. The goal is to elevate the basic understanding and skills for the sonographer performing vascular studies and instill consistency of the protocols being performed.

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

I believe the biggest challenge facing the profession is the ability to maintain the quality, and indeed the identity, of vascular technology in an environment of managed care, “turf battles” and in federal budgetary cuts. Some sonologists believe that a specialization in vascular sonography is unnecessary and that any sonographer can perform vascular studies. Unfortunately, some politicians believe that by reducing reimbursement for vascular studies, money can be saved. Yet we have seen over and over the poor quality of studies being done by non-credentialed technologists that require repeat examinations, physician misdiagnosis and more expensive invasive procedures. All SVU members need to support the efforts of the Society for Vascular Ultrasound and its Government Relations Committee to insure the quality and effectiveness of vascular technology is preserved.

What tips would you give to today's ultrasound students about their career in the vascular ultrasound profession?

Get involved! Support SVU! Join SVU as a student member as well as local vascular societies! And continue a life-long voyage of continuing education to ensure your position as an expert in a field of vascular technology. Therapeutic vascular procedures may change, but ultrasound and Doppler continue to solidify its reputation as the most accurate, non-invasive and cost-effective technology available. Your job is to make sure you can understand, adapt and even develop new techniques to assist the clinician in making a vascular diagnosis. SVU will help educate you, connect you with colleagues to support and mentor you, and provide you with a platform to deliver your ideas and discoveries.

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

By continuing to encourage and support the development of vascular educational programs.

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

Membership to SVU has not only helped to develop me professionally, but I have developed many deep friendships with colleagues in the vascular ultrasound profession that I have known over 25 years.

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

Sitting on a sunny beach, drinking a cool beverage and enjoying a fascinating article in the Journal for Vascular Ultrasound!