April 2006 | Vol. 24, No. 4

SVU Board Director Profile

David P. Parlato, BA RVT

Technical Director, Vascular Lab
The Christ Hospital
Midwest Ultrasound Inc.
Cincinnati, OH

What degrees and credentials do you have?

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH, and two years of post-graduate medical education at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. I received my RVT credential from ARDMS in 1996.

How long have you been in the vascular technology profession?

I have been in the vascular ultrasound profession since 1995.

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

I was strongly considering becoming a bench researcher. I have a solid background in human anatomy, physiology and pathology, and love anything hi-tech, but I also really enjoy working directly with patients. I happened upon an opening at the John Cranley Vascular Lab in Cincinnati. Like most, I had no idea what went on in a “Vascular Lab,” so I did some investigation and spoke with the lab directors, Jennifer Winkler and Dr. Joann Lohr. I found out I had an opportunity to start a career in a little-known field where I would have hands-on direct patient care, research opportunity, and would work all day long with constantly evolving, cutting-edge imaging equipment. The Cranley Lab had a technologist training program at the time, and I was fortunate to “learn the ropes” in an enriching environment from talented technologists and vascular surgery fellows.

What do you like best about your current position?

I currently work with Midwest Ultrasound Inc. and oversee the Vascular Lab at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati as its Technical Director. I try to maintain an environment that fosters learning and respect, both toward patients and each other. I really feel I’m one of the primary beneficiaries of the environment we’ve created here. I love to learn as much as I love to teach, and there are never too many opportunities for both. The team we have here brings a diverse mix of experiences, expertise and culture, but always shares the same goal of helping each other to help our patients. The senior management of Midwest Ultrasound has a uniformly strong clinical background, and, as such, understands the pressures and supports the issues important to our technologists. Midwest is also a very strong advocate of professional service. Our CEO Michael Schwebler, SVU’s President-Elect, has mentored me in innumerable ways toward leadership in the Society, and allows me a lot of occupational latitude to work on Society business. I have similar support from my hospital administration, many of whom I’ve worked with for years.

When did you join SVU?

I joined SVU, then SVT, in 1996, early in my career at the strong suggestion of Jennifer Winkler, my first Technical Director. She was a long-time SVU member and described the educational and advocacy benefits of membership in SVU while I was just learning about the field.

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

I’ve been the Chair of the Membership Committee since the end of 2004. Our committee is proud to have come off a record year in both new members and total membership. I also currently participate on the Chapters Committee, Nominations Committee and Annual Conference Committee.

What motivated you to run for the SVU Board of Directors?

Working with Michael Schwebler and Michael Sampson as mentors has really opened my eyes to the importance and benefits of service. It’s of course much easier just to show up at work every day, and trust that the field will change in only the ways you hope it will. But I’ve learned just how many talented people and how much hard work it takes “behind the scenes” to ensure vascular technology remains a valuable and viable entity in medicine. The great experience I’ve had in committee work exposed me to the inner workings of the Board of Directors. To a person, everyone from the Executive Committee to other Board members, to the SVU staff has been very supportive. It’s just a real thrill to work with so many highly talented, highly motivated people who all want to improve and protect the Vascular Technology profession.

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

My first goal, wearing my Membership Committee Chair hat, is to broadcast the message about what great benefits the SVU has to offer to vascular ultrasound technologists and sonographers. Our member numbers are at record levels, but our Society's voice is only as strong as our group is large. Second, I feel very strongly about the importance of maintaining and promoting quality standards for our profession. I plan to support all SVU and coalition initiatives related to credentialing and accreditation. I’d also like to be involved in public education, about what the SVU Professional Performance Guidelines really mean to the patients and their physicians.

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

We’re working harder, longer hours with relatively fewer, older (self included) sonographers on a burgeoning population of vascular health care consumers. We need solutions to both ends of this rapidly-burning candle.

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

1. Never forget that what you do every day for each patient is critically important to that person, regardless of how clinically important it seems to you. Never forget that each test is not just a “Doppler” or an “add-on right leg,” but an anxious, sick, scared person who trusts your personal training, skill and compassion to get them through their test, and hopefully help them to get well. They will not always communicate this to you, but know it’s true. You owe it to every patient you will see in your future career to give your best in school, obtain your registry, continue to learn, and to champion the SVU Professional Performance Guidelines of quality in vascular ultrasound. In return, if you allow yourself to, you will learn something valuable from each and every patient you meet.
2. Participate in the SVU at the student, local and national levels. It’s stimulating to meet people just like you with similar problems, goals and aspirations. Start small: join your local affiliated chapter. Or jump in with both feet and join a SVU Committee!

How can SVU better serve its members in the future?

We hope to offer even more opportunities for career-long learning. Ours is a rapidly evolving profession, and our education has to keep up with the changes. The SVU, as “the Voice for the vascular ultrasound profession since 1977,” embraces the responsibility to foster these educational opportunities for our membership.

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

I really enjoy photography of all kinds. Taking and editing digital photos has to be my favorite hobby. I also play in a few softball leagues in the summer. I can occasionally be seen golfing, when I really have some time and angst to burn.

Any other comments you would like to add about your personal life, such as spouse and family

I’m very lucky to have just married my wife, Christine, in February. I now have two very bright, very beautiful daughters, Alex (13) and Nicole (22), and one very bad cat.