February 2007 | Vol. 25, No. 2

President's Message

by Melissa A. Vickery, LPN-B, RVT

President’s Message
By Melissa Vickery, LPN-B, RVT

Challenges Ahead for 2007

Welcome to 2007 and the many challenges that arrive with the New Year. I hope this message finds you all doing well. SVU had a very busy and challenging year in 2006, as was demonstrated by the extensive information available on the SVU website and the e-Spectrum newsletter to both members and nonmembers.

Committe Restructuring

In accordance with our current Strategic Plan and the Society’s Mission, we recently realigned the existing committees and how they report their work and accomplishments. The Society will now have four main Committees with corresponding subcommittees. The Chair of each of the four main Committees will give the report for each subcommittee group at the Board Meetings.

The following are the four key areas that align with the Strategic Plan:

• ADVOCACY (formerly known as Government Relations)Will be chaired by Dave Parlato, BA RVT. There are no subcommittees to this area, but some Vice Chairs who will assist the Chair in issues that arise or are ongoing.
• EDUCATION - Chair Judy A. Fried, RN RVT CVN FSVU. The subcommittees under Judy’s area are Academics, Meetings, Products, CMEs, and Guidelines.
• ANNUAL CONFERENCE -Chair Paula Heggerick, RVT RDMS FSVU. Paula’s subcommittees will be Abstracts, Awards, and Vendor Relations.
• MEMBERSHIP - Chair Deborah Pirt, RVT FSVU. The subcommittees for Membership will be Nominations, Chapters, Fellows, and Ethics.

It was determined that realigning how the Committees work will assist in accomplishing the goals that the Board identified with the refinement of the Strategic Plan.

DRA

As many of you are aware, the cuts in reimbursement, as a result of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA), began on January 1, 2007. It is still surprising how many individuals are not aware of, or have not sought out information related to, the impact these devastating cuts in reimbursement will have to their outpatient labs. SVU has tried many avenues to alert and educate members and nonmembers about the DRA. I urge you to refer those who are not informed on this important issue to go the SVU website, and review the archived e-Spectrum and website information. SVU will continue to monitor the changes the DRA has brought about, and will stay abreast of ways that we can join with other like groups to address concerns and possible options to help lessen the reimbursement cuts. SVU will continue to provide information via the website and the e-Spectrum online newsletter, and alert the membership via email when appropriate on how you can assist with this ongoing issue as we continue to talk with CMS regarding possible regulatory fixes to minimize the reimbursement cuts.

CQU

As you may remember from previous President Messages, I have referred to SVU’s participation in the Coalition for Quality in Ultrasound (CQU). CQU has provided a strong information exchange regarding various ultrasound initiatives, especially a requirement for Technologist/Sonographer credentialing and/or vascular lab accreditation for ultrasound reimbursement in all state Local Coverage Determinations (LCD). CQU is currently working with the carrier medical directors at Noridian Administrative Services to try and get technologist credentialing and/or vascular lab accreditation as a requirement in the LCD policies that would involve the 13 states under Noridian’s direction.

Support SVU's Advocacy Efforts

Members renewing their membership in SVU for 2007 have shown generosity in making optional voluntary contributions to the Government Relations (Advocacy) Fund and/or the Anne Jones Scholarship Fund. During the SVU 29th Annual Conference, held in Philadelphia, PA, last June, the first Anne Jones Educational Scholarship was provided to co-recipients, each receiving a $1,250 scholarship for the fall 2006 school year. In 2007, the 2nd annual Anne Jones Educational Scholarship will provide up to $2,500 for the fall 2007 school year. SVU is very proud to be able to provide this scholarship opportunity for vascular ultrasound students.

In closing, SVU is constantly trying to determine through many venues how we can better serve our membership and the public. Given that, I would like to initiate an “Ask the President” email opportunity for SVU members. I am providing my email address below so that members (and nonmembers) can email me with questions or comments regarding SVU. By continuing to encourage interaction, I feel that the National Office staff and the Board of Directors can better provide service to our members and the public. SVU’s Strategic Plan can be a reality and our Mission further strengthened, all it takes is involvement on some level by the membership.

SVU members also have a prime opportunity to be involved with the upcoming 2007 SVU Annual Election in June to determine who the members will be to lead SVU in 2008 and beyond. Your vote is important, I urge you to participate in this important election process.

My email address is vickerym@vasurgical.com; I look forward to hearing from you.

My best to all!