April 2007 | Vol. 25, No. 4

An open letter from Bruce Mashburn, 2006-2007 Student Representative on the Board of Directors

Over the past year, I have had the great fortune of serving on the SVU’s Board of Directors as the Student Representative. I would like to briefly share my experience with you in hopes that you too will realize the enjoyment that comes from being a part of such a motivated group of individuals, such as those who serve on the SVU’s Board of Directors and its committees.

In the early months of 2006, I was notified that I had been selected as the Student Representative to the SVU’s Board of Directors for 2006. Shocked and elated at the same time, I was totally taken by surprise with the news. I think my instructor, Mr. Leif Penrose, stated it correctly when he said, “some people have all the luck.” Suddenly, my interest in vascular sonography, and its opportunities, grew even more.

My first actual experience with the SVU and its Board of Directors began with the 2006 SVU Annual Conference in Philadelphia. As I arrived at the venue in Philly, I found myself surrounded by vibrant, upbeat, and charismatic members of the vascular ultrasound community. As I was introduced to other Board and committee members, I found them to be very kind and welcoming. My nervousness was quickly replaced by a sense of family as I joined in the Board meeting discussions. Having served on several community Boards and committees at the local level, I was highly impressed by the level of professionalism maintained during the SVU Board meeting. Though a lighthearted atmosphere could always be felt throughout the room, it was obvious that the issues at hand were taken very seriously, and the best interest of the vascular ultrasound community was of the utmost importance. I walked away from the Philadelphia conference proud to be a part of the SVU, and I found myself eager to support others within the vascular ultrasound industry.

Time passed somewhat slowly for me as I pushed forward with my ultrasound training. Though I found the content of my education interesting, life as a student began to remind me of my days in boot camp where I was eager to check off another day of survival. However, the weeks and months did pass by, and before I knew it, the time had come for another SVU Board meeting.

The second Board meeting I attended was in Ft. Lauderdale, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Nothing takes the mind away like a trip to Florida in the winter. The weather was absolutely fabulous, and I soon realized how the term “snow-bird” came to be. The day’s meeting took on a somewhat different tone than the meeting in Philly. Though issues at hand were again discussed in great detail, a good bit of time was spent looking internally at the SVU and searching for ways to make improvements to the organization as a whole. I honestly did not feel improvements were in need, but following the session, it was apparent that there is always room for improvement. As the meeting wrapped up, I realized how lucky I was to have been given this golden opportunity as a student. The effort that goes into running the SVU cannot be fully realized until one has been present and taken part in a SVU Board meeting. After seeing the level of passion and energy the SVU’s Board members put into making it a successful organization, I have decided that my support for the SVU will continue throughout my professional career.

I have made many new friends due to my Student Representative experience, and I would like to thank each of you for your support over the past year. Doors have been opened for me due to my SVU Board experience, and I believe being a part of the SVU has helped me see the “bigger” picture somewhat more clearly. With this in mind, I encourage all members of the vascular community to become involved with the SVU in one form or another, and especially urge the student members to consider submitting an application to serve as the student representative on the SVU Board of Directors.

Bruce Mashburn
2006-2007 Student Representative
SVU Board of Directors