November 2007 | Vol. 25, No. 11

News of the Vascular Profession

DRA Has Impact on Third Quarter Earnings for GE Healthcare and Philips Medical Systems

According to the AuntMinnie.com website for the radiology profession on October 15, 2007, the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) reimbursement cuts have had a negative impact on the third quarter 2007 earnings for both GE Healthcare and Philips Medical Systems.

For GE Healthcare, for the nine-month period revenues rose to $12 billion, compared with $11.8 billion in the same period of 2006, but operating profit was down for GE Healthcare by 2% to $2.02 billion, from $2.06 billion in the nine-month period of 2006. While the results were in line with expectations, parent company General Electric of Stamford, CT, noted that GE Healthcare’s U.S. imaging business continues to face pressure from effects of the DRA.

For the third quarter of 2007, the Andover-MA-based Philips Medical Systems had sales of $2.25 billion U.S., up 3% on a comparable basis with $2.21 billion U.S. recorded in the third quarter of 2006. The company had third-quarter earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of $255.5 million U.S., down from $269.6 million U.S. a year ago.

Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology Changes Name to "Society for Vascular Medicine"

The Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology (SVMB) has a new name: the "Society for Vascular Medicine" (SVM). The name change was initiated this spring by the Society's Board of Trustees and ratified by voting members at the June 2007 Annual Business Meeting in Baltimore.

"Dropping "Biology" from the title is by no means a retreat from the research mission of the Society," said SVM Immediate Past President John Cooke, M.D. "More to the point, it is to recognize that Vascular Medicine includes all aspects of research, including clinical, translational as well as basic vascular biology. The broad scope of research activities now being performed by our Society members goes beyond 'Biology.'

"The name change also acknowledges the changing composition of our constituency, who are largely endovascular and general vascular practitioners," Dr. Cooke said.

The new name will be used beginning Oct. 1, 2007, and is supported by a new logo, a new Web site (www.vascularmed.org) and the Society's 2008 Annual Meeting and Board Review Course, to take place May 29-June 1, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.

Founded in 1989 and serving the interests of its more than 700 active members in 26 different countries, SVM is distinguished by its emphasis on clinical approaches to vascular disorders. Optimal vascular care is best accomplished by the collegial interaction of a community of vascular professionals, including individuals with expertise in vascular medicine, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, vascular nursing, vascular technology, and other disciplines.

SVM acts as a catalyst for collaboration among disciplines, for information exchange, continuing education, advocacy, and career and professional growth, including full support of the next generation of physicians and scientists.

For information about SVM membership or programs visit www.vascularmed.org.

Susan Murphey Forms Essential Ergonomics Firm

Susan Murphey, formerly on the staff of Sound Ergonomics for many years and a speaker at several recent SVU Annual Conferences, has announced that she has left Sound Ergonomics to start her own practice, an enterprise that will be known as “Essential Ergonomics.” She reported she is proud of her seven-year legacy at Sound Ergonomics, and intend to remain in support of the company.

With her new firm located in Shoreline, WA, Susan said her goal is to continue doing what she has always done in term of ergonomics for the sonography profession, just with a little more intention and focus. She said her new practice will concentrate exclusively on consulting and the promotion of work wellness. The email address of her new practice is www.essentialergonomics.com and Susan can be contacted by email at susan.murphey@comcast.net or by phone at 206-365-5253.

CAAHEP Board Approves Eight Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Applications

At the September 21, 2007 Board of Directors meeting of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Board voted to approve the following “Initial” Diagnostic Medical Sonography education programs for vascular:

• Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
• College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL
• Coosa Valley Technical College, Rome, GA
• Cox Health Systems, Springfield, MO
• Cuyahoga Community College, Parma, OH
• Jackson Community College, Jackson, MI
• Kettering College of Medical Arts, Kettering, OH
• University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Training Centers, LLC, Baltimore, MD

Congratulations to these vascular programs from the SVU Board of Directors.