ARDMS welcomes comments from Registrants and the sonography community about licensure programs for Sonographers.  Please send an e-mail to communications@ARDMS.org and indicate "Licensure" in the subject line.

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 2010 ARDMS Renewal Period to Begin on September 14, 2009

UPDATE: ARDMS will begin accepting 2010 Annual Renewal online payments on September 14, 2009 at Noon ET.

To maintain Active status with ARDMS, Registrants must submit payment for the 2010 annual renewal fee on or before December 31, 2009.  For your convenience, ARDMS accepts secure online payments using Visa or MasterCard by visiting www.ARDMS.org/login.  The online payment option will open on September 14, 2009 at Noon ET.  Check the ARDMS website for renewal updates.          

Cost of Annual Renewal Fee: 

$60 USD* (Active Status)
$90 USD* (RPVI Active Status) 
$10 USD* (Retired Status)              
*All transactions are billed in US Dollars (USD).  

Please note, you will be receiving an official paper invoice by mail in mid-October 2009.  DO NOT send payment to the ARDMS office as this will significantly delay the processing of your payment.

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  Spotlight on a Sonographer: Stella Ho, PhD, PDDR, RDMS, RVT

It is always difficult selecting one sonographer for the Spotlight series out of a pool of many talented, devoted, and passionate ARDMS Registrants.   Stella Ho, PhD, PDDR, RDMS, RVT, has been instrumental in arranging for and administering ARDMS testing in Hong Kong, China.   

Stella entered the profession of radiography in 1983 after graduating from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU) as a diagnostic radiographer. In the early eighties, sonography was a new diagnostic imaging tool in Hong Kong and ultrasound examinations were predominantly performed by radiologists.  As there were no sonographers at that time, radiographers had limited roles in the ultrasound rooms.  Their main responsibilities were to receive and take care of the patients for ultrasound examinations, annotate the sonograms, file the films and discharge the patients.  The talents of radiographers remained untapped. 

In 1984, Stella was privileged to work under an ultrasound expert, Professor Constantine Metreweli, the ex-Chairman of Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) at Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH).   Professor Metreweli actively promoted STAR practice at PWH and trained radiographers to scan and draft reports for ultrasound examinations.  STAR practice involves Scanning of patients, Taking quality sonograms, Abnormality detection, and Drafting reports.  In 1988, under his supervision, Stella and three of her colleagues earned ARDMS credentials in Abdomen and Obstetrics & Gynecology.  This gave birth to the first batch of RDMS Registrants in Hong Kong.  In 1993, she went on to earn her Neurosonology and Vascular Technology credentials.  Apart from the ARDMS credentials, Stella also acquired a MPhil degree and a PhD in 1997 and 2002 respectively.

Stella was promoted to the post of Senior Radiographer in 1997.  Since then, she has been actively involved in research and training and development of radiographers in sonography.  She had been appointed as an Honorary Clinical Associate of HKPU from 2001 to 2007 and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor of CUHK.  In the past ten years, she published approximately 30 ultrasound articles in indexed journals.  Of half, she is the first author.  She also co-authored six ultrasound books.

As an experienced sonographer, Stella was recently appointed as a Consultant Radiographer (Ultrasound) and the chairman of Ultrasonography Panel in Hospital Authority (HA), Hong Kong.  All along, Stella has been committed to promoting STAR practice in sonographers.  Taking advantage of her rapport with CUHK and HA, she coordinated the opening of an ARDMS test center in CUHK in 2005 and assisted in the accreditation of the Institute of Advanced Allied Health Studies as an approved ARDMS CME provider.  These accomplishments greatly facilitate local sonographers to pursue ARDMS credentials and maintain their active status.

To date, more than 100 sonographers/physicians in the region have attained various ARDMS credentials and the ARDMS certification process has become the primary ultrasound requirement for sonographers not only in Hong Kong, but neighboring countries such as South Korea and Pakistan.

Nonetheless, successful implementation of STAR practice is still impeded by a lack of structured ultrasound training programs in Hong Kong.  Stella is looking forward to working closely with HA and collaborating with other ultrasound institutions to develop a structured training program for local sonographers in the near future.

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Dan Merton Receives "Alumni Special Achievement Award"

Daniel A. Merton, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM was recently awarded the "Alumni Special Achievement Award" from Jefferson College of Health Professions for his outstanding contributions to the field of sonography. He has served on more than 15 committees and task forces for the ARDMS, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). He is also a current member of the Board of Directors for the ARDMS and a past member of the Board of Governors of the AIUM.  

He currently holds the position of Technical Coordinator of Ultrasound Research and Clinical Instructor for the Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute in addition to being the Adjunct Associate Professor of Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering Science and Health Systems.  

Dan has spent 22 years performing cutting-edge research including projects involving the Departments of Radiology, Pediatrics and Urology. He has authored and co-authored more than 90 scientific peer-reviewed journal articles, 190 scientific abstracts for presentations, one text book and 15 text book chapters, and has been invited to present at more than 170 lectures across the US. He serves on the Editorial Boards of peer-reviewed journals (Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography; JDMS and the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine; JUM ) and he is a contributing columnist and writer for several professional trade magazines and websites.  

Dan has been a true pioneer in the field of sonography through his determination and dedication. His work and contributions are highly regarded and he continues to champion the field of Sonography today.

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  Bringing Hope and Improving Patient Care

ARDMS takes pride in recognizing sonographers who go above and beyond in their profession.  It is often difficult to spotlight one sonographer's achievement when we have such a large community dedicated to improving patient care worldwide.

The following article was submitted by an ARDMS Registrant, Connie Ambrecht, RDMS. 

As I clocked in at my 7:00 to 3:30 job, my mind drifted to thoughts of vacation.  This vacation was going to be different than any before.  I was going to Haiti on a health care mission trip.  The usual vacation preparation was taking place; planning, packing, booking flights, destination research and daydreaming of what was to come.  This trip brought about different daydreams... What would it be like when we got there?  Who will be learning how to use the equipment?  How many doctors will be there?  What shape will the equipment be in?  What will the patients be like?  How will the food be?  What about the living conditions...will I have a hot shower?  This vacation would be spent on a health care mission trip. A trip to Haiti to use my sonography skills in a way I'd never done before. 

As the trip was coming together, I connected with the team who was going, doctors, nurses and another RDMS certified sonographer.  It almost felt like we were on a reality television show with a project to get together. Our main task: collect supplies to take with us...in an extra suitcase. As it turned out it was amazing to see and experience how easy it was to collect gel, gel bottles, thermal paper, drapes for exams and whatever supplies we could get together through donations.  Offices and hospitals are very willing to donate what they can. 

My trip to Haiti is the most recent health care mission, medical outreach, or humanitarian sonography trip I've participated in.  In April 2005, I participated in my first international sonography trip; destination: Armenia.  Since then I have been to Romania, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Ecuador.

You may feel that international travel may not fit your lifestyle but domestic volunteer opportunities would be just right.  There are many free medical clinics who offer a variety of services.  One may need abdominal scanning and another obstetrical.  One thing is certain; medical professionals are willing to reach out and use their skills to serve others.  At a time when many are finding themselves uninsured, more volunteers are needed.  I hope you are challenged to consider what medical clinic might need you. 

Connie Ambrecht, RDMS is the founder of Hope Imaging.  Hope Imaging is a 501C-3 organization that coordinates RDMS's with health care mission teams who need sonography trainers and practitioners.  Feel free to contact Connie at cambrecht@msn.com or visit www.hopeimaging.org.

If you would like to nominate someone for the Spotlight series or would like to submit an entry for the Registry Reports, e-mail communications@ardms.org with the subject line "Registry Reports Submission."

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Community Announcement: Medical Ultrasound Safety

The ARDMS is pleased to share recent announcements from other organizations in the field of ultrasound and sonography.                                           

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) Medical Ultrasound Safety, second edition consists of three parts: Bioeffects and Biophysics, Prudent Use, and Implementing ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) and includes a CME self-study test at the end of each section.  The aim of this publication is to guide users to better control diagnostic ultrasound equipment and examinations in order to increase patient safety and maximize diagnostic information. The FDA suggests that manufacturers provide a copy of Medical Ultrasound Safety with all ultrasound equipment sold. The enhanced second edition meets the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations for education programs as they relate to the clinical end-user.  

Order online at www.AIUM.org, call 800-638-5352 or contact the AIUM fulfillment coordinator at 301-498-4100.

SPI Examination - Quick Reference

SPI meets the Principles and Instrumentation requirement needed to earn the RDMS, RDCS and RVT credentials.  Below is a quick reference list of online resources relating to the SPI examination.  For the most current SPI examination information, please visit www.ARDMS.org/SPI.  

• SPI Section of the ARDMS website - www.ARDMS.org/SPI
• SPI Webinar - hosted by ARDMS and SDMS
• SPI Practice Examinations
• SPI Content Outlines
• What the SPI Examination Means for You

As the SPI examination meets the Principles and Instrumentation requirement for the ARDMS credentials, the UPI, CPI and VPI examinations are no longer offered by the ARDMS.

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Registry Reports. Copyright 2009.  American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The ideas and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of ARDMS.