Sanjiv Kaul, MD, FASE

All our surveys indicate that ASE is very valuable to our members. In order to continue to support their needs, ASE must secure its financial future. This is particularly relevant given the current economic conditions, as well as the uncertainties associated with healthcare reform. Last June, at the San Diego Board of Directors meeting, the leadership voted to intensify fundraising for the ASE Foundation. They agreed that, in these challenging economic times, it would be prudent for the Society to focus on becoming more self-sufficient and able to support echo research and other projects essential to the future of our profession.

The Board of Directors approved the association’s targets for the Foundation in its 2010-2011 Strategic Plan: “Expand the scope of the ASE Foundation to finance and foster research initiatives.” My president’s column in August 2010 detailed this request. In the fall of 2010, the staff and ASEF Task Force leadership, lead by Dr. Tom Ryan, culled through seven bids from a variety of established fundraising firms to select Association Development Solutions (ADS), a consulting firm solely dedicated to meeting the unique fundraising needs of the association community.

The Executive Committee, with the knowledge of the Board of Directors, then launched a planning and feasibility study for ASEF. The goal of the study was to better align ASEF’s vision with the perceived needs of those interested and invested in the field of cardiovascular ultrasound by gaining a more complete understanding of their needs, expectations, and perspective on our organizational priorities. The focus of this study design was to conduct interviews with perceived stakeholders in the echocardiography community: Industry Roundtable members (to get the perspective of industry leaders), ASE board members, committee and council leaders, and past presidents. Online information was also collected from a broad representation of the general membership, including physicians and sonographers. Thank you to those who participated!

The study tested ASEF’s ability to increase funding for research, education and global standardization of echocardiography. The resulting report, based on this input, was presented at the March ASE Leadership Retreat. The analysis lauded the powerful presence that ASE has in its inclusion of both physicians and sonographers in a single society, its influence in the field, and its commitment to excellence in cardiovascular ultrasound and its application to patient care. ASE is well recognized and understood by members as a driving force behind continuing research and educational programs in the field. The role and purpose of ASEF, however, were felt to be less clear, and many members were uncertain about how the two entities should be working together.

As the ASE Board of Directors discussed the findings, it became clear that the defining and solidifying the mission of ASEF was key to moving forward. The board voted unanimously to embark on a building phase for ASEF and will be appointing a special taskforce to work on this starting this spring. The taskforce will work to create the broad-based support necessary to make ASEF a real player on the world stage. We plan to couple ASEF’s current funding initiatives, which are focused on research and education, with strategies that expand the global footprint of ASE and promote quality in patient care worldwide.

We expect our members to participate in these efforts and to provide feedback. We want to create a self-sustaining foundation that is prepared for the future and has the flexibility to endure adverse external circumstances. We need to invest in our foundation so that we can carry on with our worthy causes and remain highly relevant to our members for a long time to come.

ASD has been retained for a long-term contract to assist the society with this important project. The task force, under Dr. Ryan’s guidance, will move forward to encourage stakeholders to invest in the society and the future of the field. The June annual meeting will be a launching point for future activity. Be there to be part of the action!