Michelle Bierig, MPH, RDCS, FASE

In June, ASE is sponsoring its annual registry review program to aid sonographers in obtaining their credentials. Last year’s program was a success, with participants’ comments including “overall…a wonderful experience/review” and “thanks for your knowledge and support”.

This program will complement ASE’s current commitment to sonographer education by providing material not only to those obtaining continuing education, but also to those entering the field or seeking to obtain a credential. The registry review is a 2-day course covering content related to both physics and adult echocardiography exams provided by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). A 2 hour lecture to review physics will be included, with the primary focus on adult echocardiography content, including the evaluation of left ventricular structure and function, valvular heart disease, cardiac pathology, and a review of congenital heart disease.

For those who are concerned about taking tests, the program has been designed with the examinee in mind. To help ease those concerns, each topic will have integrated test questions with explanations of why each answer option is correct or incorrect. Additionally, each participant will be provided with a syllabus to enable him or her to review content and sample test questions closer to the date of the test.

The faculty is composed of leaders in the field from a variety of centers throughout the United States. With over 80 combined years of registry experience, these sonographers will provide an energetic, interactive, and educational event. Although the course is designed for sonographers interested in taking either the ARDMS or CCI Registry Examinations, physicians and sonographers who are interested in a broad review of cardiovascular ultrasound are welcome as well. If you know of someone not currently registered who is planning to take the exam, this provides an ideal opportunity for a comprehensive review in an interactive educational setting.

The Society aims to be the source for sonographers and echocardiographers to obtain ongoing education within the field of echocardiography; this registry review program adds another component to make the educational portfolio more comprehensive.

The program includes:

Intro to Echo: The Patient, The Views & the Procedures: Maryellen H. Orsinelli, RN, RDCS, Ohio State University

Physics Made Less Scary for Sonographers: Dennis G. Atherton, RDCS, RCT, RRT, FASE, Maine Medical Center

The Left Side: Systole, Stress and Diastolic Function: Michelle Bierig, MPH, RDCS, FASE, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

Cardiomyopathies and Pericardial Disease: Mark S. Adams, BS, RDCS, FASE, Massachusetts General Hospital

Mitral Valve Disease: What to Look for When It Doesn’t Open, Close or Work Right: Michelle Bierig, MPH, RDCS, FASE, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

Prosthetic Valve Disease: Jane E. Marshall, BS, RDCS, FASE, Massachusetts General Hospital

Aortic Valve Disease: What to Look for When It Doesn’t Open, Close or Work Right: Matt M. Umland, RDCS, FASE Mayo Clinic

Aortic Disease: Jane E. Marshall, BS, RDCS, FASE, Massachusetts General Hospital

Cardiac Masses: Mark S. Adams, BS, RDCS, FASE, Massachusetts General Hospital

Right Side: Not Forgotten: Rick Meece, RDCS, RCS, FASE St. Thomas Heart

Congenital Heart Disease: When the Plumbing is Installed Incorrectly: Carol C. Mitchell, PhD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, University of Wisconsin

We look forward to seeing you there!

The American Society of Echocardiography is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.