In 2011, with support from the ASE Foundation, the Council on Vascular Ultrasound introduced travel grants as a way to encourage those interested in vascular ultrasound to continue their development in the field, participate in ASE, and identify/mentor new members to the council. Each year the council awards two $1,000 travel grants to assist fellows with funds to attend the annual Scientific Sessions. Information and deadlines for applying for the travel grants will be posted later this fall on the ASE Website and will be announced in the vascular ultrasound community of connect@asecho.org .
This year, travel grants were awarded to Hemantha Koduri, MD, and Yogendra Kanthi, MD. At the time of their awards, Dr. Koduri was a vascular medicine fellow at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, and Dr. Kanthi was a cardiology fellow at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. This “blue page” is a transcript of an interview with them to encourage our trainee colleagues to attend future ASE Scientific Sessions and make them aware of opportunities within the Vascular Council.
Why did you want to attend the 2014 Scientific Sessions?
Dr. Koduri: As a current vascular medicine specialist and future cardiologist, I am interested in learning about the current and newest technologies in the cardiovascular imaging. The Scientific Sessions also gave me a great opportunity to network with outstanding imaging specialists.
Dr. Kanthi: The 2014 Scientific Sessions represent a milestone in the history of the ASE, with additional sessions and opportunities for the 25 th anniversary. The intersection between cardiology and vascular medicine has never been more relevant. Attending the sessions with an interest in vascular ultrasound created opportunities to meet with established clinicians and investigators, potential collaborators, and mentors.
What was the most useful aspect of being able to attend the 2014 Scientific Sessions?
Dr. Koduri: The most useful aspect was to learn to integrate both vascular ultrasound and echocardiography modalities for better patient care.
Dr. Kanthi: The vascular sessions were most meaningful, with a focus on the use of vascular ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for both common and unusual diseases encountered in a cardiologist’s practice. Exposure to ongoing clinical research using vascular ultrasound provided useful insight on novel and exciting approaches for the use of these tools in vascular medicine.
How do you hope to incorporate your vascular ultrasound training into your profession as a cardiologist?
Dr. Koduri: I plan to practice both vascular medicine and cardiology in the future. Vascular ultrasound training, together with echocardiography, will help me provide outstanding preventive cardiac care and perioperative care.
Dr. Kanthi: Vascular ultrasound has already become a critical component of my practice as a cardiovascular medicine specialist. As a tool, vascular ultrasound provides rapid, safe, non-invasive and cost-effective data to inform management decisions with patients. The Scientific Sessions offered clinical, technical and investigative insight that I plan to incorporate into my practice.
What would you tell other trainees about the vascular council and opportunities within ASE?
Dr. Koduri: I am encouraging my colleagues in cardiology training to learn vascular imaging, as it will help them to be complete specialists in the cardiovascular area. I encourage them to submit vascular cases for the ASE Scientific Sessions.
Dr. Kanthi: Engagement with the Vascular Council is essential for trainees in vascular medicine if we are to remain up to date with skills, tools, research and clinical practice in changing times. Involvement in the council provides opportunities to develop meaningful and long-term relationships with experts in the field. With passionate leadership and an expanding membership in the council, the opportunities to conduct cutting edge research and patient care continue to grow. By engaging with the council, trainees are poised to develop successful careers in a growing field at the intersection of cardiology and vascular medicine.
