Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers Interventional Spring 2012 President’s Message | Change is Good... Change. One can argue whether change One initiative is to promote the AVIR through a variety of is always good, but depending on the methods. Promotion is key to increasing membership, and circumstances, change is almost always exposing our educational potential. Though our primary tool inevitable. We see change all around us to provide visibility, information and forums to our members in our daily lives, with the economy, will be through the new website, other social media, such as healthcare, and even in our jobs. Change Facebook and LinkedIn, will also be utilized to notify the will come to you, whether you are ready followers of the Interventional community regarding AVIR Tony Walton or not. The AVIR has been through some sponsored events. Visit the AVIR on the social sites, and RT (R) ARRT changes in the last few years, mostly good gather your peers attention to what we have to offer. changes. Achieving our RCEEM A+ status has been a good change (Thanks to Jeff Kins), conducting successful Educational Opportunities provided through either the conferences nationwide, and providing exceptional CE AVIR website, Chapter activities, and those offered at such activities to a variety of Interventional-based programs, just meetings like SIR/AVIR/ARIN, and GEST, enable our to note a few. Other changes have not been so good. After members to obtain CE’s to satisfy the ARRT requirements at changing our membership period from July-June to January a discounted rate or even free. That’s a great deal, considering – December, membership declined, almost to the extent the cost of membership. You may be pursuing additional to which dissolving the association seemed a probability. I, certification, such as the VI (Vascular Interventional) or as the incoming President, am here to tell you that I will the CI (Cardiac Interventional), whether as a job position not let that happen. The Board of Directors, both current requirement or for personal reasons. Providing our members and last years, have been very proactive in invoking change with study resources, review courses and opportunities will within the organization. Immediate Past President Missy only enhance the mission of the AVIR. Post, has been instrumental in initiating the very basis of Starting at the grassroots level, Chapter development is these changes. Committee structure, policy revisions, spon- already underway, initiated through the actions of people sorship, and website changes highlight her tenure. What like Izzy Ramaswamy, the oncoming VP/President-Elect those changes mean is a “streamlining” the organization and (Miami Chapter), Andrew Amorrossa, 2013 Annual processes behind the association, and giving more value to Program Chair (Rennie Mobahir, NYC Chapter), and you, the actual members. So let me tell you what you can Rob Sheridan, AVIR Secretary/Treasurer (Boston Chapter) likely expect, from the 2012-13 BOD. and additional Chapters in the south and Midwest. continued on page 2 Inside Spring 2012 | David S. Douthett, RT(R)(CV), Editor 2 Launch of New Website 12 The CARE Act 20 SIR 2012: What’s New in IR? 3 2013 Award of Excellence 12 Team Training in IR 23 AVIR Finds Sun in San Francisco 3 2013 Fellows Award 14 Chapter Happenings 24 Board of Directors 4 2012 Award for Excellence 15 Chapter Contacts 25 Meeting Schedule 5 Anatomy of a Hybrid OR 16 Words from Our Past President 26 ARRT News Release 8 Associate Representative Corner 17 Obvious Solution to Age Old Problem 27 AVIR Membership Application 9 Increased Efficiency with 19 New Board Adds Spice 28 What is AVIR? Electronic Room Scheduling 12100 Sunset Hills Road | Suite 130 | Reston, VA 20190 | 703.234.4055 | Fax: 703.435.4390 | email: [email protected] | www.avir.org Change is Good... Chapters are the essence of our existence, and even though look forward to New Orleans in 2013, I ask each member quite siloed, they still enhance the educational opportu- to keep the AVIR close to mind when seeking educational nities and exposure of IR throughout the country and opportunities and help promote the association in fulfilling beyond. See the Chapter Update article or check the AVIR it’s mission to you our members and the Intervention Website for more details and upcoming chapter events. Radiology profession as a whole. I am personally excited about the changes that are ongoing With Warm Regards, within the organization. Increased involvement by new members and chapters reflect that our profession is alive Tony Walton, RT (R ) AVIR, President and well, further influenced by a diverse membership base, Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers mixing both young ideas and experienced talent. As we AVIR Launches New Website | www.avir.org Featuring Your Membership — Member Profiles — Chapter Sites hosting and new designs — CE Opportunities (Conferences, readings, quizzes, etc.) offering up-to-date features to — Forums and Social links (Facebook and LinkedIn) enhance the AVIR Mission! — Daily updates and news feeds — Sponsor Links/Resources, and more! 2 | Spring 2012 | Interventional Informer www.avir.org 2013 AVIR Award of Excellence Tony Walton e all work with that one Every year the AVIR receives applications from several very special IR Tech. That worthy candidates, and the competition often comes Wone that always volunteers down to the smallest details. The Award for Excellence to take the extra call, work late, or do committee reviews each application, narrows down the whatever else is necessary to get the field, then contacts the final nominees for a telephone job done. The one that always knows interview. Choosing only one winner is usually a very where all the supplies are, anticipates difficult job because of the high quality of nominees. The the Radiologists’ needs, and keeps the Award is then presented at the annual meeting, which will day running smooth. The one whose confident smile and be held in New Orleans in 2013. easy-going demeanor always seems to ease the fears of patients and their families. Why not nominate him or her for the Award for Excellence? The Award for Excellence is presented annually by the AVIR and a major Industry Sponsor (2012 Award was sponsored by Bracco Imaging) to one outstanding Interventional Radiographer. The prestige of this award lies in the fact that the winner is nominated by his or her peers. The application does not have to be completed by an AVIR member, but by anyone who feels that the nominee goes above and beyond the call of duty and demonstrates a dedication to his or her job and profession. Past Awardees Include: 1996 Joyce Moses 2005 Viki Allenbach 1997 Richard Cless 2006 Jaime Nodolf If you know of someone that you would like to nomi- 1998 Gara Colelli 2007 Patricia Crane nate for next year’s Award for Excellence, just fill out the 1999 David Hall 2008 Rebecca Lassiter application form in this issue or go to www.avir.org and download the application listed under ‘Home” tab. The 2000 Gene Maziarski 2009 Juan Mancera minimum requirements for the nominee include at least 2001 Marie Schodle 2010 Heidi Apfel one year of continuous membership in the AVIR and 2002 Sharon Misler 2011 Stephen Haug must be involved with direct patient care. Deadline for submission is December 15, 2012. 2003 Leona Benson 2012 David Baires 2004 Sandra Dixon If you have any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected] and I would be happy to guide you through the application process. Help us recog- nize our best and brightest Interventional Radiographers. 3 | Spring 2012 | Interventional Informer www.avir.org 2013 AVIR Fellows Award Tony Walton he AVIR, like many other organizations, has an qualifications (education, experience), contributions to established fellowship category for members who the AVIR (national and local chapters), and contributions Thave made significant strides in our field and orga- to the profession (other than AVIR). Once the minimum nization. AVIR fellows include individuals who have amount of points is reached, an application may be dedicated themselves to striving for quality and improve- submitted to the Fellowship Committee for review. ment in interventional radiology as leaders, educators, authors and committee members. The Fellows Award is presented at the annual meeting, with next year’s being held in New Orleans 2013. Do The AVIR Fellowship recognizes Interventional you think you have the qualifications to become an AVIR Radiographers who demonstrate a continuing pursuit of Fellow? If so, go to www.avir.org and download the appli- excellence in the IR profession. The commitment begins cation from the members Education section. If you have at the hospital level, moves on to the local AVIR chapter any questions, email me at [email protected] and national levels. A point system is used to evaluate the and I would be happy to assist you. contributions of the candidate in three areas: Personal 2012 AVIR Award for Excellence Izzy Ramaswamy In San Francisco this year, it was the privilege of the AVIR With this in mind, we would like to board and committee members to honor our winner of begin the selection process for next the 2012 Award for Excellence. David Baires, a dedicated year’s nominees, please visit the new technologist at Cedar Sinai was nominated by his manager AVIR website, print out the nomina- through recommendations of both faculty and staff for his tion form and distribute around your exemplary efforts in supporting everything that the AVIR departments to your staff, their peers, stands for; being a role model, mentor, innovator, and and faculty. If you know anyone that leader in the field of interventional radiography. It is with meets the criteria as an exemplary David Baires these qualities in mind that he was selected to join the elite professional in our field please take the group of previous winners of this very special acknowl- time to submit the nomination on his or her behalf.