Dennis F. Bandyk, MD, RVT Receives SVU's Pioneer Award
from
the October 2003 issue
Dennis
F. Bandyk, MD, RVT, ICAVL Treasurer and member of the Board
Of Directors, was the recipient of the Society for Vascular
Ultrasound (SVU) Pioneer Award on July 17, 2003 during the Society's
Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the recipient
of the award, Dr. Bandyk presented The David Phillips Memorial
Lecture, entitled "Being A Professional Of Vascular Ultrasound."
Dr.
Bandyk began by reflecting on the evolution of the vascular
laboratory over the past 30 years, including a discussion of
how the clinical introduction duplex scanning in the 1980s was
cause for a dramatic increase in the number of clinical vascular
laboratories.
He
emphasized the importance of certification in vascular ultrasound
for technologists and also encouraged physicians to demonstrate
their education and experience in the field by taking the credentialing
examination. Related to credentialing, Dr. Bandyk brought forward
several aspects that he believes must be addressed. One such
issue includes whether physicians and technologists should undergo
repeat testing by way of recertification examinations, such
as those required for board certification in surgery. Related
to the pass rates associated with the registry examinations,
Dr. Bandyk stressed, "This is a problem that this Society
[SVU] should address -- we need better examination preparation
review courses and better mentors, or my encouragement to become
certified will fall on deaf ears. A majority of examinees should
not have to take a basic competency test multiple times to achieve
a passing score."
Dr.
Bandyk related the issue of laboratory accreditation to being
a professional in vascular ultrasound, commenting, "Working
in an accredited laboratory is the right thing to do, and we
need to remain focused on a goal that all comprehensive vascular
ultrasound testing be performed in an accredited laboratory."
Looking
into the future, Dr. Bandyk concluded his lecture by discussing
his support for the development of a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Vascular Technology. He remarked on the importance of such
programs by stating, "The development of education programs
such as this will ensure a steady stream of highly trained vascular
ultrasound professionals into our health care system."
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