Are you aware of the depth and breadth of engagement activities at the AIUM? Most likely, our flagship enterprises, such as the JUM and the convention, as well as the 18 (and growing!) communities immediately come to mind. And for almost 20 years, AIUM CEO Carmine M. Valente, PhD, CAE, has been at the heart of it all. As we close out 2016, we say goodbye to a leader, a catalyst, and a friend. While Carmine has set his focus on new adventures in retirement, it’s interesting to note how much the AIUM has grown during his tenure.

Back in 1997, the AIUM had 8 communities, known in those days as sections. There were 2 types of practice accreditation – OB/GYN and abdominal/general. There are now 12. The EER, in its infancy, had $47,000 in its coffers. Over time, 8 practice guidelines have grown to 31 practice parameters; training guidelines have expanded from 1 to 12; and the number of societies that have worked with us to develop these tools has expanded exponentially.

This growth is a result of a theme Carmine has instilled throughout his tenure—collaboration. Carmine is often heard declaring “It makes no sense for the AIUM to develop [fill in the blank] without looking outward. The more stakeholders at the table, the stronger the result.” The imaging community recognized this as early as 2007, when RT Image recognized Carmine as one of radiology’s 25 most influential movers and shakers. “Dr. Valente has been a key element in facilitating and coordinating these and other important activities that continue to grow both the AIUM and interest in the ultrasound arena.”

Over time, Carmine has partnered with 10 of AIUM’s 31 presidents, enabling them to achieve their goals and further the AIUM mission. In the last 12 years, the AIUM has hosted 9 forums on a variety of topics with dozens of participant organizations at each; and all within the framework of collaboration: Compact Ultrasound (2004); Training/Exam Guidelines and Scope of Practice (2006/2008); Patient Safety and Quality: The Role of Ultrasound (2007); Point-of-Care Use of Ultrasound (2010); Ultrasound First & Beyond Ultrasound First: Quality Imaging (2012 & 2016); and Ultrasound in Medical Education (2014 & 2015).

In October 2016, the AIUM’s Board of Governors established the Carmine M. Valente, PhD, CAE Distinguished Service Award to memorialize and recognize significant contributions to the AIUM and the ultrasound community as a whole by furthering the multidisciplinary nature and collaborative efforts of the organization. Its first presentation will occur at the 2017 AIUM Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.

For those who visit the AIUM Headquarters, you will see that the AIUM’s primary conference area has been dedicated as an enduring reminder of Carmine’s Spirit of Collaboration. This space will serve as a center for informing, educating, inspiring, and entertaining, and instill a growing sense of belief and pride in our ability to advance the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine.

Today, it is endemic of the AIUM’s culture to ask “Who else should be at the table?” whenever a project is discussed. And for that, we thank you, Carmine.

The spirit of collaboration is, in Carmine’s immortalized words, “to be continued…”

Do you have a memory, thought, or story to share about Carmine? Comment below and on Twitter: @AIUM_Ultrasound.

Glynis V. Harvey, CAE, is the AIUM’s Chief Executive Officer Designate & Deputy Chief Executive Officer.