Dear fellow sonographers,

I am proud to say that I have worked as a sonographer since 1983 and have been on an incredible journey for 34 years. I started out at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, as a radiologic technologist and had the privilege to work on the job as a sonographer. I have evolved, grown, and through my profession, I have continued to educate myself. When I passed the ARDMS certification in 1984, I decided that I would continue to set goals for myself and keep my career in ultrasound exciting and challenging.

Over the next 33 years, I worked in a Radiology office, in private practice, and in maternal-fetal medicine. Now, I am honored to be part of the American Institute of Ultrasound (AIUM). So, why am I saying all this? Because I now want to encourage all of you to use my experiences to take your profession to the next level.

My personal goal is to educate sonographers. To encourage sonographers to love their jobs and be the best. Times have changed, especially in the ultrasound world. Doing an OB exam and showing only a 4-chamber heart is no longer enough. Now, we are expected to do outflow tracts, aorta, ductus, and sometimes the infamous 3-vessel trachea view.

If you are asking what is the 3-vessel trachea view? Well, let me just tell you about this amazing cardiac image. If you can acquire and document a normal 3-vessel trachea you can rule out Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and Right-sided Aortic Arch. You can also be the hero of the office when you go to your doctor at your practice and say “Hey, the 3-vessel trachea view looks abnormal, what do you think?” Not only will you impress them and possibly save a life, but you will earn respect and, hopefully, you are reminded as to why you wanted to be a sonographer in the first place.

I have always loved my job and continue to learn every day. There is a whole world of ultrasound information out there. I challenge you to go beyond what you know to get the job done, be the best, and always treat your patient as your best friend, whoever that might be. My challenge for you is to read about the 3-vessel trachea view and, if it is not a part of your daily OB routine, add it.

Please join me and expand your education!

Haylea Weiss, RDMS (AB FE OB/GYN)
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine