Tag Archives: AIUM membership

Member Spotlight: A Celebration of AIUM Membership With Pamela M. Foy, MS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM

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For Pamela M. Foy, MS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM, the AIUM has been a constant companion throughout nearly her entire career in diagnostic ultrasound. From accessing cutting-edge research through the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine to presenting at Annual Conventions, participating in scan labs, and supporting AIUM accreditation initiatives, her membership has provided opportunities for professional growth, education, and connection. Over the course of almost 40 years as an AIUM member, Pamela has seen the organization play a pivotal role in advancing ultrasound practice while helping professionals stay at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field.

For nearly five decades, Pamela has witnessed the remarkable evolution of diagnostic ultrasound firsthand. From beginning her sonography career in the late 1970s to becoming a respected educator and leader in maternal-fetal imaging, Pamela’s commitment to advancing ultrasound has been closely intertwined with her longstanding involvement in the AIUM.

For nearly five decades, Pamela has witnessed the remarkable evolution of diagnostic ultrasound firsthand. From beginning her sonography career in the late 1970s to becoming a respected educator and leader in maternal-fetal imaging, Pamela’s commitment to advancing ultrasound has been closely intertwined with her longstanding involvement in the AIUM.

In this Member Spotlight, Pamela reflects on the value of AIUM membership, the importance of professional education, and the relationships that have enriched her career.

Why did you choose to join the AIUM?

I attended a one-year certificate sonography program at Thomas Jefferson University beginning June of 1978. After completing the sonography program, I was hired by the Division of Ultrasound at Thomas Jefferson University, splitting my time equally between clinical work and research. At this time, diagnostic ultrasound was in its infancy and was growing tremendously with transducer development, analog ultrasound system designs, and new types of ultrasound examinations that could be used to evaluate the human body.  The radiologists would share articles so that the sonography team could become proficient at performing ultrasound examinations, but also stay aware of industry changes that were occurring regularly. When I relocated to central Ohio in 1986, I joined the AIUM to ensure I could maintain access to these vital articles within the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.

What is your favorite AIUM benefit?

My favorite benefit of the AIUM is attending the AIUM Annual Convention at a reduced rate. This event brings together physicians, scientists, sonographers, students, other medical professionals, and vendors, creating a wonderful environment to learn and grow. I always enjoy networking with my peers. It is both inspiring and a morale boost to catch up with longtime friends and meet new colleagues. Additionally, ultrasound companies showcase their latest innovations in the exhibit hall, often releasing new technology. Having been a sonographer for 47 years, I know many of the representatives who work the exhibits, and it is always fun to reconnect with them.

What does the AIUM mean to you?

The AIUM has always been an integral part of my professional career. The first AIUM Annual Conference that I attended was in New Orleans in 1980, the 25th anniversary of the organization. This meeting was a joint venture for the AIUM and the SDMS. I remember the exhibit hall showcasing major technological breakthroughs in ultrasound systems. As a young sonographer, I was in awe attending a major ultrasound event and knew that I would continue to attend national ultrasound meetings. Since then, I have attended many AIUM annual conferences and have given presentations, as well as have been involved with scan labs. Education is a passion of mine, and contributing to the obstetrical scan labs allows me to connect with individuals striving to become proficient in obstetric ultrasound examinations.

Has being a member of the AIUM helped you in your career? If so, how?

Membership with the AIUM has numerous benefits that have helped me throughout my career. I particularly value the practice parameters and training guidelines for the specialty areas that are important to me, obstetrics and fetal echocardiography. The practice parameters and training guidelines are frequently updated to help professionals stay current, and they are available to non-members as well. The practice parameters also include an image library, which serves as a helpful reference. If you are uncertain what an image should look like, you can review a specific image within the online library for each specific examination.

During my time at The Ohio State University, the Women’s Imaging Lab has been continuously accredited by the AIUM since 1999. While accreditation is voluntary, it has always been important to our MFM physicians and sonographers. It demonstrates that our imaging lab meets strict safety and quality standards, has up-to-date procedures and guidelines, and regular preventative maintenance on all ultrasound systems. All pregnant women should have an ultrasound examination performed by sonographers and read by qualified MFM physicians. Additionally, the AIUM staff are wonderful, knowledgeable, and are there every day to assist you when you have questions, and most likely you will have questions. They are just a phone call away!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

If you are a member of the AIUM, but you have never experienced the Annual Ultrasound Convention, I highly recommend you consider attending. It is a great opportunity to earn medical CME credits, learn about emerging artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, explore cutting-edge research, participate in a scanning lab, and visit the exhibit hall, to name a few of my favorites. Most importantly to me, it is a wonderful way to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for diagnostic ultrasound—a profession that has grown leaps and bounds over the past 50 years!

Pamela M. Foy, MS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM, is a Department of OB/GYN Clinical Associate Professor (retired) from the Ohio State University.

Member Spotlight: A Celebration of AIUM Membership With Carol B. Benson, MD, FAIUM

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For many AIUM members, the organization serves as both a professional anchor and a source of inspiration. Carol B. Benson, MD, FAIUM, is one such member whose career reflects a deep dedication to ultrasound and to the collaborative learning environment the AIUM fosters. Her long-standing engagement highlights why the AIUM values its members, and how members, in turn, help advance the field of medical ultrasound.

After completing her training in diagnostic radiology, including a fellowship in CT and ultrasound, Dr. Benson chose to focus her academic career on ultrasound in clinical practice, research, and education. The AIUM quickly became a natural professional home, offering opportunities to share ideas, advance research, and learn alongside others equally committed to the specialty.

Carol B. Benson, MD, FAIUM

Below, Dr. Benson shares her reflections on her AIUM membership and its impact on her career.

Why did you choose to join the AIUM?
After finishing training in diagnostic radiology with a fellowship in CT and ultrasound, I decided to focus my academic career on ultrasound in clinical practice, research, and education. The AIUM provided the best opportunities for me to present my research ideas for the advancement of the practice of ultrasound in medicine and to learn from others with a similar passion for ultrasound.

From early in her career, the AIUM supported Dr. Benson’s goals by offering a platform for scholarship, discussion, and shared innovation.

What is your favorite AIUM benefit?
I have more than one “favorite” benefit of being part of the AIUM. I continue to learn about new and exciting advances in ultrasound through AIUM.

At annual meetings, I very much enjoy networking with other medical professionals who share my enthusiasm for ultrasound.

I appreciate all the work the AIUM has done to work collaboratively with other societies to publish standards and guidelines for performance and interpretation of ultrasound. I believe these publications have improved the practice of ultrasound across the country.

Dr. Benson’s response reflects the breadth of value the AIUM offers, from lifelong learning and professional connection to national leadership in standards and guidelines.

What does the AIUM mean to you?
AIUM has been among my favorite societies for years because it focuses entirely on my interest in the advancement of ultrasound in medical practice.

This clear focus on ultrasound excellence is what continues to draw dedicated clinicians, educators, and researchers to the AIUM.

Has being a member of the AIUM helped you in your career? If so, how?
Through my participation and contributions to the AIUM, I have been able to network with and learn from others who share my love of ultrasound, which has helped me expand my research, teaching, and clinical practice. Overall, the AIUM has helped improve my clinical practice to provide better care to my patients undergoing ultrasound examination.

Dr. Benson’s experience underscores the lasting impact of AIUM membership: stronger professional connections, deeper expertise, and better patient care.

The AIUM is grateful to Dr. Carol B. Benson for her dedication to advancing ultrasound through clinical excellence, research, and education. Her story is a testament to the value of an engaged membership and to the shared passion that continues to move the field of ultrasound forward.

Carol B. Benson, MD, FAIUM, is a Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School and is affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.

Member Spotlight: A Celebration of AIUM Membership With Peter Doubilet, MD, PhD

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For decades, AIUM members have driven innovation, education, and collaboration in medical ultrasound. Peter M. Doubilet, MD, PhD, FAIUM, is an example of how sustained engagement with the AIUM can shape both an individual career and the field as a whole. His long history with the AIUM reflects why the organization values its members—and why its members, in turn, value the AIUM.

Dr. Doubilet joined the AIUM in 1985, at a formative point in his career and in the organization’s history. From the beginning, the AIUM offered him more than membership; it provided a professional home grounded in academic rigor, shared purpose, and multidisciplinary exchange.

Below, Dr. Doubilet shares his perspective on what the AIUM has meant to him over the years.

Peter M. Doubilet, MD, PhD

Why did you choose to join the AIUM?
When I joined AIUM in 1985, it was primarily composed of radiologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, and ultrasound physicists. At that time, most academic radiologists with a subspecialty focus in ultrasound were active AIUM members. As an aspiring academic radiologist, joining AIUM was a natural and important step for me, providing opportunities to connect with leaders in the field and to become part of the broader academic ultrasound community.

Dr. Doubilet’s experience reflects a common thread among long-standing members: the AIUM has long served as a gathering place for leaders, mentors, and emerging voices in ultrasound.

What is your favorite AIUM benefit?
While I am a member of the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound and other Radiology organizations, AIUM is unique in bringing together ultrasound practitioners from a wide range of medical specialties. As the organization has grown and diversified, I have especially valued the opportunity to interact with and learn from OB/Gyn’s, emergency medicine physicians, sonographers, and colleagues from other disciplines. This multidisciplinary environment is one of AIUM’s greatest strengths.

This emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration is central to the AIUM’s mission, and a key reason members continue to find value as the field evolves.

What does the AIUM mean to you?
AIUM is the only organization that truly welcomes everyone involved in the practice, teaching, research, and technological advancement of ultrasound. Its diverse membership spans multiple specialties, educational backgrounds, and professional roles. Through its annual convention, journal, educational courses, and practice parameters, AIUM fosters collaboration, shared learning, and high standards that enhance the quality of ultrasound practice and improve patient care.

Dr. Doubilet’s words underscore how the AIUM serves as both a standard-bearer and a connector across the ultrasound community.

Has being in the AIUM helped you in your career? If so, how?
AIUM has had a very positive impact on my career. Opportunities to lecture at its annual conventions and courses, as well as to publish in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, have strengthened my professional credentials. These experiences have had a multiplicative effect, leading to additional invitations to lecture at a variety of meetings and courses, collaborate on research, and participate in guideline development. Being named an AIUM Fellow in 1988 and receiving the Joseph H. Holmes Clinical Pioneer Award in 2020 have further enhanced my professional standing within the field.

The AIUM’s commitment to education, scholarship, and recognition helps members amplify their expertise and extend their influence well beyond the organization.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
In addition to the many benefits I have received from AIUM membership, I have greatly valued the opportunity to give back to the organization. I have served on the Board of Governors (1995–1998 and 2013–2016), the Editorial Board of the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, and multiple AIUM committees, including the Education Committee, which I chaired from 1991–1993. I have also contributed by directing or co-directing AIUM courses, moderating film panels at the Annual Convention, and developing educational videotapes. These roles have allowed me to support AIUM’s mission and contribute to the continued advancement of ultrasound education and practice.

Dr. Doubilet’s career illustrates the reciprocal nature of AIUM membership: members gain knowledge, community, and opportunity, and in turn, help advance the field for future generations.

The AIUM is grateful for Dr. Peter M. Doubilet’s decades of leadership, service, and dedication. His story is a reminder that the strength of the AIUM lies in its members and their shared commitment to excellence in ultrasound.

Peter M. Doubilet, MD, PhD, is a Radiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and is a Professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.

January 2025 Member Spotlight: A Celebration of AIUM Membership

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In this interview, we celebrate the remarkable journey of a longstanding member of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), Abdelaziz Saleh, MD, PhD. With over three decades of dedication, this esteemed member reflects on the invaluable role the AIUM has played in shaping his career and advancing the field of ultrasound in medicine. From his early decision to join during his Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship to the impact of the AIUM’s resources, courses, and community, his story is one of passion and lifelong learning.

Through this dialogue, we gain insights into the profound influence of the AIUM’s educational offerings, from its esteemed journal to its cutting-edge postgraduate courses. We’ll also explore the broader meaning of AIUM membership, its impact across medical disciplines, and the lasting relationships built within its vibrant community.

In this, we honor Dr. Saleh, recognizing his member journey, celebrating his enthusiasm for ultrasound, and highlighting the excellence the AIUM inspires in professionals across the globe.

Why did you choose to join the AIUM?

I chose to join the AIUM in 1990 while doing an MFM fellowship. At that time, ultrasound became a big part of the MFM practice. In addition, the concept of Fetal medicine has evolved along with the Fetus as a patient. The AIUM offered a lot to learn. It offered the Journal [the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM)], annual meeting, and valuable courses. The AIUM always invited top national and international speakers. In fact, I met great physicians and researchers over the years such as Drs. L. Platt, Abuhamad, Romero, and Mari. These courses and the journal’s CME programs helped me get valuable ultrasound-related CMEs.

What is your favorite AIUM benefit?

My favorite benefit is the Journal and the post-graduate courses. The articles are very well written by clinicians who practice ultrasound. The way the articles are structured, they are very useful offering a question, background information, research results, differential diagnosis, and clinical utility of the studies. The post-graduate courses offered valuable learning opportunities to hear the most recent information by innovative scientists. In fact, many courses made me pay attention to new and future developments in my field (MFM and obstetrics).

What does the AIUM mean to you?

The AIUM means excellence in practicing ultrasound in many fields. My field is MFM, however, I like looking at ultrasound utility in other fields such as rheumatology, cardiology, and GI. Even areas such as dermatology have articles of great interest.

Has being a member of the AIUM helped you in your career? If so, how?

Of course, the membership did further my career. Learning at the annual meetings, post graduate courses, fine articles in the Journal, and CME opportunities. The scientific approach of the published articles helped me to put together good ultrasound and consultation reports. In addition, I made great educational presentations to the sonographers and the residents.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I have enjoyed being a member of the AIUM for more than 30 years. I appreciate the dedication and hard work of the great team at the AIUM. I am a member of various professional societies, and AIUM membership is the most useful and the most important in the filed of ultrasound in medicine. I am a fan!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Abdelaziz Saleh, MD, PhD, is a maternal and fetal medicine obstetrician-gynecologist at Akron General Hospital in Ohio.