Tell Us All Your Story…
Do you have a story to tell?
Did your time with us make a difference in some way?
Do you have some special memory from Class?
As we enter our fifth decade in holding ultrasound training courses in health care, we want you to join us in a more personal way. Millions of people all over the world are living better lives, and living them longer, because of the way you’ve chosen to live yours. We want to share part of that walk with us all. You can remain anonymous or tell us in your note to post your information.
You’ve got plenty to say, so start writing. We’ll make the necessary grammar changes if you like; it’s what you’ve got to say, not how it’s said that matters. We celebrate you and all that you’ve done in service to others.
Thanks for being among the first to leave your continuing legacy on our walls…. Contact Us
Ed Yochum, Florida, 1981 ” I was instrumental in helping the Institute get its start.”
A few knew a lot and were willing to share…
If one sentence could sum up Ultrasound in the infancy days, that would be the one. Looking back we all were blessed to have one another with none of the fierce academic and commercial rivalry that is so prevalent today; just a tight-knit community in the dawn of what we all knew would be exciting. I really do not have a story, just a pocket full of memories, so I will share one…
I met this young man outside of the Emergency Room at Parkland Hospital in Dallas in early 1980. I was told he had an interest along with a vascular surgeon in doing some research work using high-frequency ultrasound in the dog lab. They wanted to investigate the various linings of the carotid artery. So, being a cat and ultrasound lover the meeting was set.
Now the ER at Parkland truly is a sociological field trip and as such very entertaining. It was like being at County, but everyone had on a hat and boots… even the muggers.
Time passed quickly. My meeting sponsor eventually shows up late but brings an infectious grin ear to ear. A lanky kid with the dirtiest lab coat and ugliest glasses I have ever seen. His name: Keith Mauney. The rest as you would say is history.
So, if you are ever wondering where one of the places that the Diasonics \”Duplex\” 7.5mhz small parts probe had its roots look no further than the dog lab at Parkland.
Albert, Al, Don, Ken, Gail, Len, Marveen, Barry, Tom, Eugene, Kirk, Omar, Jason, Sam, Fred, Michael, Herb, Diane, Marsha, George and Keith.
A few knew a lot and were willing to share… now that is the story.
Kurt Olson, RVT, Fort Worth, Texas, Approximately 1998, Carotid Interpretation
Early on in my ultrasound career, I began getting doctors to go to Keith Mauney’s classes. After a few of them telling me how good the classes were, I found three of my doctors who had an interest in going to the Carotid interpretation class. Since I had referred other doctors to him for classes I thought I’d ask him if I could join my doctors and come for free to his next Carotid interpretation class. He didn’t hesitate and said, of course, I could come at no charge.
I found Keith to be both interesting and entertaining to listen to. I had only been doing Carotids for about two years and I learned a lot from Keith about interpreting them. Being there with three of my doctors was good for the fact that I could further explain things to them. Another great thing about Keith is that even well after your class is over with him, he is available to answer questions and even research out answers for you if needed for the field of ultrasound. I’m speaking from experience.
By May of 2013, I will have been in this wonderful field of ultrasound and diagnostics for twenty years. I went (from) entry-level pay to being the highest paid employee in my hospital and on into business for myself with doctors offices. And Keith Mauney and Assoc. had a vital part in my career growth! And it is great to know I can still come to Keith Mauney and Assoc. for a valuable resource when needed.
Steve Chastain MD, RVT, RPVI, Greenville, SC, Fundamentals; Hand-on Peripheral Vascular; Hands-on Carotid (8/2002). Interpretation Noninvasive Vascular; Interpretation Carotid (11/2002). Hands-on and Interpretation Cardiac Imaging (10/2006)
In 2002, after a decade as a general internist, I became passionate about the care of the patient with vascular disease. I wanted to go beyond blood pressure management, lipid-lowering and counseling to manage vascular disorders. My search to gain a deeper understanding of noninvasive vascular testing led me to Keith Mauney.
As passionate as I was about learning, he and his colleagues were more passionate about teaching. As I look back, I have to say that I was initially very unsure if I would succeed in developing a vascular lab in our busy primary care practice, but getting down to the basics with the hands-on courses gave me a deep understanding of ultrasound that was worth all the time and money. I not only developed a quality vascular lab, but the nudge from KMA helped me pursue vascular medicine as a career.
Now, as a vascular internist another decade later, I use the principles I learned with KMA on a daily basis in the diagnosis and management of my patients. My patients appreciate the point-of-care testing, and I get to interact with sonographers clinically in order to make the best decision for them in the increasingly confusing world of healthcare.
Janice, Bakersfield, CA, Hands-On Cardiac Imaging, 2007
I brought a friend with me to Texas to the seminar. We had a good time but enjoyed the hands-on because you have someone there to help us get the right pictures and the way to go to get the pictures.
I have been an echo tech since 1985 and received my registry in 1996. This has been a joy in my life because I get to meet new people even in the hospital. The meeting (with them) lasts for about 30 minutes. As a nurse, I had to care for the patient for maybe 3-5 days in a row. I like it when it is just a few minutes with Echo.
This is a job that has no age limit as of yet that I know of. I am retired and working two part-time jobs. Last year I became a widow and echo has given me a great social life. I thank God for my jobs every day.
Marc Fine, Camano Island, WA, Introduction to Ultrasound, 2009
I’ve known Keith since our days together at Diasonics (30 years ago). Way back. When I was at Interson a few years ago, Keith trained my entire sales and marketing group on basic ultrasound concepts at a workshop in California. The attendees (who were, for the most part, new to ultrasound) gave rave reviews. Said, “best training ever.”
Keith knows everybody, is an invaluable resource, and a good friend.
Joe Sauter, Austin, Texas, Hands-On Cardiac Imaging, Approximately 2000
I am an engineer employed in the design of prosthetic heart valves. My job includes technical and clinical support for company colleagues, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons. I attended Keith Mauney’s course in order to understand the dynamics of the heart and how these dynamics could be observed and diagnosed. I was especially interested in the visualization of prosthetic heart valves in vivo.
I was very pleased with this learning experience. Technical information was clearly presented and progress examinations were relevant and challenging. The biggest bonus of this class was the opportunity to apply real equipment to real patients (our classmates). This class is certified training for echo techs, but I would recommend it for any engineer involved in cardiac devices.
Amanda Morris, Estherville, Iowa, Physics, Hands-On Abdominal & OB Imaging, Breast, Carotid & Peripheral Vascular Imaging, March & May 2011
It was a great experience for me!! At the time I was a Radiology Technologist who didn’t know much about ultrasound and my company was looking to train or hire an ultrasound technologist so I volunteered and KMA was a great way to start and get me on track I did several of the courses that were offered and each of them was great, especially the hands-on portion of the program.
Keith is a great instructor that never loses your attention, especially during class time. A couple of memories I recall was having to call the ambulance to take an OB patient to the hospital because she was only 24 weeks along, and while we were practicing on her we had seen she had some funneling, so to make sure that she had the best care it was decided to call the ambulance because of her finding.
Another small memory I have is the small Post-It notes that Keith would write (for us) with sayings on them such as, “I’m going to the top!!” The class sizes are small and that is nice so you can have more personal attention and plenty of hands-on time!! I enjoyed the program and I can proudly say that I am an ultrasound technologist in Iowa at the same company that sent me to KMA. It definitely was worth it and I would recommend it for others who need to get started.
Gayle J., Paris, Texas, Carotid & Vertebral Duplex Ultrasound Imaging, No date given (submitted May 2013)
“There it is… is it there?
Prove it’s there.”
I use this method with all tests.