ASE, ASNC, HFS, HRS, SCCT, and SCMR have partnered to launch a news source to cross-promote information and news pertinent to the multi-modality imaging and cardiac community. The inaugural issue will be released this week. Check your email for this new valuable member benefit. Future issues will include free offerings such as webinars, CME activities, and the like.

Volunteer applications are now being accepted for four upcoming ASE Foundation global health initiatives and humanitarian events in the Philippines, Kenya, China, and Cuba. Both physicians and sonographers are needed. Visit ASEFoundation.org/volunteer to learn more about each event and its specific focus. If you can fulfill the requirements listed and are interested in applying to volunteer, please complete that event’s volunteer application form.

Due to the popularity and enthusiasm for this type of volunteer experience, there will likely be more volunteer applicants than needed and unfortunately not all applicants will be selected. ASEF will ensure that every application received will be given appropriate consideration for participation.

The ASE Foundation’s global health initiatives and humanitarian events are supported by donor contributions to the Annual Appeal and a grant from the Edwards Lifesciences Every Heartbeat Matters program.

ASE Foundation volunteers truly make a world of difference! Visit ASEFoundation.org/volunteer to learn more.

On May 4, join the ASE Foundation in its first-ever Spring Giving Day. Support the ASE Foundation and help us raise $7,500 in 24 hours. As we aim for our goal, every gift – $25, $50, or any amount that’s right for you – brings that target closer.

The funds you provide help train the future of echocardiography by supporting scholarships and travel grants to young professionals in the field. Each and every gift you give makes a difference in the projects you support and the people you help. Learn more here.

When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2017, the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE) Editor-in-Chief Alan S. Pearlman, MD, FASE is retiring. Dr. Pearlman will have completed 10 years in this position – producing a monthly publication that elicits cutting-edge echocardiography research from every nook and cranny of the planet! The search is underway for the exceptional person who will take on leading JASE’s editorial efforts. Applications are due July 1, 2016. Full details of the submission process can be found at ASEcho.org/Editor. The successful candidate will begin working closely with Dr. Pearlman on July 1, 2017 to ensure a smooth transition. Please direct any questions to Deborah R. Meyer, JASE Managing Editor at dmeyer@asecho.org.

The ASCeXAM/ReASCE Review Course has been specifically designed by ASE as a preparatory course for the National Board of Echocardiography, Inc.™ ASCeXAM® and ReASCE® examinations. The expert faculty will emphasize illustrative cases and will use case studies, lectures, and interactive sessions to cover all aspects of cardiovascular ultrasound that are essential to these exams. To enhance the learning experience, an audience response system and the question and answer sessions will facilitate faculty interaction and self-guided learning. Please plan to join us at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel April 16-19, 2016 for this intensive review course. Learn one-on-one from the experts. Download the Advance Program, register, and learn more at ASEcho.org/ReviewCourse.

After our industry Think Tank and IRT Retreat in NYC this past weekend, we heard a lot of interest from our partners in the Echovation Challenge, and therefore have decided to extend the submission deadline until March 31. This allows those of you who have not yet submitted your proposals a bit more time to do so. We are looking for process and workflow innovations that have either been adopted or are in development in echocardiography laboratories throughout the United States and across the world. Finalists will present at the ASE Scientific Sessions. Even if you have already submitted, you can edit your proposal up until the deadline if you like. We want to make sure everyone has a chance to participate. Go to https://herox.com/Echovation2016 today to enter and be part of the Echovation movement!

The ABIM Foundation, in partnership with ASE, is launching the Choosing Wisely Champions program. The Choosing Wisely Champion program seeks to highlight individual clinicians, or teams of clinicians, who are making significant contributions toward advancing the ideals of Choosing Wisely. The goal of the program is to help expand the Choosing Wisely campaign through dissemination of positive stories of individual clinicians, or teams of clinicians, and to serve as an inspiration to others within their specialty so that they may apply learnings in their own practice.

Nominations can come from peers or a committee, or individuals, and teams may choose to nominate themselves. Nominations should include a brief description of how clinicians (or teams) are implementing Choosing Wisely and give examples of how those contributions are advancing the goals of the campaign

The criteria for individuals or teams are that they have some or all of the following:

• Advanced Choosing Wisely initiatives or lists in their practice
• Played a major role in development of Society recommendations (ASE or others)
• Helped educate Society members about Choosing Wisely and/or recommendations
• Conducted measurement of Choosing Wisely recommendations
• Validated research of importance of Choosing Wisely recommendations
• Demonstrated leadership of a localized Choosing Wisely effort
• Served as a spokesperson for the Society or campaign

To apply, please fill out this survey.