The ASE Foundation is proud to offer three research grants in 2021. Applications for the inaugural Pamela S. Douglas, MD, FASE Research Scholar Award are currently being accepted. This award will support the future of echocardiographic research by granting a one-year (12 months) $75,000 USD scholarship to support clinical or translational research scholars in advanced cardiovascular ultrasound research. Applications are due February 1, 2021 by 5 PM Eastern Time. Full application details can be found here.

The Foundation is also proud to offer two grants of up to $45,000 USD each for meritorious echocardiographic research proposals relevant to innovation in cardiovascular ultrasound. Of particular interest are proposals that expand the key role of echocardiography, or the development of novel technology, in clinical diagnosis or management. Application for 2021 funding opens February 1, 2021.Stay tuned for more information in early 2021!

ASE Headquarters will be closed Wednesday, December 23 – Friday December 25. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, December 28.

The latest issue of CASE, ASE’s online case reports journal, is available, and includes “Complicated Double-Orifice Mitral Regurgitation: Combined Hemodynamic Assessment Using Echocardiography and Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging,” by Jeesoo Lee, PhD, Nadia El Hangouche, MD, Aakash N. Gupta, BS, Michael Markl, PhD, Susan Kim, MD, Jane Wilcox, MD, MSc, and James D. Thomas, MD, FASE. “This case may help add guidance to the real-world dilemma we all encounter when cases just don’t simply follow the guidelines. Staying on top of the latest literature is essential,” suggests co-Editor-in-Chief Karen Zimmerman. Dr. Thomas states, “Myxomatous mitral valve disease can produce complex regurgitant jets that are challenging to quantify.  We present a puzzling case with mitral annular disjunction, moderate late systolic MR arising medially and laterally along the closure line in the 2-chamber view, history of syncope, VT on the treadmill, and sudden cardiac death in both parents. We combined proximal convergence analysis with 4D flow MRI to provide better guidance on severity and management showing the value of multimodality imaging. And, yes, there’s a Pickelhaube sign!”

“Symptomatic Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Caused by Mitral Annular Calcification,” from Pristera et al. rounds out this section on the not-so-simple mitral valve. Additionally, we have case reports on LVOTO caused by MAC, a phantom systole, COVID-19 and RV dysfunction, using bubbles to trace flow to find a diagnosis, apical thrombus formation with CRT, questionable endocarditis, aortic valve disease in both the young and the old, complicated congenital heart disease cases, an air gun projectile in a dog, and interventions for pulmonary artery and valve stenosis with anomalous connections in canines.

Test your echo acumen with the new What is this Image? quiz. Congratulations to Bonita Anderson, MAppSc(MedUlt), DMU(Cardiac), ACS, FASE, FASA, Matthew Lambert, CCP, PGDip MTEX, GradDipCardiacUlt, Natalie Edwards, BExSci, MCardiacUlt, ACS, FASE, FASA, and Gregory Scalia, MBBS(Hons), MMedSc, FRACP, FACC, FCSANZ, FASE, from The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia for supplying the quiz text and image. Don’t forget to check out the CASE articles in press.

CASE is a valuable tool for all clinicians, educators, mentors, and sonographers. CASE co-Editors-in-Chief, Karen G. Zimmerman, BS, ACS, RDCS, RVT, FASE, and L. Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, FASE, FACC, are continually grateful to the all the authors and reviewers who have dedicated their time and effort to CASE’s mission of publishing high-quality educational experiences where cardiovascular imaging has been used to solve clinical dilemmas. We will enter 2021 with exciting new cases, continual optimism, and open arms to receive your opinions and questions. Email managing editor, Deborah Meyer, at DMeyer@ASEcho.org.

ASE is excited to announce that the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has renewed its application for the free activity, “Pediatric Appropriate Use Criteria for Transthoracic Echocardiography: Performance Improvement Module” through April 30, 2022.

Physicians who participate in this project, and meet ABP completion requirements, will receive credit for the Performance in Practice (Part 4) component of Maintenance of Certification (MOC).

The ABP has announced their support for ASE’s important work, and we are pleased to continue collaborating with ABP to help physicians meet requirements for MOC by improving care for children.

The ASE Foundation accepts donations in a variety of ways. You do not have to give cash – you can gift appreciated stock. Gifts of appreciated securities (long-term) can mean tax savings, while at the same time maximizing your charitable deduction. Speak with your tax professional to see if this type of donation is suitable for you.

Another not-so-obvious donation method is to donate honorarium from ASE or non-ASE projects. If you’re interested in doing so just let us know. We can provide any information needed to assist with the transfer of funds. Learn about additional ways to give here .

Remember the deadline! The last day to contribute to the ASE Foundation’s 2020 annual appeal is December 31. As of December 12, we have raised $213,404 – that’s 85% of our $250,000 goal. All donations to the appeal will be paid out to charitable works in 2021. Thank you for your support – you are what makes us successful!

The final 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was released on December 1, 2020. Our experts prepared a topline summary of the most important proposed changes to the payment rates and policies for services paid under Medicare, along with the significant policy and payment changes impacting echocardiographers.

Unfortunately, CMS failed to listen to our submitted concerns with the proposed rule and is finalizing a significant shift in physician and nonphysician payments expected to take effect on January 1, 2021 due to a decrease in the conversion factor.

CMS also released the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final rules on December 2, 2020.  This final rule includes policy and payment changes which will be implemented January 1, 2021. You can learn more here.

Are you interested in volunteering for ASE? The Society depends on its members to get involved and advance our mission. Our volunteers help set standards, develop products, create courses, direct subspecialty activities, advocate for echo on the federal and state levels, and so much more. If you are a new volunteer interested in serving on an ASE committee or a member currently serving on a committee and would like to continue to serve, learn more here and complete the Committee Interest Application & Conflict of Interest/Disclosure Agreement.

The application process will remain open through January 4, 2021. The term of service for new appointments will be July 2021 – June 2022.

The ASE Foundation is now accepting applications for the inaugural Pamela S. Douglas, MD, FASE Research Scholar Award. The full submission details and application can be found online here. Applications are due by February 1, 2021 at 5:00 PM ET.

Established in honor of Dr. Pamela S. Douglas, ASE’s thirteenth President (2001-2003) and a true pioneer in the field of clinical research, this award will grant one-year scholarships to support a clinical or translational research fellow in advanced cardiovascular imaging.

ASE contributed an initial gift of $35,000 to establish the Pamela S. Douglas, MD, FASE Research Scholar Endowment Fund. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $375,000 by December 31, 2021 to be able to continue the award for years to come. You may contribute to this endowment by making a donation here. Your contribution honors her legacy and supports giving research fellows the protected time and mentorship to pursue scholarly echocardiographic inquiries.

Show your friends and colleagues that you value their contribution to the cardiovascular ultrasound profession by giving them the gift of ASE membership.

Top 5 Reasons to Give ASE Membership:

• They will receive free learning opportunities which are also CME/MOC credits.
• They will get immediate access to the latest cardiovascular ultrasound news, guidelines, and research, including Echo Headlines four days a week!
• They will have ample opportunities for leadership and professional development.
• They can easily connect and network with other echo-enthusiasts from across the globe.
• It’s the gift that keeps giving, 365 days a year!

Remember if you gift five new memberships, YOU get a free membership in 2022! This is also a great way to use any leftover money you might have in your budget for 2020. We will notify the gift recipients of this special gift by email and would be happy to customize the message on your behalf.

Questions? Call 919-297-7172 or email Suzanne Morris, Director of Volunteer Activities at SMorris@ASEcho.org. Please contact us by December 21st to be sure your gift memberships are processed and your colleagues are notified this holiday season.

ASE is searching for a qualified candidate to head its international, online case reports journal, CASE. The person selected will be a key player in ASE’s future.

The terms for the founding and current CASE Editors-in-Chief, Karen Zimmerman, BS, ACS, RDCS, RVT, FASE, and L. Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, FASE, FACC, end on July 31, 2021. They have done an amazing job taking CASE from an idea to a well-established journal in PubMed Central with an international reputation for excellence. As CASE Editor-in-Chief, you will continue leading the effort to educate the world about cardiovascular ultrasound through case presentations. Applications are due December 15, 2020.

Full details of the submission process may be found at ASEcho.org/Editor. The successful candidate will begin working closely with Ms. Zimmerman and Dr. Rodriguez beginning May 1, 2021, to ensure a smooth transition. Please direct any questions to Deborah R. Meyer, CASE Managing Editor, at DMeyer@ASEcho.org.