A complete list of membership benefits can be found by viewing the general benefits; however, the opportunities and options listed below may be of particular interest to sonographers and technologists.

Distinguished Sonographer Award | Established in 1997, this prestigious award is a means of recognizing and honoring AIUM sonographers whose outstanding contributions to the development of diagnostic ultrasound warrant special merit.

CME credits | The AIUM provides many opportunities to earn both AIUM credits and AMA PRA category 1 credits, both of which are accepted by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) for maintenance of certification.

CME Tests | 2 or 3 self-study CME Tests in each monthly issue of the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) offer 1 credit each, and may be taken online for instant feedback. Sonographers can earn 28 credits per year this way.

Videos and CD-ROMs | Educational videos or CD-ROMs are available for half price to AIUM members. Each program, which is presented by some of the world's top ultrasound professionals, offers CME credits for 5 viewers at no additional charge, so it's a great way for multiple sonographers at 1 facility to study together and earn credits.

Sonography Section | The AIUM's Sonography Section consists of professionals with a particular interest in the actual performance of the ultrasound examination and those with an interest in ultrasound practice management. The section meets once a year during the annual convention to develop courses for the next year's convention, as well as to discuss issues of interest, including, but not limited to, reimbursement issues; professional standards and guidelines; employee retention strategies; strategies to address employee shortages; repetitive stress injuries as they relate to the performance of ultrasound; and the emergence of the "sonographer practitioner."

Sonographer Sector | This column in the AIUM's newsletter, Sound Waves, is written by and for sonographers to provide information that they need.

Patient Resource Committee | This committee, which consists of both sonographers and physicians, develops materials for patients that helps explain what sonographers and sonologists do. The committee is also developing curricula to help high school and elementary teachers explain ultrasound, as well as materials to be used at school fairs to promote the sonography profession.

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month | An activity conducted in conjunction with 5 other ultrasound-related societies, this month provides sonographers an opportunity to educate the public and promote their profession.

Sonography Listserv | Although sonographers may join all AIUM listservs, this one was established particularly for sonographers to provide a forum for them to address topics of concern to those who perform ultrasound examinations.

Networking | Numerous opportunities are available throughout the year for sonographers and technologists to network with other sonographers, as well as with scientists, physicians, and others in the ultrasound field.