The AIUM offers these benefits to all members.

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.

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.

Professional Liability Insurance | AIUM members have direct access to competitively priced professional liability insurance specifically designed for diagnostic medical sonographers through a program provided by Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO).

The opportunities and options listed below may be of particular interest to physicians.

CME credits | Because many physicians need AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits for relicensure, accreditation, certification, etc, the AIUM offers a variety of opportunities in different formats for physicians to earn these needed credits.

Annual Convention | The AIUM's annual clinical meeting is the perfect opportunity to "earn and learn." A myriad of opportunities for all ultrasound interests are offered, from intimate Meet-the-Professor sessions, to hands-on programs, to categorical courses by the world's top ultrasound professionals, to snapshots of the latest research, to chances to match wits with your colleagues through Just Images, Film Panels, and Case-of-the-Day events. And, AIUM members save hundreds off nonmember registration fees!

Regional Courses | The AIUM offers a variety of intense weekend workshops throughout the country that focus on individual ultrasound topics in depth. These programs are led by the people you know and trust, and will help ensure that your skills are always up-to-date. In addition to earning the credits you need, members save significantly on all registration fees.

CME Tests | If you don't have the time to travel, you can still earn up to 28 AMA PRA category 1 credits simply by taking the 2 or 3 self-study tests offered each month in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM). Mail your tests in, or take them online for instant feedback. Physician members pay only $20 per credit.

Videos/CD-ROMs | Don't like to travel, but still want to learn from the best while earning your needed CME credits? Then the AIUM's videos and CD-ROMs are perfect. Taped live during the AIUM's regional courses and at the annual convention, these programs allow physicians to learn at their own pace in their own time. Members save 50 percent off the cost of these programs, and up to 5 individuals can earn CME credits at no extra charge, so they're great for sharing with colleagues or teaching your sonographers.

AMA House of Delegates representation | To ensure that your professional interests as a physician and ultrasound professional are represented, the AIUM has representation of the American Medical Association's House of Delegates.

Clinical Standards Committee (CSC) | This committee develops practice standards for all ultrasound areas. These standards are recognized nationwide and are used by professionals in the medical and legal fields. Many standards are now developed in conjunction with relevant societies, such as the American College of Radiology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to broaden their acceptance. Regional Course Committee and Annual Convention Committee - These 2 committees develop programs to meet the scientific, educational, and professional needs of AIUM members.

Patient Resource Committee | This committee is charged with creating appropriate patient brochures, official statements dealing with patient issues, and other resources for patient education.

Professional Interest Sections | AIUM members may choose to be a part of any or all of the 12 professional-interest sections, but there are 9 that are of particular interest to physicians, including cardio/vascular, emergency, fetal echocardiography, general and abdominal, musculoskeletal, obstetrics/gynecology, ophthalmologic, and pediatric ultrasound. Section participants contribute technical advice, determine program content, and identify speakers and moderators for the annual convention. All physicians are urged to attend the section meetings held in conjunction with the annual AIUM annual convention.

Networking | A multitude of opportunities are available to network with other physicians and sonologists, as well as sonographers, scientists and engineers, and other ultrasound professionals.

The opportunities and options listed below may be of particular interest to scientists and engineers.

Special affiliation rate for UMB subscription | AIUM members have the opportunity to subscribe to Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (UMB), the official journal of the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB), at a special discounted rate of only $135 per year. The journal publishes original contributions of significant advancements in clinical, diagnostic, interventional, and therapeutic applications; new and improved clinical techniques; the physics, engineering and technology of ultrasound in medicine and biology; and the interactions between ultrasound and biological materials, including bioeffects. Extended reviews of contemporary subjects of interest in the field are also published in addition to occasional editorial articles, clinical and technical notes, letters to the editor, and a calendar of forthcoming meetings. UMB aims to meet the information and publication requirements of the scientists, engineers, clinicians, and other professionals who constitute the biomedical ultrasonic community.

Bioeffects Committee | Consisting primarily of basic scientists but also including clinical representatives, this committee is charged with the responsibility of providing information to the ultrasound community on matters relating to the biological effects of ultrasound, especially when these matters relate to the safety of clinical ultrasound. The committee meets formally twice a year, communicating by e-mail the rest of the year. The committee encouragesand welcomes noncommittee members to attend meetings and contribute their thoughts and expertise.

The Bioeffects Committee has produced numerous publications, including the very important and popular Medical Ultrasound Safety, which is distributed with almost every ultrasound machine sold in the United States. Committee members prepare official statements on topics ranging from "Mammalian In Vivo Ultrasonic Biological Effects" to "Clinical Safety." The committee regularly undertakes literature reviews to place relevant papers pertaining to bioeffects literature within the context of questions relating to health and safety. And, the committee also conducts major conferences on topics such as mechanical bioeffects and on the effects of nonlinear propagation on the measurement of acoustic parameters relevant to the Thermal and Mechanical Indexes.

Technical Standards Committee | Consisting primarily of basic scientists but also including physicians and sonographers, this committee develops standardized approaches to instrument performance measurements, as well as other aspects of medical ultrasound, including presentation and labeling, phantoms, and nonmenclature. This committee provides reviews of documents, manuals, and standards produced by other organizations, government bodies, and individuals, especially those related to the physics, engineering, performance testing, and clinical use of ultrasound equipment.

The Technical Standards Committee has produced many publications of significant interest to the scientific and manufacturing communities. The committee engages in multiple projects ranging from "Inter-Lab Comparison of Backscatter Attenuation" to "Education Regarding the Availability of Contrast Agents" to "Inter-Lab Comparison of Power Measurements." The committee meets formally twice a year, communicating by e-mail through the remainder of the year. The committee urges noncommittee members with an interest in technical standards to participate in its committee meetings and contribute their thoughts and ideas.

Basic Science and Instrumentation Section | This professional interest section includes any AIUM members with an interest in the science and technology associated with the use of ultrasound in medicine. Participants contribute technical advice, determine program content, and identify speakers and moderators for the annual convention. All researchers, physicists, engineers, and others with an interest are urged to attend the section meeting held in conjunction with the annual AIUM annual convention.

Publications | Scientists, engineers, and physicists may find publications, such as the Quality Assurance Manual for Gray Scale Ultrasound Scanners: Stage 2 and Methods for Specifying Acoustic Properties of Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms and Objects: Stage 1, of particular interest. Visit the AIUM's online store for a complete listing of publications; members save up to 50 percent.

Networking | A multitude of opportunities are available to network with other scientists and engineers, as well as physicians from all specialties, sonographers, and other ultrasound professionals.

Where the present and future of medical ultrasound unite.

Download the Student/Fellow/Resident Membership Application.

The AIUM recognizes that the individuals in training today are the future of the field and of our organization. For that reason, AIUM Student/Resident/Fellow membership is available to any individual who is in a full-time educational program with a concentration in medical ultrasound. This special category of membership provides all the benefits of AIUM membership at a greatly reduced rate of only $25 for 12 months!* Through this category of membership, students, residents, and fellows have the opportunity to enhance their educational experience through research tools, educational material, networking opportunities, and career development.

• A year's subscription to the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) as well as access to the journal's full content at JUM Online. The JUM is an ideal research tool for any student, resident, or fellow studying ultrasound and is only available to AIUM members and subscribers.
• A year's subscription to Sound Waves, the official newsletter of the AIUM, which details events and news concerning the ultrasound community.
• Access to AIUM Standards/Practice Guidelines for Performance of Ultrasound Examinations. These documents are an excellent supplement to your training, as they include information on equipment, documentation, and guidelines for various sonographic examinations.
• Up to half-price savings on all AIUM publications. Topics include ultrasound applications, terminology, safety and bioeffects, and quality assurance.
• Free CME credits from JUM self-study tests and significant discounts on all AIUM educational programs, including the AIUM Annual Convention, Postgraduate Courses, and CME video programs. Although you may not yet need CME credits, these educational tools provide great value by allowing you to learn from top leaders in the field of ultrasound.
• A variety of networking opportunities. Contact established ultrasound professionals from around the world with questions about research, ultrasound practice, job prospects, and more.

In addition to an online membership directory (available to AIUM members only), AIUM student/resident/fellow members may join Communities of Practice, which facilitate communication between AIUM members with common ultrasound interests.

* $25 membership fee available to all students/residents/fellows in the United States. Additional fees apply to international memberships. Refer to the application (linked below) for a listing of all student/resident/fellow membership rates.

AIUM student/resident/fellow membership provides value to you during your education and beyond. In addition to being a great résumé builder, AIUM membership provides you with a link to your professional future. Begin your affiliation with a professional association where ideas, resources, and opportunities abound.

As you go forward into your profession, the AIUM will provide tools to ease the transition into the workplace, including access to an online job board as well as a graduated dues structure, available to AIUM student/resident/fellow members.

To become an AIUM student/resident/fellow member for only $25, e-mail, mail, or fax the Student/Fellow/Resident Membership Application along with a letter of verification from your department chief or other official document verifying your full-time educational status.

E-mail:	membership@aium.org
Mail:	AIUM, Attn: Membership 14750 Sweitzer Lane, Suite 100 Laurel, MD 20707-5906 USA
Fax:	301-498-4450

Following your first year of student/resident/fellow membership, your AIUM status will be automatically upgraded to first-year career member-a savings of more than 75% off general membership dues. The next year, you will be automatically upgraded to second-year career member-again, a savings of more than 50%. And finally, the third year, you will become an AIUM general member. The membership dues rates for these categories through 2009 are illustrated below.

(Prices subject to change after December 31, 2009.)

	United States	Canada/Mexico	International
Student/resident/fellow*	$25	$70	$100
First-year career	$50	$95	$125
Second-year career	$100	$145	$175
General member, physician	$250	$295	$325
General member, nonphysician	$140	$185	$215

* You will receive a dues reminder notice a few months prior to your membership expiration that will reflect the automatic change in membership. If you are still a full-time student, resident, or fellow, simply inform AIUM Member Services of your current status, and you will receive instructions on how to maintain your student standing and continue to receive the student/resident/fellow membership rate.

For questions about the AIUM student/resident/fellow membership category or the graduated dues structure, please call Member Services at 800-638-5352 or 301-498-4100, or e-mail membership@aium.org.

Membership services begin the month dues are received and continue for 12 months.

	Nonphysician	Physician	Student/Fellow/Resident *
United States	$140	$250	$25
Canada or Mexico	$185	$295	$70
Other International	$215	$325	$100

Membership rates valid through December 31.

Membership dues are nonrefundable and nontransferable. AIUM dues are not deductible as a charitable contribution for federal tax purposes, but may be deductible as a business expense. You will receive your AIUM orientation package within 2-4 weeks after joining the AIUM.

* Download the Student/Fellow/Resident Application. Applicants must present verification of full-time educational program, fellowship, or residency at the time of application.