Featured Member of the Month (Oct. 2022): Donna Kelly

Donna Kelly, RPhS, RVT, RDMS is a vascular sonographer with over 28 years of experience. She is currently the technical director of the Middlesex Surgical Associates vascular laboratory in Winchester, MA as well as a per diem technologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Fifteen years of her career were focused on venous disease while working in a dedicated venous vascular lab for Massachusetts General Hospital. She is currently on the ultrasound section committee for the American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS). Donna is a subject matter expert and item writer for the Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) credentialing exam and has previously acted as a site visitor for the IAC vein center division. Donna has lectured locally in her home state of Massachusetts as well as nationally. She is the lead author of three Journal publications and a contributor to another. She is extremely excited to have co-authored the recently published book, Inside Ultrasound Venous Vascular Reference Guide. 

Donna has been a member of the AVLS since 2009. 

How and why did you start practicing in the field of vein/lymphatic care?

As a vascular technologist, I worked in a vascular lab that provided studies for vascular surgeons who specialized in vein care. Eventually, I was offered a full-time position in a vascular lab that focused on venous disease, I stayed in that position for more than 15 years. Venous disease is complex and ultrasound for it involves far more than following a predefined protocol. I love that we need to use all our critical thinking skills to demonstrate the disease and explain why it is present. The challenges associated with this study have kept me excited and engaged in vascular ultrasound for 28 years.

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?

My husband Jim and I have been married for 28 years and we have two adult children Meghan and Owen. We love to travel, and we spend a lot of our time at the beach in our "home away from home" in York, ME.

How long have you been a member of the AVLS and why did you decide to join?

I have been a member of AVLS since 2009 and joined after I attended the Annual Congress that year. I joined because I was so impressed by the knowledge level demonstrated by the ultrasound sessions' faculty at that meeting. I hoped that joining would allow me to continue learning from them outside the annual meeting. To this day I am thankful I have such amazing mentors to learn from and follow in their footsteps.

In what ways has the AVLS helped you as a vein/lymphatic care provider?

AVLS has taught me that to perform a thorough ultrasound study for venous disease we need to not only understand venous ultrasound but also understand the disease process, the treatments, and the possible outcomes. Realizing the importance of understanding all aspects of venous disease led me to obtain the ultrasound credential that I am most proud of the Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) credential. I strongly encourage all sonographers, and providers, with a focus on venous ultrasound to sit for this credential. When you pass you will add that credential to your title and you will do so with pride.

Any advice for your peers new to the field? 

Do not be afraid to ask questions. There are so many AVLS members who are just as excited to teach as you are to learn. 

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

The greatest benefit is a network of your peers. Some will have less experience than you and you can play a role in their learning. Some will have more experience than you and they can play a role in your learning. As a bonus to all of the teaching and learning, you will create a network of colleagues who will quickly become your friends.