Featured Member of the Month (May 2023): Jessy Farris

Jessy Farris, MHS, RVT, RPhS has a BS degree in Vascular Ultrasound and an MS degree in Healthcare Risk Management. She has more than 13 years of experience in the vein practice environment. In that time, she has created education, training, and competency assessment programs for marketing/sales teams, sonographers, medical assistants, surgical techs, nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians. 

She is responsible for the accreditation of more than 100 sites, and optimization of 100+ clinics, as well as the successful implementation of Quality Improvement programs focusing on providing excellent patient care, nationwide.

Jessy is a member of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS) Ultrasound Specialty Section, and recognized speaker for the AVLS, the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU).

Since 2020, she is a consultant and managing member of Wilson Farris Consulting where she is a coach, preceptor, and educator, specializing in phlebology along with her amazing business partner Ashley Wilson. She resides in Texas with her husband, young son, and two dogs.

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

Although my specialty was vascular ultrasound, not much was taught in school about vein and lymphatics. I often saw patients suffering from vein disease in the vascular labs I worked, and saw their mediocre outcomes, so I wanted to learn more. I began reading about the American College of Phlebology (ACP, now AVLS) and instantly became hooked - these experts were treating patients as we were, but they were seeing amazing patient outcomes! I wanted to be a part of that community - to learn more and be part of a team specializing in diagnosis and treatment of vein disease. So, I applied for a sonographer position in a dedicated vein practice. While there, I shifted to the Quality Department, where I had the honor of working with and learning from Dr. Ted King and Michelle McEvoy, RN for many years.

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

I became a member in 2010 after much research on the best ways to educate myself on serving our patient community. The AVLS (ACP at the time) has always been an excellent resource and has become an amazing community of like-minded individuals… to quote Linda Antonucci - we are “Veiniacs!” 

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

I enjoy the yearly Congresses the most! It is truly amazing to be surrounded by people who do what you do everyday - who are dedicated to taking care of patients with venous and lymphatic disease. I learn so much from attendees and the lectures, which are always amazing. I have had the pleasure of learning from Diana Neuhardt, Gail Size, Linda Antonucci, Donna Kelly, and countless others who have and continue to invest in my personal and professional growth, which I will forever be thankful for - this would not have happened if I hadn’t joined the AVLS!

Any advice for your peers new to the field? What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

Attend the Annual Congress, talk to as many people as possible, ask questions, take notes - we are here to help and learn best from each other. The AVLS also provides amazing hands-on courses for sonographers, such as the Ultrasound Hands-On Workshop, where you learn how to perform scans from the experts; they also offer an RPhS Review Course, which is so helpful for those interested in sitting for this exam. In that vein (yes, yes I did), I highly recommend the RPhS credential for all sonographers dedicated to this field. RPhS stands for Registered Phlebology Sonographer (offered through CCI). The Ultrasound Specialty Section is always working on a myriad of helpful tools for sonographers new to the field, as well as those ready to take their skillset to the next step. Becoming a member helps you take advantage of these amazing opportunities.

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

We like to spend as much time outside as the Texas weather allows! My husband, 6-year-old son and two pups often enjoy local parks and Jeep trails. We like to vacation in North Carolina and Colorado to enjoy the mountains and fresh air! I am currently training for the Hood to Coast relay run in August, a 200-mile race from Mount Hood to the Coast; so much of my early morning time is spent running with “the boys” (my dogs).