President’s Message:
South Carolina Society of Echocardiography
Board Member
Kassi Potrafka
Charlee Porcelli
Leadership
The South Carolina Society of Echocardiography (SCSE) Board of Directors is comprised of members from a variety of professional backgrounds including experienced sonographers, lead sonographers, advanced practice cardiac sonographers, lab managers, technical directors, and sonography program directors. Each leader is elected by our members through a democratic election process and have pledged to volunteer their time in supporting the society to the best of their abilities. Having leaders from each region of South Carolina is essential for fair representation and contributes to our mission and goals of strengthening our profession and furthering the welfare of echocardiographers in the state and surrounding areas.
JEREMY NG
MBA, PMP, RDCS, RDMS, RVT ANMED HEART and VASCULAR
PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Jeremy has over 8 years of experience in the sonography industry spanning Radiology, Cardiology, and Vascular Surgery under various roles including Lead Sonographer and Technical Director. He is ARDMS board certified in echocardiography, vascular, and general. He is also Project Management Professional certified under PMI. He has a bachelor's degree in Cardiovascular Sonography from Grand Valley State University as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Illinois. Jeremy is currently working as the Manager of Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Lab at AnMed Heart and Vascular in Anderson, South Carolina and is passionate in promoting ergonomics, education, and sonography profession awareness to the community.
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ROBERT HADDAD
RDCS, RVT
USC SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
PRESIDENT ELECT
Robert Haddad is a registered cardiovascular sonographer and director of ultrasound education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He has many interests in all facets of ultrasound, including education, research, and development. Robert has delivered lectures domestically and internationally, has published a variety of articles and book chapters for the National Physiology Society, AIUM, WINFOCUS, SUSME, and Ultrasound for Primary Care. Robert holds several patents relating to ultrasound education and is involved in teaching ultrasound to sonographers, medical students, residents, PAs, nurse practitioners, and practicing physicians.
MELISSA ESCUDERO
B.S., ACS, RDCS, RDMS, FASE
SANGER HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE
VICE PRESIDENT
Melissa Escudero is originally from Wayne, NJ but has lived in Tega Cay, SC for the past fifteen years with her husband, 12-year-old twins, a dog, and a cat. She graduated with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from Bergen Community College in 1995. In 2002, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Health Service Management from Montclair State University. She is an Advanced Cardiac Sonographer with over twenty-five years’ experience in echocardiography. She is also a Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography currently serving as a member-at large on the Awards Committee. She has also mentored students, new hires, and cardiology fellows. She has served as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for the echo program at BCC working with students on scanning techniques and competencies. She has also functioned as an ICAEL consultant having successfully aided echo labs seeking both initial accreditation and reaccreditation. She currently works as a Supervisor of Cardiology at Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute-Kenilworth. She has also volunteered for athlete screenings and various community outreach projects on behalf of Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute. Melissa is looking forward to serving the South Carolina Society of Echocardiography and its members.
KASSI POTRAFKA
B.A., RDCS, RVT
PRISMA HEALTH, UPSTATE
SECRETARY
Kassi Potrafka lives in the Upstate of South Carolina with her husband and three young children. Kassi received her Bachelor’s degree from Anderson University in 2007 before entering into Healthcare. Her ultrasound training was achieved through University Hospital’s Harry T. Harper Jr., M.D. School of Cardiac and Vascular Technology in Augusta, Georgia. She has spent her career employed with Prisma Health since 2009 with the majority of her experience devoted to outpatient cardiac testing: Echocardiography and Stress Echocardiography. Her experience has also allowed her a role as clinical preceptor and occasional scan lab instructor with the Clemson University Prisma Health Cardiovascular Imaging Leadership program. Kassi is excited to have an opportunity to serve alongside so many passionate people within Echocardiography across the state of South Carolina.
KELSEY MARL
B.S., RDCS, RVT
MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
TREASURER
Kelsey Marl is a registered cardiovascular sonographer, and the Program Director of the Midlands Technical College Cardiovascular and DMS Sonography Programs. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston. In addition, she graduated from Midlands Tech’s Cardiovascular Sonography program. She has worked for Midlands Technical College since 2019, and she continues to work PRN as a sonographer for MUSC Columbia at a cardiovascular outpatient office.
ROBERT SMITH
MHA, B.S., RDCS, RVT
MUSC HEALTH, MIDLANDS
PAST PRESIDENT
Robert Smith from Camden, South Carolina is the Program Director for the Claude W. Smith, MD School of Cardiovascular Technology at MUSC Columbia. He and his wife Suzy are the proud parents of a 12 year old son named Banks. Robert received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and a Master in Health Administration from MUSC. In addition he graduated from Midlands Tech with a certificate in cardiovascular sonography. Through his almost 20 year career he has worked in a number of capacities including Vascular Lab Manager at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Clinical Applications Specialist for Imacor, Informatics Educator at Prisma and as a Cardiovascular Sonographer at Lexington Medical Center.
KASEY WRIGHT
B.S., RDCS, RVT
CARDIOLOGY CONSULTANTS
BOARD MEMBER, UPSTATE
Kasey Wright lives in Spartanburg with her husband and Boykin Spaniel, Finn. Kasey received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Cardiovascular Imaging from Clemson University in 2014. Although she is also credentialed in vascular, she has a passion for the heart and has spent the majority of her career in echocardiography. She currently works in an outpatient clinic with an office based lab doing echocardiography, stress echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiograms. When Kasey is not at work, she enjoys traveling with her husband, cheering on her Clemson Tigers, or spending time with friends and family. Kasey is looking forward to serving alongside many talented cardiac sonographers and all the exciting things ahead with the South Carolina Society of Echocardiography.
ERIN BRANHAM
RDCS, RVT
LEXINGTON MEDICAL CENTER
BOARD MEMBER, MIDLANDS
In 1992, Erin started her medical career at Bruce Hospital while attending Florence-Darlington Technical College. She moved to Columbia in 1995 and began working at Columbia Cardiology as a medical assistant while simultaneously furthering her education in echocardiography at MUSC. Erin transitioned to Lexington Medical Center in the Cardiovascular department in 2002 and eventually became the first dual registered sonographer at the hospital in 2009 and has nearly 20 years experience as a registered cardiovascular sonographer. She recently transferred to the mobile cardiovascular lab with LMC. Erin currently lives in Lexington with her husband, Bo, of three years and their blended family. She enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.
KAITLIN SCOTT
BOARD MEMBER, LOW COUNTRY
KASSIE WARREN
BOARD MEMBER, OUT OF STATE
DR. PAUL KIM
M.D., F.A.C.C.
SELF REGIONAL HEALTHCARE
ADVANCED CARDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Kim is the son of a cardiologist and soon followed his father’s footsteps. Dr. Kim began his adult education with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1990 where he graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1994, he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency in 1997 and his Cardiology Fellowship in 2002 where he served as Chief Interventional Fellow. The American Board of Internal Medicine certifies him in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Internal Medicine. The Texas and South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners also certify him as a Medical Examiner. In 2002, he moved to Greenwood, SC and created the first coronary artery stenting program at Self Regional Healthcare. This was a big win for Greenwood and surrounding areas. He has previously served as the Medical Director of the Echocardiography Lab and currently serves as the Medical Director for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Self Regional Healthcare and the Cardiovascular Technology Program at Piedmont Technical College. Dr. Kim had quite a few cardiology publications in multiple peer-reviewed journals over the years. Above all, Dr. Kim is a person who cares deeply for his patients, the team members that assist him in taking care of his patients, cardiac students, and the education of health care professionals. Dr. Kim shows this through his day-to-day practice and his generosity.