History of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine's efforts to keep ultrasound safe.

or more than 50 years, the goal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM; Figure 1) has been to advance the art and science of ultrasound in medicine and research through its educational, scientific, and professional activities. The AIUM has achieved numerous accomplishments in its quest to reach this goal. These accomplishments have helped cultivate the field of medical ultrasound as we know it today. Over the years, some of our key endeavors have included the formation of a voluntary ultrasound practice accreditation program, the creation of ultrasound clinical practice guidelines and the development of official statements on key topics in ultrasound, and the establishment of an ultrasound education and research fund, as well as serving as a leader in safety and bioeffects issues. We indeed owe our successes to our many dedicated members, but let us not forget the core of our organization, the devoted executive officers, board of governors, committees, and staff at the AIUM executive office, which will be the focus of this article. Some of our AIUM old-timers may remember the beginnings of the AIUM and the subsequent establishment of the AIUM executive office, but for those of you who do not remember, this article will chronicle the formation of a new organization and how from its humble beginnings it has managed to flourish over the years.