ASE president outlines need to lead on AI, sustain echo workforce
David H. Wiener, MD, president of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), is making workforce sustainability, collaboration and thoughtful adoption of artificial intelligence central themes of his agenda as the society enters its 51st year.
Speaking about his vision for ASE in 2026, Wiener emphasized the breadth of the organization and its role in a rapidly evolving imaging landscape.
“I want to tell you how honored I am to guide the ASE into its 51st year. We're a very strong society. We have 22,000 members. Our members are from over a hundred countries,” he said, adding that ASE brings together cardiologists, sonographers and a wide range of cardiovascular ultrasound users. He said the society aims “to be the convener of cardiac ultrasound at the center of cardiac imaging in a multi-modality world where cardiac imaging and cardiac care really are a team sport.”
Expanding collaborations across imaging and cardiology
Wiener said collaboration has long been a strength of ASE and will continue to expand under his presidency. He cited longstanding relationships with groups such as the National Board of Echocardiography, the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and multiple sonographer organizations, as well as an international alliance involving dozens of echo societies worldwide.
He also highlighted growing alignment with other cardiovascular imaging and procedural groups, noting that they are seeking alignment around areas of common interest, including nuclear medicine, cardiac CT and cardiac MR. These partnerships, he said, create opportunities to work together on advocacy, quality, guideline development and disease-focused programs that cut across imaging modalities.
AI as a tool, not a replacement, in cardiac ultrasound
Industry collaboration is another pillar of ASE’s strategy, particularly as AI becomes embedded in imaging systems. Wiener said ASE’s industry roundtable provides a forum for two-way communication about emerging technology and clinical needs, with AI a major topic of recent discussions.
“It's creeping its way everywhere,” he said of AI. “It's our job as the leaders in cardiovascular ultrasound cardiovascular imaging to make sure that the systems are robust, that they're reliable, that they don't hallucinate, and that they are our servants rather than the other way around.”
He framed AI as both a necessity to increase efficiency and an opportunity in the context of workforce shortages. “I think a good way of putting it is that the imager who doesn't use artificial intelligence will be replaced by the imager who does,” Wiener said, pointing to AI’s potential to improve efficiency and reduce repetitive tasks.
Addressing a shrinking, aging workforce
Workforce sustainability emerged as one of Wiener’s most urgent concerns. He cited federal projections showing significant shortfalls in both cardiologists and sonographers in the coming years.
“Well, the workforce issues are obvious,” Wiener said. “The Department of Health and Human Services in its outlook for 2037 estimates that we will have approximately 81% of the cardiologists we need to meet the demand and approximately 85% of the sonographers we need.”
ASE is examining the problem across multiple dimensions, including early recruitment into sonography, retention and career advancement pathways, burnout and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, he said. Similar challenges exist on the physician side, he added, from attracting trainees into imaging-focused careers to addressing physical strain from procedures such as transesophageal echocardiography.
ASE has conducted a workforce survey to better quantify these issues. Wiener said the data are now being analyzed, with the goal of proposing solutions or mitigation strategies during the remainder of his presidency.
Engaging ASE members across career stages
Beyond workforce numbers, Wiener stressed the importance of keeping current members engaged and demonstrating ASE’s value to diverse professional groups.
“Our members evolve, their needs evolve, and we have to identify them and show them granularly what it is that we are doing for them,” he said, noting that ASE currently is at peak membership. He challenged members to help guide the society’s priorities, from trainees and early-career clinicians to experienced imagers in academic, community and private equity–owned practices.
By strengthening collaboration, embracing technology responsibly and focusing on the people who perform and interpret echocardiography every day, Wiener said ASE aims to ensure the specialty remains sustainable and central to cardiovascular care in the years ahead.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]