Rita Shugart, RN, RVT, FSVU

Rita Shugart is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of vascular technology. Prior to forming Shugart Consulting in February 2008, Rita managed a large, office-based vascular lab and was a practice manager for a cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery practice for more than 27 years.

Rita has participated in numerous professional activities since the 1970’s. She is a Founding Member and Past President of the North Carolina Vascular Technologists. Rita has served on the Board of Directors of the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) several times since the 1980’s, completing terms as Secretary, Vice President, and President. She authored SVU’s Code of Ethics, was elected to its first class of Fellows in 1997, and has been the recipient of its highest service and leadership awards. In 2001 Rita found and became the first President of the North Carolina Vascular Nurses Association.

Rita has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Intersocietal Commission of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) since 1995, and in 2005 she was honored to be elected its first non-physician President. Since 2007, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), the parent organization of ICAVL, ICAEL, ICANL, ICAMRL, and ICACTL. She is currently Chairman of the IAC.

Rita is a frequent speaker at local, regional, and national conferences, specializing in the topics of lab management, Medicare compliance, current issues, coding and billing, and accreditation. In addition to serving on the Advisory Council for the local community college’s ultrasound program, Rita is also a member of several committees, and advisory councils dedicated to promoting the adoption of measures, regulations, legislation, and policy initiatives that enhance quality in diagnostic testing.