16th Annual Houston State-of-the-Art Echo Symposium & Boot Camp for the 2026 Board

Needs Statement

This comprehensive educational activity is designed to address critical professional practice gaps in echocardiography, as identified by national training standards and clinical outcomes. The symposium targets deficiencies in the detection and management of adult congenital heart defects, and the accurate assessment of valvular heart disease, including both stenosis and regurgitation, where misinterpretation can lead to inappropriate clinical decisions. To meet these needs, the course integrates guideline-based instruction with case-based learning and fast-paced didactic lectures. Participants will gain practical skills in Doppler assessment, quantitative imaging techniques, and multimodality integration, enhancing their ability to evaluate complex valvular lesions and congenital abnormalities. Sessions on cardiomyopathies, coronary complications, cardiac masses, and pericardial disease further support the development of diagnostic accuracy in nuanced clinical scenarios. The program also includes a dedicated boot camp to prepare attendees for the National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) exam, offering structured review, formula memorization, and board-style question practice. By simulating realworld lab conditions and emphasizing quality improvement and lab efficiency, the course ensures learners can apply advanced imaging techniques in daily practice. Ultimately, this activity supports a diverse audience, including physicians, sonographers, and trainees, by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to close practice gaps, improve patient outcomes, and stay current with evolving echocardiographic standards.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the conference, participants should be able to:

• Detect and diagnose common adult and congenital heart defects using guideline-based approaches and case-based reviews that simulate real-world echocardiography lab scenarios. 
• Apply accepted guideline-based methods for assessing valve stenosis and regurgitation severity, and correlate findings with appropriate treatment pathways using Doppler and quantitative imaging techniques. 
• Improve the quality and efficiency of echocardiography laboratories by implementing best practices in image acquisition, interpretation, and reporting, aligned with current ASE and ACC guidelines. 
• Recognize morphological features of cardiac disease using 2D, M-mode, and advanced modalities such as 3D and speckle tracking echocardiography. 

Target Audience

Competencies

• Quality Improvement
• Systems-Based Practice
• Teams and Teamwork

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures
• Panel Discussion
• Case Study

Accreditation/Credit Designation

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 18.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Credit

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 18.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.
Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery (ABS) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Credit

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.