Honoring a Legacy: Celebrating Denise’s 50-Year Career in Vascular Ultrasound Excellence

Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Limb Salvage, Varicose Veins

Honoring a Legacy: Celebrating Denise’s 50-Year Career in Vascular Ultrasound Excellence

After an extraordinary 50-year career in vascular ultrasound, our highly respected Vascular Lab Technical Director, Denise Levy, is transitioning into a new chapter—retirement from daily practice—while continuing to serve as a vascular imaging consultant. Her passion for patient care, commitment to high standards, and expertise in vascular lab accreditation have left an indelible mark on our practice and the South Bay community.

Since joining Hill Vascular & Vein Center in 2020, Denise has led our IAC accredited vascular lab to uphold the highest standards in abdominal, venous, arterial, and carotid ultrasound examinations. Her leadership ensures every patient receives a thorough, accurate, and timely diagnosis—something she has championed her entire career.

Denise, Vascular Lab Technical Director at Hill Vascular & Vein Center

From Ultrasound Pioneer to Industry Leader

Denise began her career in 1973 as an X-ray student at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, where she was mentored by one of the pioneers of ultrasound. At a time when CT and MRI were not yet available, diagnostic ultrasound represented the frontier of medical imaging.

“I knew ultrasound would be an exciting field,” she recalls. “I loved the hands-on nature and the ability to truly see inside the body to guide care.”

Over five decades, she has witnessed and contributed to the evolution of vascular imaging technology—from the early days of limited capabilities to today’s advanced systems that deliver precise, reliable results.

Raising the Bar for Vascular Labs and Vascular Ultrasound

Before joining Hill Vascular, Denise worked extensively in vascular lab accreditation, helping hospitals and outpatient centers meet national standards for image quality and diagnostic accuracy.

“You have to insist on the best image quality and follow strict diagnostic criteria,” she explains. “It takes good teamwork and reporting results within 24 hours to meet the gold standard.”

At Hill Vascular & Vein Center, she found a team equally committed to thorough, unrushed patient care. “Dr. Hill encourages us to take the time needed for a complete exam, rather than rushing through to see more patients. That makes a tremendous difference in the quality of our work and the accuracy of our diagnoses.”

IAC accredited vascular lab South Bay

The Power of Advanced Imaging: IVUS

In addition to vascular ultrasound, Denise is an expert in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)—a technology that allows physicians to see inside blood vessels during minimally invasive procedures.

“IVUS can change a treatment plan by accurately sizing a vessel and identifying the composition of plaque,” she explains. “It ensures stents or balloons are placed correctly, improving patient outcomes.”

One memorable case involved a patient scheduled for a renal artery ultrasound. During the exam, Denise identified a pancreatic tumor. “The surgeon later told me that early detection saved the patient’s life,” she says.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) procedure

A Mentor, Educator, and Advocate for Quality

Denise has written textbook chapters and trained countless vascular technologists throughout her career. Her advice for future professionals: “Be curious during an exam. Look for subtle changes. Detect disease early—it can change everything for a patient.”

She also takes pride in easing patients’ nerves during testing. “I explain the process and even show them images of their arteries and veins,” she says. “Patients are fascinated to see the blood flow in their own legs and often feel more at ease when they understand what’s happening.”

The team celebrating Denise at Hill Vascular and Vein Center

Looking Ahead

While stepping back from daily scanning, Denise will continue her work as a vascular ultrasound consultant, advising labs on accreditation and quality improvement. She remains excited about advancements in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detection, especially the ability to determine clot age for more targeted treatment.

Her contributions to Hill Vascular & Vein Center—and to the field of vascular imaging as a whole—are immeasurable. We are proud to honor her legacy and grateful for the excellence she has instilled in our lab.

If you are a patient or provider seeking care from an IAC accredited vascular lab in the South Bay, Hill Vascular & Vein Center offers comprehensive, high-quality imaging and diagnostic services. Learn more about our vascular lab and schedule your appointment today.

Hill Vascular & Vein Center – Serving the South Bay and beyond with expert vascular care.

 

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