Frequently Asked Questions
Important ones to ask us before you invest your time & money....

Who are you? I’ve never heard of you before.
In brief, Keith Mauney & Associates (KMA) is the largest teaching institution of its kind in the nation; we’ve been in business continuously since 1981. We keep a low profile because we prefer it that way:  teaching you is a profession to us, first; and a commercial endeavor, last. The best way to learn about us is to find out through others in your own area. Click here for instructions on how to do just that. 

Next, visit our Institute Profile page, then be sure to ask us to prepare for you a current list of our former Guest references. They can tell you better than we about the quality of professional training that we conduct here.

But you're not a university, are you?
Not any more, but we were founded at one of the most prestigious ones in the world: Southwestern University of Texas Medical Center, in Dallas. As a Faculty Associate, Keith Mauney began the institute within the Department of Surgery in 1981. By 1987 he divested his institute of the University mantle to be able to provide a training experience that would be truly independent of academic, political, or commercial bias.

The result is a learning experience as sharp as a razor's edge, presented in an unusually comfortable, non-intimidating manner.

So what’s so different about Keith Mauney & Associates? There are lots of places I can go to closer to home that are cheaper.
You’re right, it’s easy to think of medical training as a commodity: many think it’s all about the same, so you just pick up some when it’s convenient and close to home (just like eggs or milk). But we are definitely not the traditional approach to training. To create the learning culture here, we've formally studied guest service strategies everywhere, from the local 7-11 Store down the street, all the way to the Walt Disney Company. Then we've put what we've learned into practice—for over twenty years. The outcome of this incredible expenditure of time, effort, and money is the Keith Mauney & Associates Learning Experience that has become the industry and professional standard in our field.

Now let’s take a look at cost. From the outset, we decided that it would be much better to explain to you our tuition pricing once than to answer for a poor experience many times over. You would probably agree that it is better to invest a little more time and money than you had planned to, instead of less than you should have. There is no question that you’ll be able to spend the difference it will make, both immediately, and for the rest of your life.

Consider also the extra things we’ve included in your tuition that add up fast to save you money: free continental breakfast and luncheon, all refreshment breaks, no lab fees or additional charges for course materials... and free postconference technical support forever on our 800 numbers.

I’m a little uncomfortable with the machine. I don’t think I’m ready to sit in on a hands-on course with other people that already have some experience.
Not a problem; we see that a lot, and if you’re interested, we can fix it. We have a special course that will get you up to speed fast. It’s called Fundamental Principles of Hands-On Ultrasound for Beginners and it precedes many of our hands-on seminars in every area of application. This is the best jump-start you will ever get on the subject, no matter where you have come from.

In each of our hands-on classes we start out assuming you’ve never touched an ultrasound machine in your life; then we work forward from there. We spend half of our time together in pleasant and supportive hands-on sessions to get you to the comfort level you need with both the machine and its universal application.

I can’t travel, I’ve got children.
Most of our students do, and that's why we've put our courses in the safest, most enjoyable family-oriented sites in North America. Why not bring them with you? Whether it's Disney World, Dallas, or Disneyland, there's a lot of family-oriented diversion to keep everyone busy and happy.

It's the most successful solution we've seen over the years (believe it or not). Of course, someone else will need to come with you to supervise their days, but with proper advance planning the additional cost of travel becomes negligent. And when you consider that you can lodge in a self-contained suite with kitchenette, things start looking a lot more like home.  

Nothing is more important than your family, but you can serve both them and your career at the same time.  Talk frankly with your employer; they will quite likely work with you to make your trip possible.  

What is your usual class size?
It varies by class, but it’s usually from eight to twelve Guests. We like it that way. and so will you.  It permits us to work together with you as individuals rather than as anonymous faces in a crowd. Your success is infinitely more important to us than our income.

How much hands-on time will I have?
One of our greatest strengths is our hands-on focus. That's because hands-on skill is your main objective. Our philosophy from the start has been that it's not always how much time you spend with your hands on the probe, it's how you spend the time. We spend at least half of every day in small-group hands-on sessions. This is where learning takes place in a more informal, yet controlled, atmosphere. It’s fun and supportive, and the pace is individualized to your own speed. 

You'll be in small informal groups, rotating freely among different instruments, or focusing mostly on your own, if available.  You'll work with us directly, but also with your fellow classmates at the same time, to maximize your learning.  If you're shy, like most of us, you'll still be right at home with your colleagues in what is an incredibly friendly, respectful environment.  

We won't through you to the winds, though.  Working as your personal trainer, we work from a specific set of objectives each day, so we always keep you on track toward your learning goals.  We won't just demonstrate the protocol and have you watch; we'll show you, work with you, and keep working with you. And after the course is complete, we'll still be available from a distance, to help critique and fine tune your work, forever, for free.

What machines do you have?
We work with most major manufacturers’ systems. Some seminars have specialized equipment not applicable to others. For this reason you might want to inquire regarding a specific seminar. In every case we emphasize your mastery of the lifetime skills that will allow you to optimize the use of virtually any ultrasound system.

Familiarity with your own system is important, of course, and we’ll work as long as we need to get you comfortable with specific system controls. Remember, we have a special course in instrumentation and physics for the newcomer that will bring you set you free from "instrument intimidation". It's the Fundamentals of Diagnostic Ultrasound for the Beginner course, and there's nothing basic about it, except the manner in which it's all presented. 

I’ve never been away from home for this long. I have second thoughts about traveling.
You’re in good company, then. At least a third of your classmates will likely be traveling from home alone for the first time ever. When you confirm your plans to join us, we’ll send you all the information you need to make your visit with us a success. You'll certainly want to check out our Personal Preparations page before you leave home.

Your comfort and safety is important. Though you will be traveling to large cities, we have located your training and lodging in what are literally the most secure areas of the country. Our host hotels are central to the each area, but far enough removed from high traffic areas to be even more safe. And the staff at each host property is well versed in the KMA style of guest service, and will attend to all your special needs. All you'll need to do is let them know.

Make no mistake: We assume you're here to work, and our expectation is that you will, but we also expect you to balance your time with relaxation. That's why there's a universe of dining, shopping, and entertainment just minutes away from your door, no matter where you choose to join us.

We’re in the profession to answer your questions. Ask us some more.

top of page