2024 SDMS Achievement Awards
Distinguished Educator Award
The SDMS Distinguished Educator Award was established to honor exceptional educators in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. This award is given annually to an educator who is nominated by their peers for their dedication to teaching, innovation in education, and ongoing support of students through mentorship, research, and volunteerism.
2024 Recipient:
Tricia Turner, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
Joan P. Baker Pioneer Award
The Joan P. Baker Pioneer Award was established to honor sonographers who have made innovative and outstanding contributions to the sonography profession. This award is not an annual award but rather awarded as qualified candidates are identified. Selection is based on contributions which have advanced or changed the field of sonography and increased the knowledge and/or welfare of sonographers.
2024 Recipient:
Margaret M. Park, BS, ACS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS, FASE
Stephen McLaughlin Memorial Lectureship Award
The Stephen McLaughlin Memorial Lectureship was created as a tribute to past SDMS President Stephen McLaughlin for his service to the SDMS and his dedication to promoting sonographer professionalism within the healthcare community. The lecture is presented each year at the SDMS Annual Conference in his honor.
2024 Recipient:
Ted Whitten, BA, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
SDMS Fellows
The SDMS Fellow membership category recognizes the lifetime achievement of individual members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of sonography and to the SDMS. An SDMS Fellow is known for their outstanding professional accomplishments as well sustained engagement in SDMS activities and continued SDMS membership.
2024 Recipients:
Stephanie Ellingson, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R), FSDMS
Craig F. Peneff, MHHS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
Kenneth R. Gottesfeld Award
The Kenneth R. Gottesfeld Award recognizes sonographers for the publication of their outstanding research or review articles in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS).
1st Place:
Tim S. Gibbs, BSDMS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, CTNM
Jonathan Birnbaum, MD, AEMUS
Peritonsillar Abscess: A Cohort Study of an Unusual Imaging and Needle Guidance Approach
2nd Place:
B. M. Petrikovsky, MD, PhD
M. Terrani, MD
A. Dillon, RDMS
New Indication for an Established Procedure: Cervical Cerclage for Prevention of Umbilical Cord Prolapse
2024 SDMS Scholarly Competitions
SDMS Scientific Presentation Competition
The Scientific Presentation Competition evaluates sonographers’ original summary papers on clinical research, educational techniques, patient care, sonography department management, case studies presenting a diagnostic challenge, or other areas related to diagnostic medical sonography.
1st Place:
Tsedenia A. Mendesil, MHS, BHS, RDMS, RVT
Douglas Clem, PhD, MHS, RVT, RDCS
An Exploratory Study on the Variability of Flow Volume Measurement Sites in Assessing Hemodialysis Access Arteriovenous Fistulas Amongst Accredited Vascular Labs
Sonographer and Student Poster Competitions
Sonographer and student posters report the results of a research study completed by the authors. Posters are evaluated on presentation, content, and originality and are displayed during the SDMS Annual Conference.
Sonographer Poster
1st Place:
Lonette Spence, DHSc, RVT
The Sonographic Discovery of a Common Carotid Dissection
2nd Place:
Janell Stormo, MHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, RT(R)
Brittney Engelman, BHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
Alice Townsend, MBA, RDMS, RVT
Underutilization of Sonography and Elastography in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Case Report
Student Poster
1st Place:
Allison Clauson
University of Missouri – Columbia
A Rare Case of Bilateral Testicular Metastases from Prostate Cancer: Case Report
2nd Place:
Mariah Bruff
Payton Monroe
Mackenzie Methner
Taylor Todd
Grand Valley State University
Evaluating the Accuracy of 3D/4D Ultrasound in Assessing the Pelvic Floor Muscles in Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A State-of-the-Art Literature Review
W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Award
The W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Awards recognizes outstanding writing in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. Named in memory of W. Frederick Sample, MD, who made tremendous contributions to the growth and development of the field of sonography, the awards encourage students to submit original research and literature review papers to the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS).
Literature Review
1st Place:
Jayden M. Reed, RDCS
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
Sonographic Techniques and Methods in the Evaluation of Patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
2nd Place:
Jennifer Pantoja
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
The Use of Transcutaneous Laryngeal Ultrasonography vs Laryngoscopy in Vocal Cord Paralysis
Original Research
1st Place:
MacKay Whalen
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
Comparing Abdominal and Retroperitoneal Organ Sonographic Measurements to Actual Measurements: A Pilot Study
SDMS Foundation
SDMS Foundation Emerging Leaders
The SDMS Foundation Emerging Leaders Program identifies and mentors future leaders in the sonography field. Participants virtually attend a variety of leadership education opportunities and engage in meaningful dialogue and projects related to the future of the profession and leadership volunteerism. At the end of the program, one participant is selected to represent the cohort at the fall SDMS and SDMS Foundation Board of Directors Meetings and the SDMS Annual Conference.
2024 Cohort Grant Recipient:
Erica Wiencek, BS, RDMS, RVT
Grand Valley State University
SDMS Foundation Scholarship Program
The SDMS Foundation Sonography Student and Advanced Degree Scholarship Programs provide scholarships to deserving sonography students and sonographers who have been accepted or are currently enrolled in a diagnostic medical sonography or cardiovascular technology educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
2024 Recipients:
Sonography Student Scholarship Program
Eden Cole, RDMS, RVT
Laramie County Community College
Ashley Snook
South Hills School of Business & Technology
Sonography Advanced Degree Scholarship Program
Courtney Gushi, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R)(M)
Fort Hays State University
SDMS Foundation Clinical Instructor Grant
The SDMS Foundation Clinical Instructor Grant Program recognizes outstanding volunteer clinical instructors and promotes awareness of the need for clinical instructors.
2024 Recipients:
Kelly Hartzell, MHA, BSMI, RDMS, RVT
Bon Secours Mercy Health - Defiance Campus
Cynthia Newman, RDMS, RVT
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center at Sunnyvale
SDMS Foundation International Assistance Program
The SDMS Foundation International Assistance program provides support to SDMS members who are working or assisting in the international healthcare arena.
2024 Recipients:
Jo Clancy, BS, RDMS, RVT
Medical Mission Trip to Uganda
Ann Purdy, RDMS, RVS, RT(R)
Medical Mission Trip to Guatemala