SDMS Annual Report 2004 - Society of Diagnostic Medical ...

A N N U A L 

R E P O R T 

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Table of Contents 

I. President’s Letter to the SDMS Membership ............2 

A N N U A L 

R E P O R T 

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II. Executive Director’s Report ......................................4 

III. SDMS Snapshot ........................................................5 

IV. Looking Ahead ........................................................10 

V. Membership Highlights ...........................................12 

VI. Education Highlights ...............................................20 

VII. Advocacy Highlights ...............................................24 

VIII. Policy Highlights .....................................................26 

IX. Public Awareness Highlights ...................................26 

X. Financial Highlights ................................................27 

XI. Summary .................................................................28 

SDMS Annual Report 2004 1

I. 

President’s Letter 

to the SDMS 

Membership 

Laurinda Andrist, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Dear SDMS Members: 

2004 was another very good year for the SDMS. We continue to enjoy the preeminent position 

as the largest professional association for sonographers in the world. We began the year with 

14,426 members and ended with 16,270. Our impressive annual growth exceeds any comparable 

association industry standard. 

Our 2004 Annual Conference in New Orleans in October was 

the largest meeting ever held for sonographers. More than 

1,600 participants came to the “Big Easy” to attend one of the 

82 educational offerings in the five specialty and professional 

development tracks delivered by 50 nationally renown 

speakers. As an added bonus, 43 of our educational sessions 

carried American Medical Association (AMA) Category 

1 credit – a first for the SDMS Annual Conference. As an 

exclusive, ‘member-only’ benefit for those unable to attend, 

the 2004 SDMS Annual Conference Proceedings, including 

course syllabi, were posted on the SDMS website following 

the conference. 

The Mardi Gras Madness gala held at the Annual Conference certainly lived up to its billing as 

the most fun-filled party within the ultrasound community. 

Clearly, the SDMS meeting has become “the” meeting for sonographers and sonography vendors. 

If you have not had an opportunity to attend a SDMS Annual Conference in the last few years, we 

strongly encourage you to “give us a try.” We are confident it will exceed your expectations. 

2 SDMS Annual Report 2004

We were very pleased with our momentum in 2004 and a cornerstone of our activity is 

the completion of the SDMS Strategic Plan (see page 10). We have been very fortunate 

as an organization in membership, staff, leadership, and resources, for which we are very 

appreciative. However, we live and work in a constant state of change with uncertainties 

surrounding our profession and our careers as sonographers. It is only with thoughtful 

planning, based on the best and most comprehensive knowledge available, that we will 

be prepared for the future of our profession. The SDMS Strategic Plan is exactly that: a 

roadmap for our future over the next three to five years. 

We enlisted the luminaries of the sonography profession to assist in our strategic planning 

effort. We included the key stakeholder communities outside of SDMS in preparing, 

developing and reviewing our strategic plan. Our Core Purpose as an organization emerged 

from this six-month project: “To enhance the art and science of medicine by advancing 

medical sonography.” Our Core Values that support our work were also clearly delineated 

during this process: “Leadership, Innovation, Integrity and Respect.” Most importantly, 

our vision for the future of our profession was decidedly articulated: “Be responsible for 

credentialed sonographers achieving full professional status and sonography realizing its 

full potential within medical practice.” Make no mistake, this is a daunting challenge, but 

one that we, as an organization, are committed to achieving. 

We are gaining momentum toward accomplishing our advocacy-related goals with our 

participation in the Coalition for Quality in Ultrasound (CQU), as well as our participation 

in other coalitions. Our largest-ever Leadership Development Workshop for SDMS board 

members, committee chairs and liaisons will be held in April 2005. We are also beginning 

a new project of tremendous importance by establishing the SDMS National Education 

Curriculum Task Force, which will provide the leadership for a future national consensus 

conference on sonography education. These efforts will require new volunteer resources 

and expertise, and we encourage you to consider getting involved in helping us meet the 

challenges. I am certain you will find it, as I do, a most rewarding experience. 

I extend my sincere appreciation to all for allowing me the privilege of serving as your 

President. 


II. 

Executive 

Director’s 

Report 

Donald F. Haydon, CAE 

I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the Executive Director of the SDMS. It is a pleasure 

because I have the privilege of working with a group of dedicated volunteer leaders and a team 

of highly competent staff members. Combined, this volunteer/staff team has worked to create a 

successful and vibrant non-profit, professional association. That success was reflected in bottomline 

organizational results in 2004. 

The hallmark of SDMS is our dedication to our members. We understand we exist to service and 

support our members. We have a sincere commitment to customer service, and everything we do 

is guided by our operational philosophy: “We will do anything possible to help a member.” While 

some in this modern, high-tech world regard customer service as unimportant or peripheral, we 

take it very seriously and place it center stage. 

All four major SDMS operational areas were successful in 2004. The four areas are: membership, 

meetings, educational products and journal activities. As the President mentioned in her letter to 

the SDMS membership, our membership continued to grow in 2004. Just as encouraging as the 

growth was our membership retention rate. Not only are our current members staying members 

but we were able to attract 4,266 new members during 2004. This result is nothing short of 

spectacular when compared to other associations. We held the largest Annual Conference in 

SDMS history, and sold out the conference exhibit hall three months in advance of the meeting. 

Our 2004 product catalog was filled with more than 50 educational products and “rounded out” 

with an attractive offering of sonography “pride” items. Our journal circulation numbers continue 

to grow, and advertising space in each issue of the journal is completely filled. 

I believe the reason we have experienced this success is simple. We ask our members what they 

need and want, and then we deliver it with convenience and make it easily accessible. It is a 

formula that we intend to continue to follow. The SDMS membership benefit package is the most 

robust source of benefits available within the sonography community; again, the result of our 

commitment to service and support our membership. 

The 2004 year was a very good one from many perspectives – operations, advocacy influence and 

bottom-line results. Your SDMS headquarters is staffed by 16 people dedicated to keeping the 

SDMS as the premier non-profit association for sonographers and to ensuring that the membership 

continues to receive exceptional customer service and support. 

We thank you for the opportunity to serve. 


The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) was founded 

in 1970 to promote, advance and educate its members and the medical 

community in the science of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The Society 

achieves its purpose by: 

• Seeking the cooperation of similar organizations; 

• Initiating and overseeing educational programs; 

• Stimulating and encouraging research; encouraging presentation and 

publication of scientific papers; 

• Collecting and disseminating information pertinent to membership; 

• Publishing a scientific journal and a newsletter; 

• And, reviewing and establishing policies regarding the professional 

status, legislative activity, and welfare of members. 

SDMS 

Snapshot 

III. 

SDMS Board of Directors 

Laurinda Andrist, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS President 

Jean Lea Spitz, MPH, RDMS, FSDMS President-Elect 

Shannon Boswell, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT Vice-President 

Carolyn Coffin, MPH, RT, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS Treasurer 

Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS Secretary 

Kevin Evans, PhD, RT (R)(M)(BD), RDMS, RVS, FSDMS Past President 

Joy Guthrie, MS, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, ROUB Region 1 Director 

Cindy Rapp, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS Region 2 Director 

Regina Swearengin, AAS, BS, RDMS Region 3 Director 

Lynne Schreiber, MS, RT(R), RDMS Region 4 Director 

Marsha Neumyer, BS, RVT, FSVU, FAIUM Region 5 Director 

Felicia Jones, MSEd, RDMS, RVT Region 6 Director 

Nancy Chouinard, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT Region 7 Director 

Cheri Fisher, MPA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT Commercial Representative 


SDMS Committees 

SDMS committees serve as a valuable resource to the Board of 

Directors. Committees serve as sounding boards and as sifters of 

opinion. Committees are also responsible for carrying out the projects 

and activities identified by the Board as critical steps in accomplishing 

our strategic plan. The Society’s success is based on a strong link to 

the grassroots membership. A solid committee structure and volunteer 

base are critical to the issues identification process as well as future 

leadership development. 

Awards Committee 

Diane Youngs, MS, RDMS, RVT Chair 

Jean Lea Spitz, MPH, RDMS, FSDMS Board Liaison 

Jeannetta Daniels-Barrion, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Kathleen Murphy, MBA, RDMS, RT 

Jennifer L. Pysher, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Lorrie Scherer, RDMS, RDCS, CRGS, CRCS 

Bylaws Committee 

Cheri Fisher, RT, RDMS, RVT Chair 

Cindy Rapp, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Kathy Benz-Campbell, MA, RDMS 

David Rands, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Terri Porcarelli, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Board Liaison 

Conference Management Committee 

Robert J. Daigle, BA, RVT, FSVU Chair 

Lynne Schreiber, MS, RT(R), RDMS Board Liaison 

Patrick D. Coon, RDCS, RCVT 

Pamela M. Foy, BS, RDMS 

Cindy A. Owen, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Mani Montazemi, RDMS 

Continuing Medical Education Committee 

Jill Herzog, BS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT Chair 

Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Merri Bremer, RN, RDCS 

Daniel Brewer, RDCS, RVT 

Kara Chickering, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Susan DeWitt, BS, RDCS, RCS 

Matthew Paul Esham, RCS, RDCS 

Lois Hart, RDMS 

Michael Hartman, MS, RDMS, RVT, RT 

Karen Having, MSEd, RT(R), RDMS 

Janice Hickey, BSc RT(R), RDMS 

Cheryl Kiesel, ROUB, COA 

Michael Kleine, BS, RDMS, RVT 

Leif Penrose, BA, RDMS, RVT, RT(R, CT) 

Lisa Royle, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Dana Salmons, BS, RT(R), RDMS 

Diana Strickland, BSBA, RDCS, RDMS 

Cynthia Todd, RDCS, RCS 

Sondi Troy, MSRS, RDCS, RVT, RDMS 

Gina Swearengin, BS, RDMS 

Educators Committee 

Doug Jones, BA, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RCT Chair 

Gina Swearengin, BS, RDMS Board Liaison 

Ellen Bowman, RDMS, RDCS 

Jan Bryant, MS, RDMS 

Kathleen Robson, BS, RDCS, RCVT 

Dora DiGiacinto, MS, BSRT, RDMS, RDCS 

Catherine Fuhs, BS, RDMS, RVT 

Hamad Ghazle, MS, RDMS 

Ann Neilson, MS, RVT, RDMS, RT(R) 

Catherine (Cathie) Rienzo, BS, RT, RDMS 

Board Liaison 


Carole Schanel, MEd, RT, RDMS 

Leslie Santaguida, RDMS, RVT 

Cheryl Vance, MA, RT(R)(M), RDMS, RVT 

Christine Schara BS, RDMS, CNMT, RT(R,N) 

Ethics Committee 

Lori Koziol, RDMS, CRGS, FSDMS Chair 

Felicia Jones, MSEd, RDMS, RVT Board Liaison 

Rebecca Hall, PhD, RDMS, FSDMS 

Wayne Persutte, BS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM 

Finance Committee 

Carolyn Coffin, MPH, RT, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS 

Chair / Board Liaison 

Mark Caviston, RT, RDMS 

Shannon Boswell, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Pamela Crawford, RT, RDMS 

Carol Ann Martin, MBA, RDMS 

Jean Lea Spitz, MPH, RDMS, FSDMS 

Government Relations Committee 

Shannon Boswell, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT Chair 

Joy Guthrie, MS, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, ROUB Board Liaison 

Jeanette Burlbaw, BS, RDMS, FSDMS 

Bob DeJong, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Julia Dmitrieva, MPH, RDMS, RCVT 

Sarah Mattheis Eric Meaders, MEd, RDMS 

Eric Meaders, MEd, RDMS 

Tammy Stearns, BS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Terry Tye, MS, RDMS, RDCS 

Membership Committee 

Betty Glascock, RDCS, FASE Chair 

Kevin Evans PhD, RT(R)(M)(BD), RDMS, FSDMS, RVS 

Board Liaison 

Cheryl Boodt, BS, RDMS 

Terri Evans, RDMS 

Brenda Hoopingarner, MS, RT(R), RDMS 

Clay Naomi, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Eileen Nemec, RDCS 

Sandra Strickland, RDMS 

Diane Swain, RDCS, RCS, LPN, FASE 

Nominating Committee 

Jean Lea Spitz, MPH, RDMS Chair / Board Liaison 

Diana Burda, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 

Susan Murphey, BS, RDMS, RDCS 

Debbra Soffer, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Kerry Weinberg, RT, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Practice Management Committee 

Anne M. Jones, RN, RVT, RDMS Chair 

Nancy Chouinard, RDMS, RDCS Board Liaison 


Jim Baun, BSD, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Annitta Morehead, BA, RDCS 

Lindi Quinn, RDMS, RVT 

Pamela D. Samuels, RDCS 

Kathryn S. Spelman, BA, RDMS, RVT 

Ultrasound Practitioner Committee 

Michael Hartman, MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R) Chair 

Laurinda Andrist, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS Board Liaison 

Michele Bierig, MPH, RDMS, RDCS 

Carolyn Coffin, MPH, RT, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS 

Joyce Grube, MS, RDMS 

Catheeja Ismail, MA, RDMS 

Anne M. Jones, RN, RVT, RDMS 

Diane M. Kawamura, PhD, RT(R), RDMS, FSDMS 


Doug Roberts, RDMS, RDCS 


SDMS Liaisons to External Organizations 

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography maintains formal and 

informal relationships with medical and allied health care providers, 

government, third-party payers, scientific and research groups, and 

other organizations important to the practice of sonography. The 

Liaison Program facilitates communication of information and 

strengthens the role of SDMS in the field of diagnostic medical 

sonography. 


• American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) 

• American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 

• Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) 

• World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 

(WFUMB) 

• World Federation of Sonographers (WFS) 

• American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA) 


• AIUM Bioeffects/Technical Standards 

Robert De Jong, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

• Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular 

Laboratories (ICAVL) 

Stephanie Ellingson, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

• Health Professions Network (HPN) 

Kevin Evans, PhD, RT (R)(M)(BD), RDMS, RVS, FSDMS 

• SDMS Educational Foundation 

Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

• Sonography Registries: 

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) 

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) 

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) 

Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound 

Professionals (CARDUP) 

• Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) 

Felicia Jones, MSEd, RDMS, RVT 

• Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical 

Sonography (JRC-DMS) - Transition Committee 

Kathryn Kuntz, BS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 


Sonography (JRC-DMS) 

Wayne Leonhardt, BA, RDMS, RVT 

• Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular 

Laboratories (ICAVL) 

Annette Smith, RDCS 

• Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography 

Laboratories (ICAEL) 


• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 

(CAAHEP) 

• Association of Educators in Radiological Sciences (AERS) 

Kerry Weinberg, MPA, RT, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 


Sonography (JRC-DMS) 


2004 SDMS Staff 

pictured with Joan Baker 

(front row, center) 

IT Support Manager 

SDMS Staff * 

A small, but dedicated staff provides support to the more than 16,000 

members of the SDMS. Many of the staff wear “multiple hats” and use 

advanced technology to provide member service that is unmatched. 

Chris Alcott 

Communications & Marketing Manager 

Shawna Austin 

CME Coordinator, Continuing Medical Education 

Barbara Clay 

Administrative Assistant, Membership Marketing & Services 

Christy Cowser 

Office Coordinator 

Beverly Hastings 

Executive Assistant 

Donald Haydon, CAE 

SDMS Executive Director 

Scott Farmer 

Joe Good 

Web Developer 

Keith Gentry 

Membership Marketing & Services Coordinator 

Donald Kerns 

Deputy Executive Director/Chief Information Officer 

Mary Morgan 

Administrative Assistant - Education 

Nancy Garcia Penrod 

Bookkeeper 

Sandra Riggins 

Director of Meetings; Assistant Director of Education 

Mary Rodriguez 

Director, Accounting and Personnel 

Dawn Sanchez 

Director, Membership Marketing & Services; Executive Director, 

SDMS Educational Foundation 

* as of 12/31/2004 


C O R E P U R P O S E : 

To enhance the art and science of medicine by advancing medical sonography. 

C O R E V A L U E S : 

IV. 

Looking 

Ahead: 

The SDMS 

Strategic Plan 

Building on its 30 year history as 

a professional association for the 

field of sonography, the SDMS 

established a new strategic plan 

in 2004. The strategic plan will 

guide the organization for the 

next three to five years. 

LEADERSHIP: 

INNOVATION: 

INTEGRITY: 

RESPECT: 

We are a visionary community relentlessly committed to professional 

excellence in medical sonography. 

We are a professional community forever in pursuit of innovative practice. 

We are a credible community accountable for ethical stewardship of our 

profession’s interests and investments in the future. 

We are an inclusive community united by common dedication to 

professional status for sonographers and shared appreciation of the value 

of diverse perspectives, experience and expertise. 

Note: All Core Values are of equal importance; no order of priority is implied. 

E N V I S I O N E D F U T U R E : 

Be responsible for credentialed sonographers achieving full professional status and 

sonography realizing its full potential within medical practice. 

G O A L S & O B J E C T I V E S : 

A. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE 

A1. Body of Knowledge & Standards Goal 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) will have universally 

accepted and clearly defined standards for education and practice. 

Objectives: 

1. Increase the number of accredited educational programs. 

2. Increase the number of accredited laboratories. 

3. Increase the number of sonographers who are graduates of 

accredited programs. 

A2. Patient Care & Quality Assurance Goal 

Health-care providers and patients will be assured quality sonography services. 

Objectives: 

4. Increase public awareness of the attributes of quality medical 

ultrasound services. 


5. Increase key audience understanding of the 

value and quality of medical ultrasound 

services. 

6. Increase awareness among potential 

students so that all sonographers enter the 

profession through an accredited program. 

B. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION 

B1. Influence Goal 

SDMS will be influential regarding issues of legislation, 

regulation, public awareness and career enhancement. 

Objectives: 

1. Increase SDMS’ political influence. 

2. Increase alliances with physician groups. 

3. Increase the knowledge of issues relating to 

members and sonography. 

4. Increase recognition of sonography with insurers 

and policy makers. 

5. Increase public awareness of quality sonography 

and what it should expect. 

B2. Reputation Goal 

Sonographers will be recognized as medical 

professionals who are formally educated and 

credentialed. 

Objectives: 

6. Increase recognition of the quality of the 

work and professionalism of sonographers 

by other professionals. 

7. Increase sonographers’ professionalism, 

positive attitude and pride in their career. 

8. Increase the educational requirements to 

be a sonographer. 

9. Increase the awareness of the need for credentialing 

in the field. 

C. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY 

C1. Advocacy Goal 

SDMS will be the expert source of information for policy 

makers on issues related to the sonography profession. 

Objectives: 

1. Increase the number and variety of policy makers 

seeking information from SDMS. 

2. Increase the size and scope of available data. 

3. Increase advocacy resources. 

C2. Partnership Goal 

SDMS will be viewed as a valued partner by public and private 

entities that share its vision and values. 

Objectives: 

4. Increase collaborative relationships with public and 

private entities. 

5. Increase the number and variety of collaborative partnerships. 

C3. Resources Goal 

SDMS will have the resources necessary to execute its work. 

Objectives: 

6. Increase membership retention. 

7. Increase recruitment efforts. 

8. Double the SDMS membership by increasing 

membership annually by 10%. 

9. Increase and expand non-dues revenue. 

10. Increase the pool of volunteer leaders. 

11. Increase staff resources. 

C4. Products & Services Goal 

SDMS will be the major provider of continuing education in 

sonography. 

Objectives: 

12. Increase article submissions to JDMS. 

13. Increase the number and variety of CME activities. 

14. Reduce barriers for obtaining and reporting CME credits. 

Adopted by SDMS Board of Directors, April 16, 2004. 


V. 

Membership 

Highlights 

16,270 and still “growing” strong 

SDMS is not only the largest international association for sonographers in the world, but we are 

also the most diverse, representing sonographers in all specialty areas and in all practice settings. 

SDMS members can be found in 43 countries on six continents. 

SDMS welcomes it’s 

15,000 th member! 

Melissa Godwin, shown 

here with program director 

Marianne Peiffer (right), was 

a student at Keiser College in 

Florida when she joined SDMS. 

Additionally, Melissa was our 

1,500 th student member! 

Countries with SDMS members 

SDMS members are... 

Clinical sonographers, educators, research 

sonographers, radiologic technologists, sonography 

students, physicians, nurses, administrators, 

sonography-related corporations and businesses. 

Everyone is welcome to join SDMS. The SDMS 

bylaws define an inclusive seven membership 

categories: Active, Associate, Advanced Practice 

Sonographer, Fellow, Student, Supporting, and 

Corporate/Business/Institutional. The following 

chart shows the distribution of members in the 

seven membership categories: 

Fellow 

.28% 

CBI 

.25% 

Student 

10.47% 

Associate 

11.89% 

APS 

1.06% 

Supporting 

.39% 

Active 

75.67% 


SDMS continues to emphasize membership recruitment and retention. 

As with any association, for SDMS to carry out its goals and objectives 

for members, we rely upon the active involvement of the membership, 

whose collective goals are reflected in SDMS’ governance and 

decision-making processes. 2004 marks the fourth year of phenomenal 

growth for the SDMS. 

During the past several years, professional associations have 

experienced a downturn in membership enrollment, with the industry 

average of about 3% growth in membership. By continuing to present 

a wide array of attractive member benefits, products and services, and, 

by continuing to protect the interests of sonographers, SDMS once 

again grew by over 12% in 2004! SDMS is also pleased to enjoy 

excellent member loyalty – eight of every ten SDMS members renew 

their annual membership. And if members don’t renew, it’s typically 

because they have changed careers, retired or suffered career-ending 

musculoskeletal injuries. 

2004 Member Benefit Additions 

The impressive collection of benefits available to SDMS members 

continued to grow in 2004 and includes: 

Echelon.com – Online continuing education opportunities – 20% 

discount available exclusively to SDMS members. 

News Wave – The SDMS member newsletter was integrated into 

the JDMS. The frequency of its publication was increased from four 

to six times a year, thereby enhancing our ability to communicate 

with members more often about Society news and issues affecting 

sonography. 

Salary and Benefits Survey – Data gathered in this employee-based 

survey provides an unparalleled source of information for SDMS 

members regarding sonographer income and benefits. The results, 

which accurately characterize sonographer pay in many practice 

settings, are provided free to SDMS members. 

Educational Resources – Helpful “one-stop shopping” information 

was developed for and is now available to educators and students on 

the SDMS Website. 

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month poster – Complimentary 

copies of this promotional piece, created to help increase public 

awareness about medical ultrasound, were sent to all SDMS members 

with the JDMS. 

Distance Learning/Higher Education Resources – This useful 

information about programs offering distance education opportunities, 

including sonography degree programs, was developed for sonographers 

who are interested in pursuing additional education options. 

JDMS Available Through HighWire ® – SDMS members have 

the ability to search millions of academic and research articles in 

thousands of journals online, as well as continued enhancement of the 

electronic version of the JDMS. 

Continued Development of CME Opportunities – More continuing 

education activities are offered through the JDMS and the SDMS 

Website. In 2004, more than 35,000 CME credits were awarded to 

5500 members through the JDMS! 


Fellows 

The SDMS Fellow membership category recognizes individual 

members who have made outstanding contributions to the field 

of sonography and to the SDMS. A SDMS Fellow exhibits 

professional qualities and attributes by contributing to the 

advancement of sonography and sustained contribution to the 

SDMS. No more than two SDMS members may be elevated to 

“Fellow” status in a given year. 

David Adams, RDCS, FSDMS 

Beth Marie Anderhub, MEd, RDMS, FSDMS 


Joan Baker, MSR, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Jim Baun, BS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Louise Berlin, JD, RDMS, FSDMS 

Mimi Berman-Sandler, RDMS , RDCS, FSDMS 

Charlotte Brookshire-Quinn, RDMS, FSDMS 

Diane Burda, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 


Sharon Calton, MS, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Jacqueline Carlson, BA, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Catherine Carr-Hoefer, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 

Carolyn Coffin, MPH, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 

Marveen Craig, RDMS, FSDMS 

Reva Curry, PhD, RT(R), RDMS, FSDMS 

Dale Cyr, MBA, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Marie DeLange, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Julia Ann Drose, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM 

Terry DuBose, MS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM 

Kevin Evans, PhD, RT(R)(M)(BD), RDMS, RVS, FSDMS 

Kathy Gill, RT(R), RDMS, FSDMS 

Linda Gordon, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Sandra Hagen-Ansert, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 


Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Diane Kawamura, PhD, RT(R), RDMS, FSDMS 

Gale Kennedy, RT(R)(N), RDMS, RVT, CNMT, FSDMS 

Katherine Kisslo, RDCS, RCS, RCIS, FSDMS 

Joan Korfhagen, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Lori Koziol, RDMS, CRGS, FSDMS 

Kathryn Kuntz, BS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Linda London, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Kathleen McDiarmid, MEd, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Donald Milburn, RDCS, RVT ,FSDMS 


Cynthia Rapp, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Laura Schorzman, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Andrea Skelly, MPH, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Nancy Spangler, MPAS, RDMS, PA-C, FSDMS 

Jean Lea Spitz, MPH , RDMS, FSDMS 

Alan Waggoner, MHS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Larry D Waldroup, BS, RDMS, ROUB, FSDMS 

Roger Warner, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Kerry Weinberg, MPA, RT, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 


Advanced Practice Sonographer ® 

(APS) Members 

The Advanced Practice 

Sonographer ® (APS ® ) 

is a membership 

category designed to 

create opportunities 

for advancement and 

recognition of the 

membership within the 

ultrasound community, 

to educate the medical community and healthcare 

consumers, and to assist in the establishment 

of a career ladder for advancement within the 

profession of sonography. The following were 

APS ® members in 2004: 

Janet Adams, RT(N), RDMS, RVT, CNMT 

Theresa Adams, RDMS 

Dana Adcock, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Jerome Adell, BS, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Deborah Agler, RDCS 

Linda Akin, RT(R), RDMS 

Christine Allam-Ashe, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS 

Amelia Allen, RT(R), RDMS 

Lisa Allen, BS, RDMS, RVT 

Susan Alvarez, RT, RDMS 

Caroline Anderson, RDMS 

Julia Arthur, BS, RN, RDCS 

Steve Baier, BS, RDMS 

S. Kay Ballard-Taraschi, RDMS 

Cathleen Barry-Kiefer, RDMS 

Lori Bateman, RDMS 

Charlene Bates, RT, RDMS 

Constance Bennett, RDMS 

Carolyn Best, RT, RDMS 

Christine Bird, BS, RDMS, RVT 

Gretchen Blume, RDMS, RDCS 

Donna Bogdan, BS, RDMS, RDCS 

Cheryl Boodt, BS, RDMS 

Joyce Bouffard, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Kevin Brennan, RT, RDMS, RDCS 

Laurie Briare, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Ulrike Brucks, RDMS 

Vida Camp, RN, RDMS 

Karen Capaccioli, BA, RDMS 

Robert Cardona, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Nancy Carson, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Marilyn Catania, BA, RDMS, CNMT 

Diane Cervantez, RDMS 

Donna Chriss-Price, RT(R)(S), RDMS 

Darleen Cioffi-Ragan, BS, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Heidi Clark, RDMS 

Susan Clements, RDMS 

Debbie Corrao, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Michelle Cozzo, RDMS 

Paula Criss, RDMS 

Letitia Curran, BS, RT(N), RDMS, CNMT 

Peter Dannevik, RDMS 

Debbie Davis, RDCS, RCS, CCT, FASE 

Rogelio Deibe, BS, RDMS, RVT 

John Deyton III, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Julia Dmitrieva, MPH, RDMS, RVT 

Patricia Dubovec, RN, RDCS, RVT 

Kimberly Dunn, RDMS 

Sharon Durbin, MS, RN, RDMS 

Linda Emerson, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Sylvia Epstein, BA, RDMS 

Linda Evans, RDMS, RVT 

Sheila Foote, RT, RDMS 

Pamela Foy, BS, RDMS 

Anita Freeman, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Meredith Fresquez, BS, RDMS 

Elizabeth Gibson, MS, RDMS, RVT 

Sharon Gieringer, RDMS 

Kathy Gil, RDCS, RVT 

Dianne Glassford, RDMS 

Kathleen Greene, BS, RN, RDMS, RVT 

Jonathan Greer, RDCS 

Kathy Groesbeck-Moran, MS, RDCS, RCVT 

Lois Hart, RDMS, LPN 

Carolyn Hartfield, RDMS 

Dianna Heidinger, RT(M), RDMS 

Susan Hettinger, RDMS 

Jack Hildner, BS, RT(CT), RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Donald Hill, AS, RT(R), RDMS 

Jennifer Hill, RT(R), RDMS 

Cindy Hooper, BS, RDMS, RVT 

Linda Hosken, RDMS, RVT 

Deborah Hubacz, BA, RDMS 

Toni Hurton, BA, RDMS 

Jodie Johnson, RN, RDMS 

Teresa Johnson, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Anita Jorge, RDMS 

Elizabeth Juziuk, BS, RDCS 

Thomas Kavic, MD, RDMS, RDCS 

Jane Kelley, AS, RDMS 

Rod Khothsymuong, BS, RDMS 

Pamela Klein, RT(R), RDMS 

Darla Kolb, RDMS 


Lauren Kopecky, RDMS, RVT 

F. Elizabeth LaBombard, RDMS, RVT 

Zulfikarali Lalani, RDMS, RDCS 

Laura Lamb-Susca, RN, RVT 

Connie Lanham, BS, RDMS, RVT 

Barbara Lavoie, BS, RDMS 

John Leighton, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Karen Lennon, RDMS, RDCS 

Wayne Leonhardt, BA, RDMS, RVT 

Becky Levzow, BS, RDMS, RDCS 

Gerson Lichtenberg, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS 

Michael Lind, RT(S), RDMS 

Deborah Mangiacasale, RDCS 

Douglas Marcum, BA, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Deena Martin, RDMS, CNMT 

Vicki Mauk, RDMS 

Deborah McCollom, RT(R), RDMS 

Cyrethia McShane, BS, RDMS 

Dana Meads, RT(R), RVT 

Kimberly Michael, BS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Laurie Miller, BS, RDMS 

John Miniard, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Carol Chenoweth Mitchell, MA, RT(R), RDMS, 

RDCS, RVT 

Annitta Morehead, BA, RDCS 

Jayne Moser, BS, RT, RDMS 

Lawrence Myers, Jr, MBA, RDMS, RVT 

Ivy Myles, RDMS 

Janet O’Brien, BS, RDMS 

Patty Orin, BA, RDMS, RVT 

Richard Palma, RDCS 

Rosemarie Patterson, RDMS 

Lisa Pearson, AS, RDMS, RVT 

Lee Pendergast, RT, RDMS 

Susana Perese, BS, RVT 

Bruce Peters, BS, RT, RDMS 

Elfriede Peterson, RDCS, RVT, LPN 

James Phan, RDCS, RVT 

Marianne Pollaci, MS, RN, RDMS 

Rhonda Poore, RDMS, RDCS 

Shawn Popylisen, RDCS, RCS 

Joanne Porter, RDMS, RVT 

Max Poye, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Patricia Prince, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Jeff Raines, PhD, RVT 

Olga Rasmussen, RDMS 

Karen Rawls, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Faith Reimers, RN, RDMS, CNM 

Dawn Roberts, RDMS 

Ruth Roehrs, RDMS, RVT 

Diane Rohde, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Carol Rossa, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Nancy Rossley, RVT, LPN 

Denise Royer, RDMS 

Patricia Saliani, BS, RDMS 

Michael Sampson, RVT 

Mahesh Sanghvi, MS, RDMS, CNMT 

Maureen Sasaki, RT(R), RDMS, RVT 

Sharon Schneider, RT, RDMS 

Michael Schuveiller, RDMS 

Alan Schwartz, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Anita Sextro, RDCS, RCS 

Linda Shaw, RN, RDMS 

Karen Sheehan, RDMS 

Jerry Sherrow, BS, RN, RVT 

Gail Size, BS, RVT, RVS 

Marilyn Slutsky, RDMS, RVT 

Annette Smith, RDCS 

Sharon Smith, RT(R), RDMS 

Dawn Soenksen, RT(R), RDMS 

Kathryn Sorrell, BS, RVT 

Joanne Spindel, RDCS, RVT 

Bonnie Starr, RT, RDMS, RDCS 

Julie Steele, AS, RT(R), RDMS 

Flo Stein, PhD, RVT 

Diane Swain, RDCS, RCS, LPN 

Pamela Switalski, RDMS, RDCS 

Karen Szymanski, RT(R)(M), RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Barbara Thatcher, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Susan Thompson, RDMS, RVT 

Laurie Troxclair, RDMS, RVT 

Cheryl Turner, BS, RDMS 

Terrence Tye, MS, RDMS, RDCS 

Judy Veal, MA, RT(R), RDMS 

Jyotsna Vitale, RT(M), RDMS, RVT 

Jeanne Wafalosky, RDMS, RDCS 

Shirley Wagner-Sevy, RDCS, RVT, RVS, RCS 

Andy Wallace, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Tracy Wallace, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Elaine Warrick, RT(R)(N), RDMS, CNMT 

Neal Weiner, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Dorothy West, RDMS 

Charmin Whitsett, RDMS 

David Williams, MS, RDCS, RVT 

Michelle Wilson, RDMS, RDCS 

Renèe Winborn, RDMS, LPN 

Patricia Wright, MS, RDMS, RVT 

Kimberly Yezewski, RT(R), RDMS 

Patricia Zerbo, RT(R), RDMS 

Duoneng Zhang, MS, RDCS 


SDMS Website – 

Information When YOU Need It! 

The SDMS Website serves as an important mechanism for delivering 

information to SDMS members as well as the general public. In 2004, 

the SDMS Website had more than 625,000 visitors (1,700+ per day) 

- an 8% increase over 2003. 

The SDMS Website contains more than 2,000 web pages and is 

separated into public and member-only areas. Approximately 63% is 

accessible to the public and 37% restricted to current SDMS members. 

Some of the many additions to the SDMS Website in 2004 included: 

a) Member satisfaction survey; 

b) Online address/email change request 

- option to also send updated change 

information to applicable registries; 

c) Online form to volunteer for SDMS 

committee service; 

d) Online form to nominate members for 

elected positions and awards; 

e) Comprehensive salary and benefits survey 

completed online; 

f) Members only discounts for MedEd 

Interactive; 

g) Members only discounts for Echelon Ed; 

h) 10 Steps to Protecting Your Computer. 

The SDMS delivers a monthly email newsletter, SDMS Sound News, to 

more than 12,000 members who have provided their email address to 

SDMS. 

Available to SDMS members only, the 30 SDMS discussion forums 

offer SDMS members a place where they can share information, ask 

questions of colleagues, or discuss issues affecting their careers. 

Discussion Forums 

• Abdomen 

• Adult Echocardiography 

• Breast 

• Cardiovascular Principles & 

Instrumentation 

• Career/Job Issues 

• Educators 

• Fetal Echocardiography 

• Government Affairs 

• Musculoskeletal Injury 

• National Certification 

Examinations 

• Neurosonology 

• OB/GYN 

• Pediatric Echocardiography 

• Region 1 

• Region 2 

• Region 3 

• Region 4 

• Region 5 

• Region 6 

• Region 7 

• Reimbursement 

• Research 

• SDMS Educational Foundation 

• Students 

• Ultrasound Physics & 


• Ultrasound Practitioner 

• Vascular 

• Vascular Principles & 


• Veterinary Ultrasound 

• Tips on using the SDMS 

Discussion Forums 


Protecting Our Member’s Assets - 

Personal Information and Privacy 

Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography 

20th Anniversary 

The Journal of Diagnostic Medical 

Sonography (JDMS) is the premier member 

publication of the SDMS. 2004 was its 

20th-anniversary year. The JDMS featured 

six issues that were distributed not only to 

all SDMS members, but also to more than 

200 institutions! 

With more than 16,000 members, the SDMS stores a significant 

amount of member information. The SDMS goes to great lengths to 

protect member information and the privacy of its members. 

To ensure the safety and security of our staff and member information, 

the SDMS’ physical security includes a locked-door policy, security 

cameras, and monitored security alarm system. Our computer security 

program includes patch management, multiple antivirus software and 

comprehensive security audits. We also encourage members and staff 

to keep home computers up-to-date. In 2004, an article titled 10 Steps 

to Protecting Your Computer was prepared for SDMS members to help 

them be proactive in preventing attack by viruses and/or hackers. 

The SDMS has a comprehensive privacy policy (available on the 

SDMS website). We do not share email addresses with anyone and 

we limit official SDMS use of email addresses to critical member 

information such as the SDMS Sound News and special alerts. 

While the SDMS does allow advertisers to request member mailing 

addresses for single-use mailings of information of interest to our 

members (any member can “opt-out”), each mailing list request is 

scrutinized to ensure it is appropriate and does not conflict with the 

Society’s mission and/or policies. In addition, the mailing lists are 

“seeded” to identify unauthorized/inappropriate use of the mailing list. 

Each year the JDMS features peer-reviewed 

articles of the highest quality to provide 

continuing professional education for 

sonographers. It also serves as a forum for 

discussion of issues important to the development of the sonography 

profession. The 2004 JDMS featured articles like: 

• Sonographic Analysis: Normal Variability of Muscle and Tendon 

of the Shoulder in Response to Daily Activity and Exercise 

• Strategies for Eliminating the Sonographer Shortage: Recruitment, 

Retention, and Educational Perspectives 

• Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Structure in 

Hypertension and the Impact on Clinical Outcomes 

• Sonographic Screening Examinations in Pregnancy 

SDMS has launched an aggressive campaign to revitalize the journal 

operation. This revitalization included manuscript submission 

processes, advertising and marketing. Also included was a 

recommitment to present practical, useful articles and information that 

help sonographers in their daily practices. Because our membership 

has expressed a need for quality continuing education in an affordable 

manner, the JDMS responded by increasing the number of CME 

opportunities available in the journal. The 2003 JDMS presented eight 

CME tests, with 7.5 CME credits available, and 2004 brought 12 CME 

tests, with 11.5 CME credits available. 


JDMS Editor 

Jean Lea Spitz, MPH, RDMS 

JDMS Associate Editors 

S. Michelle Bierig, MPH, RDMS, RDCS 

Sandra Hagen-Ansert, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Editors Emeritus 

Julia Drose, BA, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 

Dale Cyr, MBA, RDMS 

Mimi Berman-Sandler, PhD, RDMS 

JDMS Editorial Board 

Beth Anderhub, MEd, RDMS, FSDMS 

Laurinda S. Andrist, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Jim Baun, BS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS 

Teresa Bieker, BS, RT, RDMS, RVT 

Diane Burda, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 


Catherine Carr-Hoefer, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, 

FSDMS 

Kimberly Chadwell, RDCS 

Carolyn Coffin, MPH, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 

Peter Cooperberg, MD, FRCPC 

Marveen Craig, RDMS, FSDMS 

Reva Curry, PhD, RT, RDMS, FSDMS 

Marie DeLange, BS, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS 

Rich Dempsey, RDMS, RVT 

Janice D. Dolk, MA, RT, RDMS 

Julia Drose, BA, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM 

Terry DuBose, MS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM 

Stephanie Ellingson, MS, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT 

Kevin Evans, PhD, RT(R)(M)(BD), RDMS, RVS, FSDMS 

Pam Foy, BS, RDMS 

Steven Goldstein, MD 

Kathleen Greene, BS, RN, RDMS, RVT 

Joyce Grube, MS, RT(R), RDMS 


Karen Having, MS Ed, RT, RDMS 

Steven Herrmann, MD, PhD 

Diane Kawamura, PhD, RT, RDMS, FSDMS, 

FAIUM 

Harry Khamis, PhD 

Lori A. Koziol, RDMS, CRGS, RT, FSDMS 

E.A. Lyons, MD, FRCP(C), FACR 

Kathleen McDiarmid, MEd, RDMS, RDCS, 


Daniel A. Merton, BS, RDMS 

Kathleen Murphy, MBA, RDMS, RT 

Marsha Neumeyer, BS, RVT, FSVU, FAIUM 


Priscilla Peters, BA, RDCS, FASE 

Cara Quedens-Case, BS, RDMS, RDCS 

Dana Salim, BSRT, RDCS 

Lorrie Scherer, RDMS, RDCS 

Terry Silver, MD, FACR 

Susan Raatz Stephenson, MEd, RDMS, RVT, 

RT(R)(CT) 

Jacqueline Van Horn, RT(R), RDMS 

Alan Waggoner, MHS, RDCS, FSDMS, FASE 

Kerry Weinberg, MPA, RT, RDMS, RDCS, 


Paula Woletz, MPH, RDMS, RDCS, FAIUM 

Paula Wyatt, RDCS, RVT 

Jim Zagzebski, PhD 

2004 SDMS Medal Level Sponsors 

Each year, sonography-related companies provide 

financial support to help the SDMS and the SDMS 

Educational Foundation fulfill their missions. SDMS 

gratefully acknowledges the following companies for 

their support: 

Platinum 

Sponsor 

Gold 

Sponsor 

Level 

Silver 

Sponsor 

Level 

Bronze 

Sponsor 

Level 

GE Healthcare 

Bracco Diagnostics, Inc 

Parker Laboratories, Inc 

Unetixs Vascular, Inc 

Biodex Medical Systems 

Biosound Esaote 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging 

Davies Publishing, Inc 

ESP Ultrasound 

Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc 

Imaging Associates 

Keith Mauney & Associates 

Pegasus Lectures 

Philips Medical Systems 

Sonora Medical Systems, Inc 

Toshiba America Medical Systems 

ALOKA 

ARDMS 

CIVCO Medical Instruments 

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute, Inc 

Heritage Medical Products, Inc 

Parks Medical Electronics 

SonoSite, Inc 

Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc 

The Burwin Institute 


VI. 

Education 

Highlights 

SDMS Annual Conference 

The SDMS Annual Conference has grown by more than 500% 

in the past 5 years. And the 2004 SDMS Annual Conference 

was the Society’s largest educational conference EVER! More 

than 1,600 participants from five countries participated in the 

conference. A total of 13,112 SDMS CME credits were awarded 

at the conference. 

It was a great conference. Even after many years of scanning, 

I learn new things every year. 

Keneta Harvey 

Excellent conference. I found it to be very informative and the 

networking was extremely beneficial! 

Cheryl Viars 

I enjoyed the conference very much. There were lots of 

interesting seminars and a variety of exhibitors in the 

exhibition hall. The networking opportunities were wonderful, 

and as a student it was exciting to meet the authors of 

some of our text books. Overall, I rate the conference as 

EXCELLENT! 

Adrielyn Watts 

Great Meeting, always is. 

Doug Jones 

It was great! I consider the Educators Tutorial to be a very 

worthwhile and valuable experience for me. Not only are the 

course selections awesome but the chance to network with 

other instructors is invaluable. Thank you for providing this 

opportunity. 

Fern Coon 

I thoroughly enjoyed my first conference. Every lecture that 

I attended was very informative. I will make every effort to 

attend the Annual Conference in the future. 

Melissa Kelley 


SDMS 2004 Award Recipients 

The following awards were presented at the SDMS 

2004 Annual Conference. 

FELLOW RECOGNITION 

Fellow Designation is the highest category of 

membership the Society can bestow on a member. 

2004 Fellows are: 

Sharon 

Calton, 

MS, RT(R), RDMS, 

RDCS, FSDMS 

SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATION COMPETITION 

First Place: Michelle Senteneri 

The Use of High Frequency Sonography to Determine the 

Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

SONOGRAPHER POSTER COMPETITION 

Donald T. 

Milburn, 

RDCS, RVT, FSDMS 

First Place: Karen Nussbaumer, RDMS, RVT 

Aneurysm Dilation Ratio (ADR) A New Technique in the 

Evaluation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms 

Patricia Mattos, RDMS, RVT 

Mary Lerret, RDMS, RDCS 

Has Intra-Operative Ultrasound for Major Liver Surgeries 

been Replaced by Technological Advances in Imaging? 

Second Place: Betty Glascock, RDCS, FASE 

Sandy Witt, RDCS, FASE 

High Resolution in Vivo Micro Imaging Echocardiography 

Provides New Insights for the Study of Transgenic Mice 

Models of Cardiovascular Disease 

Third Place: 

Daniel A. Merton, BS, RDMS 

Contrast-Enhanced Sonographic Detection of Sentinel 

Lymph Nodes and Lymphatic Channels 

STUDENT POSTER COMPETITION 

First Place: Mayo School of Health Sciences 

On Your Mark… Imaging Correlation of Breast Markers 

Second Place: Vanderbilt Medical Center 

Guided Procedures with 4D Sonography: Technical and 

Potential Clinical Applications 

Third Place: University of Nebraska 

Fryns Syndrome 

DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR AWARD 

Marie DeLange, BS, RT, RDMS, RDCS, 

FSDMS (pictured on left) 

KENNETH R. GOTTESFELD AWARD 

First Place: 

Lee Ann Pendergast, RDMS 

Michelle Wilson, BS, RDMS, RDCS 

Intussusception: A Sonographer’s Perspective 

Second Place: 

Amelia Margaret Anne Madsen, BA, BS 

Sonographic Methods of Evaluating Cervical Length: 

A Literature Review 

Third Place 

Karen Bubb, RT(R), RVT, RDMS 

Cindy Hooper, BSRT, RVT, RDMS 

The Role of Sonography in Breast Conservation 

Therapy Using Breast Brachytherapy 

JOAN P. BAKER PIONEER AWARD 

Rebecca Hall, PhD, RDMS, FSDMS (center) 

and Jean Lea Spitz, MPH, RDMS, FSDMS (left) 

W. FREDERICK SAMPLE STUDENT 

EXCELLENCE AWARD 

ORIGINAL RESEARCH 

First Place: Christy Ridge 

Sonographers and the Fight Against Nosocomial 

Infections: How are we Doing? 

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 

Oklahoma City, OK 

Second Place: Stephanie David 

Importance of Sonographers Reporting Work Related 

Musculoskeletal Injury: A Qualitative View 

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, 

Oklahoma City, OK 

LITERATURE REVIEW 

First Place: Amber Reas, BS, RT (R) (M) 

The Role of Ultrasound in Selective Laser 

Photocoagulation Therapy for the Treatment of Severe 

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome 

Seattle University, Seattle, WA 

Second Place: Kathryn A. Bowers, ASRT (R) 

Labral Tear with Associated Cysts of the Shoulder 

University of Nebraska Medical Center, 

Omaha, NE 


Continuing Medical Education (CME) 

SDMS CME Credit Accepted by Registries 

SDMS has established comprehensive guidelines and a review process 

for approval of continuing medical education (CME) programs. CME 

providers include study groups, local ultrasound societies, companies, 

and hospitals. CME providers submit applications for each educational 

program offered. The applications are reviewed by SDMS members 

who volunteer to help ensure the program content and quality meets 

the SDMS standards. If a CME activity is approved, the CME provider 

can issue CME certificates to participants in the CME activity. 

Continuing Medical Education approved by the SDMS is accepted by 

the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), 

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), and the American 

Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). 

Applications for SDMS CME Credit (2004) 

Total number of approved CME providers 943 

Total number of CME providers submitting applications in 2004 376 

Total number of CME activity applications approved in 2004 847 

Total SDMS CME credits for all approved applications 7054 

ACCME Accreditation 

The SDMS completed a comprehensive application and onsite review 

by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education 

(ACCME.) The ACCME’s Mission is the identification, development 

and promotion of standards for quality Continuing Medical Education 

(CME) utilized by physicians in their maintenance of competence and 

incorporation of new knowledge to improve quality medical care for 

patients and their communities. In April 2004, the SDMS became 

accredited by the ACCME to provide Category 1 CME credit toward 

the American Medical Association’s Physicians Recognition Award. 

SDMS awarded its first AMA Category 1 credits to physicians who 

attended the 2004 SDMS Annual Conference in New Orleans. 

In addition, SDMS has begun the review of all its publications and 

has recently approved five of the National Certification Examination 

Review books for AMA Category 1 CME credit for physicians. 

SDMS CME Tracker 

As an exclusive member benefit, SDMS members who complete 

SDMS continuing education programs and products (through SDMS 

activities such as JDMS, Annual Conference, video/DVD, etc.) 

receive free online scoring with instant results. The SDMS CME 

Tracker program provides SDMS members with a full-service CME 

program including an automated, individualized CME tracking log, 

and automatic reporting of completed CME activities to the ARDMS 

and CCI. More than 6,600 SDMS members took advantage of this free 

service in 2004. 

2004 SDMS CME Tracker Program 

CME activities completed 43,240 

Total CME credits recorded 52,902.75 

CME credits reported to ARDMS 47,883.50 

CME credits reported to CCI 881.75 

SDMS - A Leader in Sonography Education 

SDMS continues to be a leader in advocating quality in educational 

and credentialing programs. In addition to written comments, SDMS 

representatives testified at hearings before the American Registry of 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the U.S. Department 

of Education. 


SDMS Products 

In 2004, we were pleased to introduce several new items to our 

SDMS line of products, including: 

Pregnancy wheel: 

Designed with sonographers in mind. This 

durable 5-inch plastic pregnancy calculator 

wheel calculates EDD from the LMP, 

and includes average fetal development 

measurements for biparietal diameter, length 

and weight. Several leading experts in OB 

sonography were consulted in designing the 

SDMS pregnancy wheel. 

Sonographer “Pride” items 

featuring new “Safe & 

Sound” logo: 

denim shirt 

stainless steel travel mug 

t-shirt 

polo 

In addition, we have added 

six new titles to our SDMS 

video series – featuring SDMS 

Annual Conference lectures 

by some of the best speakers 

in sonography. The six new 

titles from the 2003 Annual 

Conference are, for the first 

time, available on DVD. 

• Carotid Imaging: Basics and Beyond, 

Cindy A. Owen, RT, RDMS, RVT 

• Doppler for Dummies, Donald T. Milburn, RDCS, RVT 

• Pediatric Neurosonography: Solving Problems, 

Brian D. Coley, MD 

• Renal Physiology - What’s Behind Those Waveforms?, 

William B. Schroedter, BS, RVT, FSVU 

• STAT Echocardiography, Marti McCulloch, BS, RDCS, FASE 

• Diagnosing Focal Liver Masses with Contrast Ultrasound, 

Peter Burns, PhD 

SDMS also began offering the following books to its members 

at a discount: 

Sonographer “Pride” items 

featuring “United We Scan” logo: 

Fashion watch 

Techniques in Noninvasive 

Vascular Diagnosis 

Robert J Daigle BA, RVT, FSVU 

Physiologic Testing 

Techniques and Interpretation 

Robert P. Scissons, RVT 


VII. 

Advocacy 

Highlights 

2004 was a busy year for legislative and regulatory activities for the SDMS. The Society 

reaffirmed its commitment to sonographer credentialing and/or lab accreditation as the 

appropriate quality control mechanisms to ensure patient safety. The “game plan” for the 

association’s legislative and regulatory agenda was set with the adoption of the Society’s 

Strategic Plan. Key items included increasing the association’s political influence, increasing 

alliances with physician groups, increasing the recognition of sonography among insurers and 

policymakers, and positioning SDMS as the preferred information source for policymakers on 

issues affecting the sonography profession. 

The SDMS Government Relations Committee (GRC) was busy in its pursuit of these objectives 

throughout the year. The GRC worked on state level issues in the following states: Massachusetts, 

Missouri, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, New York and Iowa. 

The SDMS began utilization of an online system which will help identify and monitor regulatory 

and legislative activity that impact sonography so that SDMS can address issues in a timely 

manner. 

It was also a hallmark year with the formation of a coalition of ultrasound associations dedicated 

to the pursuit of required sonographer credentialing and/or lab accreditation for reimbursement 

of Medicare ultrasound services. The goal for the Coalition for Quality in Ultrasound (CQU) 

is to expand the number of states with requirements in place for sonographer credentialing/lab 

accreditation to 40 within three years. 

The CQU is the “first-of-its-kind” alliance of ultrasound societies and organizations that is 

committed to the implementation of nationwide sonographer credentialing and accreditation. 

Member organizations of the CQU include*: 

• American College of Radiology 

• American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 

• American Registry of Diagnostic Medical 

Sonography 

• American Society of Echocardiography 

• American Society of Neuroimaging 

• Cardiovascular Credentialing International 

• Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of 

Echocardiography Laboratories 

• Intersocietal Commission for the 

Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories 

• Joint Review Commission on Education in 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography 

• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography 

• Society of Interventional Radiology 

• Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology 

• Society for Vascular Surgeons 

• Society for Vascular Ultrasound 

* as of 12/31/2004 


The SDMS has continued its involvement in the National Aneurysm Alliance. This coalition 

involves working with other ultrasound/physician societies, as well as commercial vendors, to 

gain Medicare reimbursement for screening aortic ultrasounds. 

Pictured left to right: Joan P. Baker, Chair, SDMS WRMSD Conference; John Henshaw, OSHA Administrator; 

Donald F. Haydon, SDMS Executive Director 

SDMS Forges Alliance with OSHA to Reduce and Prevent 

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders 

In October 2004, the SDMS was named as an “Alliance Partner” for the Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA). This partnership puts SDMS in a position to move forward 

its sonographer support initiative on reducing work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Plans 

laid in 2004 for highlighting this new alliance with OSHA will be launched at the 2005 Annual 

Conference in Dallas. 


VIII. 

Policy 

Highlights 

As part of SDMS’ goal to be influential regarding issues of legislation, regulation, public 

awareness and career enhancement, the development of policy statements serves as a way 

of communicating the Society’s position on important issues. Two SDMS policy statements 

underwent significant revisions in 2004. 

The first was the SDMS Code of Ethics, which as been renamed “The Code of Ethics for the 

Profession of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.” The revised policy includes a preamble, 

objectives and three operating principles. This statement is available on the SDMS website at: 

http://www.sdms.org/about/codeofethics.asp 

The second major policy revision was the “Non-Diagnostic Use of Ultrasound.” This revision was 

based on a year-long review of all related updates including the most recent information from the 

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This statement is available on the SDMS Website at: 

http://www.sdms.org/positions/nondiagnostic.asp 

IX. 

Public 

Awareness 

Highlights 

The SDMS continues its efforts to increase public awareness of the attributes of quality medical 

ultrasound services. 

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month 

(MUAM) is held annually in October to 

increase the public’s knowledge about 

medical ultrasound. Six sonographyrelated 

organizations participate in 

promoting MUAM. The 2004 SDMS 

MUAM design, Sound Insight, 

was created to convey the multiple 

applications of diagnostic medical 

ultrasound and the diagnostic “insight” 

achieved by its use. 

To help “spread the word,” a 

complimentary “Sound Insight” poster 

was provided to all SDMS members in 

both the July/August and September/ 

October 2004 issues of the JDMS. This 

was made possible through a sponsorship 

by Bracco Diagnostics. 


The SDMS’ total operational budget for 2004 was $2,467,532 (an increase of 1% from 2003). 

This included the addition of three new staff positions to allow SDMS to continue to provide 

quality benefits to a growing number of members. With a total of 16 staff members, the SDMS 

provides its services and benefits at a far lower staff-to-member ratio than most comparable 

associations. 

With the success in each of the SDMS’ operational areas, 2004 was another sound financial year 

for SDMS. The volunteer/staff partnership helps ensure that the SDMS will be a financially 

stable organization into the future. Each year, the SDMS financial records are also audited by an Financial 

X. 

independent auditing firm. 

Highlights 

The following charts show the distribution of SDMS revenue and expenditures in 2004. 

Revenue 

(2004) 

Expenses 

(2004) 


XI. 

Summary 

2004 will be remembered as yet another successful year for the Society of Diagnostic Medical 

Sonography and its members. The Society’s future focus was refined through a new strategic 

plan, membership continued to grow, and SDMS continues to be a recognized leader in the field 

of sonography. 

Each SDMS member should be proud of the work accomplished by the Society on their behalf. 

Members should also challenge themselves to encourage their coworkers to join the SDMS and 

to become actively involved in the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in 2005! 

28 SDMS Annual Report 2004 

2745 N Dallas Pkwy, Suite 350 

Plano, TX 75093-8730 

(214) 473-8057 (800) 229-9506 

www.sdms.org

SDMS Annual Report 2004 - Society of Diagnostic Medical ...

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