Mitzi Roberts, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS
SDMS & SDMS Foundation President
Mitzi Roberts, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS, is president of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) and SDMS Foundation. Honored as an SDMS Fellow in 2020 and SDMS Distinguished Educator in 2018, Mitzi has demonstrated leadership for more than 30 years through roles in educational administration, education, and in clinical work in sonography and radiology. She has served as associate dean of the Division of Allied Health, director of Institutional Effectiveness, and program chair of diagnostic medical sonography at Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis, Tennessee. Currently, she is a perinatal staff sonographer at Mid-South Maternal Fetal Medicine, also in Memphis, and an adjunct professor for higher education institutions in Mississippi and Tennessee. Mitzi has a doctorate in educational leadership-higher education, a master’s degree in leadership and policy studies, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, an associate degree in pre-radiologic technology, and certificates in diagnostic medical sonography and medical radiology.
Consider personal motivation in educational goals
Mitzi’s educational achievements are vast but may not be the right path for everyone. “I would encourage students to ask why they want to pursue additional academic degrees. For me, it was a personal goal. I was the first in my family to obtain undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Further education can foster personal growth, as well as opportunities to grow in a professional field or extension of that field. For me, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management was useful in my roles as a manager and administrator. I chose a concentration in leadership and policy studies for my master’s degree because I saw this as helpful in both education and healthcare. I obtained a doctorate at the encouragement of the educational institution where I was teaching,” she says.
A goal, career satisfaction, and making an impact
Mitzi earned her academic degrees from 1991 (associate degree from Northwest Mississippi Community College) to 2014 (doctorate from Union University) but continued learning remains her goal. She has found working in a clinical setting and working with students the most satisfying aspects of her career. “Patient care has always been a top priority for me. I enjoy helping others, whether it be patients or students,” she says. She believes her greatest impact has come through teaching. “Former sonography students keep in touch. It is an honor and a privilege to watch them grow and achieve great things.”
Integrative approach fosters harmony, giving
In addition to clinical career, educational administration and teaching, and vast sonography-related voluntarism, Mitzi has engaged in extensive community service. This might seem to topple the work-life balance away from family – but not for Mitzi. “I involve my children in many of my volunteer activities,” she explains. “I wanted them to have a broad understanding of others’ needs. The work-life balance has been pretty good over the years. I have a strong desire to do the best I can. Everyone has to choose the opportunities that are most meaningful to them personally.”
Best icebreaker
Mitzi enjoys talking about work in healthcare teams composed of multiple types of professions.
Work is done, what are you doing?
Look for the iconic “Gone fishin’” sign on Mitzi’s door. That’s where you’ll find her.
Inspiration
“Faith and prayer first, and I have a set of devotionals that I turn to for specific needs,” she says. A close group of friends and a motivational app she uses daily also support and inspire her.
Mitzi Roberts, EdD, RDMS, RDCS, RT(R), FSDMS “At-a-Glance”
Education
- Doctorate in education-educational leadership, with specialization in higher education, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
- Master’s degree in leadership and policy studies, University of Memphis (Tennessee)
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
- Certificate in diagnostic medical sonography, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Certificate in medical radiology, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology
- Associate degree, Northwest Mississippi Community College
Certifications
From the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Abdomen
- OB/GYN
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
- Breast
- Neurosonography
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
- Fetal echocardiography
- Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
From the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists(ARRT)
- Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT(R))
Research/Publications
- Roberts M, George A. National Certification Exam Review-Pediatric Sonography. 2016.
- Owen C, Roberts M. Arterial Vascular Hemodynamics. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2007;23(3):129-140.
- Coffin C, Roberts M, Vaughn G, Walker V. The Sonography Clinical Assessment Notebook. 1999.
- Authored numerous textbook chapters
Awards
- SDMS Fellow (2020)
- Distinguished Alumni, Baptist College of Health Sciences (2019)
- SDMS Distinguished Educator Award (2018)
- Presidential Award, Baptist College of Health Sciences (2015)
- Kenneth R. Gottesfeld Award for Outstanding Article Contribution (2007)
- Ruby Hibbard Humphreys Fellowship Award, Baptist College of Health Sciences (2010-2012)
- Distinguished Faculty Award, Baptist College of Health Sciences (2005)
Professional Roles
- Perinatal staff sonographer, Mid-South Maternal Fetal Medicine (2022-Present)
- Staff sonographer, Memphis Obstetrics & Gynecological Association-Germantown (2021-2022)
- Project consultant, Baptist Health Sciences University (2019-Present)
- Technology integrator, Northpoint Christian (2019-2021)
- Adjunct professor for higher education institutions in Mississippi and Tennessee (2013-Present)
Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences (as of August 2020, Baptist Health Sciences University)
- Associate dean, Division of Allied Health (2017-2019)
- Director of institutional effectiveness (2013-2017)
- Program chair of diagnostic medical sonography, assistant professor, clinical coordinator (1998-2013)
Baptist Memorial Hospital East/Memphis
- Staff sonographer-perinatal center (1996-1999)
- Staff medical sonographer IV-radiology (1994-1996)
Baptist Memorial Hospital DeSoto
- Staff radiological technologist III (1993-1994)
Voluntarism for the SDMS and/or SDMS Foundation
Task Forces, Committees, and Work Groups
- Emerging Leaders Program (2020-Present)
- Finance Committee (2017-Present)
- Nominating Committee (2012-2014, 2021-Present)
- Governance Committee (2017-Present)
- Executive Committee (2017-2021)
- Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography reviewer (2016, 2017, 2019)
- Advocacy (2017-2019)
- CME Reviewer/CME Committee (2013-2015, 2017-Present)
- Ethics Committee (2015-2017)
- Conference Management Committee (2015-2017)
- Chair, Advanced Practice Committee (2013-2015)
Executive, Director, Board Liaison, and Board Representative Roles
- SDMS and SDMS Foundation President (2023-2025)
- SDMS and SDMS Foundation President-Elect (2021-2023)
- SDMS and SDMS Foundation Treasurer (2017-2021)
- SDMS and SDMS Foundation Board Liaison to Conference Management Committee (2017-2019)
- SDMS and SDMS Foundation At-Large Director (2015-2017)
Other Voluntarism in the Sonography Community
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
- Accreditation site visitor chair/team member (2004-Present)
- JRC-DMS special investigator
- Standards Revision Committee
- Development of self-study, organizing, and conducting on-site visits (1998-2013)
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
- Fetal Echo Stand Setting Committee (2011)
- National examination writer
- Neurosonography (2011)
- Breast (2010, 2011, 2014)
- Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (2010)
- Abdomen (2009, 2014)
- Fetal Echocardiography (2008)
Other
- Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins textbook reviewer (2009-2011)
- Sonography consultant
- Memphis zoo (2011-2013)
- Regis University