Sharlette Anderson, MHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS
SDMS & SDMS Foundation ​Director
Sharlette Anderson, MHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS, was elected to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) and SDMS Foundation Board of Directors in 2022. She was also honored as an SDMS Fellow in 2022. In 2019, Sharlette was selected as the SDMS Distinguished Educator. For 20 years, Sharlette has developed and delivered instruction in many sonography specialties, including cardiac, vascular, abdomen, and OB/GYN ultrasound, as well as cross-sectional anatomy and research methodology. From 2007 to 2022, she kept the University of Missouri-Columbia in the spotlight of student achievement through her avid promotion and mentoring of students and serving as a co-investigator in research. In 2022, Sharlette moved to a new role as a sonography content specialist for Touch of Life Technologies.
Setting the bar and providing a safety net
Sharlette has served as faculty advisor or primary investigator for about 125 student research projects. Her mentoring efforts have produced 24 first and second place winners of the W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Award and SDMS poster competitions since 2010. How does she do it? “I push,” she laughs. “I set the bar high. I let them know, ‘I am here to boost you over that bar, to help and support you. I am not setting you up to fail.’” Whether or not students choose to become published journal authors, learning the discipline of conducting and publishing research provides value by boosting their confidence and letting them see another aspect of their profession, Sharlette says.
Father teaches a love of storytelling
Sharlette believes the best sonographers take time to listen to the stories of their patients. The love and value of storytelling is something Sharlette learned from her beloved father, who died from COVID-19 in August 2021. “Taking time to listen to the patient’s story is as important as doing a good exam,” she says. “Not listening has negative effects for the patient and healthcare.” Sharlette also uses storytelling and pictures of the many different types of patients she has helped in her public speaking engagements and presentations, imagery that promotes a more developed attitude of caring.
Know your strengths, be open to new directions
In 20 years as a sonography educator, Sharlette has exhibited skills in connecting with students, tenacity for excellence, tireless energy, and curiosity. This devotion has frequently meant sacrificing personal time but that’s changing. In 2022, Sharlette accepted a role as a content specialist in sonography for Touch of Life Technologies, where she will build high-quality, highly visual cases to teach sonography students not just anatomy, physiology and all the clinical knowledge they need but, quite importantly, the critical thinking/analytical skills they must employ at each step of an exam to be successful. She thinks of 2022 as her year to step into the sunshine, and relishes having more time for other interests.
Best icebreaker
A wide range of topics will engage Sharlette’s attention – everything from ultrasound “war stories” to sharing your passion for horses, kids, good books, and cats.
Work is done, what are you doing?
She’s eager to find out because, for nearly 20 years, work “has never been done.” She plans to devote her new downtime to enjoying her grandchildren, the outdoors, and animals of many kinds.
Inspiration
There are several individuals who have inspired Sharlette along her path: Joan P. Baker, Jean Lea Spitz, Kari Boyce, PhD, Joy Guthrie, PhD, and Charlotte Henningsen. She finds wisdom in a quote from Carl Bruehner1: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Sharlette Anderson, MHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, FSDMS “At-a-Glance”
Education
- Post-graduate Educational Specialist degree with a focus in online teaching (in progress), University of Missouri
- Master’s degree in health sciences-diagnostic medical ultrasound, University of Missouri-Columbia
- Bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology-sonography, University of Oklahoma
Certifications
From the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
Research/Publications/Webinars
- Cain DE, Anderson SD. Sonographic Evaluation of a Unique Meso-Rex Shunt: A Case Study. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2020;36(6):572
- Michael K, Anderson S, Bagley J, Ellingson S, Sayles H, White R, Custer T. Introducing Mindful Pause Practice in Sonography Education: A Strategy to Improve Classroom Presence. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2020;36(4):336-343.
- Partridge KA, Anderson SD. Sonographic Detection of Pseudoaneurysm From Ankle Sprain Injury. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2019;35(4):335-340.
- Martin A, Anderson S. Combined Embryonal Cell Carcinoma and Granulomatous Orchitis of the Testis. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2019;35(5):413-417.
- Operle M, Anderson S. Premature Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus in an Otherwise Healthy Fetus. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2019;35(3):235-239.
- Dickey K, Anderson S. Sonographic Detection and Evaluation of a Thrombosis in a Patient with Recent Pancreas Transplant. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2019;35(3):212-218.
- Paul C., Anderson S. The Correlation Between Intussusceptions and Celiac Disease. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2019;35(5):419-424.
- Waskey A, Anderson S. Sonographic Detection of a Urinoma/Biloma Combination. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2019;35(6):492-497.
- Clem D, Anderson S., Donaldson J, Hdeib M. An Exploratory Study of Spatial Ability and Student Achievement in Sonography. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2010;26(4):163-170.
Awards
- Fellow, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (2022)
- SDMS Distinguished Educator Award (2019)
- School of Health Professions Faculty Early Career Award (2019)
Professional Roles
Content specialist-sonography, Touch of Life Technologies (2022-Present)
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri (2007-2022)
- Associate clinical professor/clinical coordinator, diagnostic medical sonography program (2016-2022)
- Assistant clinical professor/clinical coordinator, diagnostic medical sonography program (2011-2016)
- Clinical coordinator/instructor, diagnostic medical sonography program (2007-2011)
PRN Sonographer, SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, Jefferson City, Missouri (2015-Present)
Sonography program director, American Institute of Medical Technology, Tulsa, Oklahoma (2003-2007)
Sonographer, Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Southwester Regional Medical Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1997-2005)
Sonographer, Tahlequah City Hospital, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (1992-1997)
Sonographer, Starmed Staffing, Grand Forks, North Dakota (1992)
Sonographer, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas (1991-1992)
Sonographer, Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Lawton, Oklahoma (1989-1991)
Voluntarism for the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) and/or SDMS Foundation
Task Forces, Committees, and Work Groups
- Educational/Student Track Lead, SDMS Conference Management Committee (2021-Present)
- Membership Awards & Recognition Committee (2019-2021)
- Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS) (Editorial Board, 2016-Present; Reviewer, 2009-Present))
- Micro-Volunteer, SDMS Continuing Medical Education (CME) Activity Reviewer (2013-Present)
- Education Committee (2013-2016)
- Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee (2009-2013)
Other Voluntarism in the Sonography Community
Selected Service Roles for the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
Selected Service Roles for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
- Compliance Hearing Panel (2019-Present)
- Lead Subject Matter Expert, Abdomen Skills App Development Team (2019)
- ARDMS Assessment Committee, Abdominal Specialty Exam (Chair, 2016-2018; Member, 2015-Present)
- ARDMS Ambassador (2015-2019)
- ARDMS Exam Development Task Force, Abdominal Specialty Exam (Chair, 2014-2015; Member, 2012-2015)
- Item Development Workshop (2010)