SDMS Call for Proposals – Accepting Submissions Year-Round
All presentations must be 50 minutes in length.
Each submitted proposal is carefully reviewed and will be considered by the SDMS Events Management Committee (EMC). Not all submitted proposals will be selected for an SDMS event. Selected course proposal(s) will be notified 90 days after the listed submission review deadline.
2027 CME Weekend
Held in the spring, CME Weekend is a travel-free, online-only learning experience that enables sonographers, sonography students, and physicians from around the world to network and learn. In addition to earning SDMS CME credits, the educational program provides attendees with the opportunity to gain insights into sonographic innovations and advancements and learn from the real-world experience of subject matter experts.
Topics Requested:
Advances in Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- AI integration
- Emerging ultrasound technologies
- Workflow automation
- Quantification tools
- Image optimization
Compelling Case Studies / Rare and Unusual Pathology Findings (All Specialties)
- Abdominal
- Adult Echo
- Breast
- Fetal Echo
- Musculoskeletal
- OB/GYN
- Pediatric
- Vascular
Ergonomics, Wellness, and Injury Prevention for Sonographers
- Ergonomic scanning and injury prevention
- Physical wellness, mobility, and musculoskeletal health
- Stress management and resilience
- Interactive wellness techniques, such as chair yoga, stretching, breathwork, and guided movement
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff);
- Record presentation on the date assigned by the SDMS staff; and
- Answer questions from attendees while session is live streaming.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of the proposal.
- Complimentary CME Weekend registration;
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation;
- $100 Stipend OR SDMS Membership (value $175); and
- 50% discount on registration fees for the SDMS Annual Conference.
Submission Review Deadline for 2027 SDMS CME Weekend – October 1, 2026
Scheduled throughout the year with a focus on specialty specific content
Offered throughout the year, the SDMS Virtual Seminars focus on specialty specific content. Presented virtually, attendees have the opportunity to attend sessions, chat with attendees and speakers, and earn SDMS CME credits from the comfort of their own home or office.
Topics Requested:
Abdominal
- Hernias
- Liver Doppler
- Pancreatic pathology
- Incidental findings
Adult Echo
- ASE guideline updates, best practices, and evolving standards
- Challenging measurements
- Strain imaging
- Structural heart disease
- Valve pathology
- Valvular disease pitfalls
Breast
- Dense breast screening
- BI-RADS updates
- Supplemental screening
- Contrast-enhanced breast imaging
Fetal Echo
- Conotruncal abnormalities
- Complex congenital heart disease (CHD)
- Twin complications
- Postnatal correlation
OB/GYN
- Endometriosis
- Adnexal masses
- Fertility imaging
- Rare gynecologic pathology
Vascular
- Venous insufficiency
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Dialysis access
- Carotid pitfalls
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff);
- Record presentation on the date assigned by the SDMS staff; and
- Answer questions from seminar attendees while session is live streaming.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of the proposal.
- Complimentary virtual seminar registration;
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation;
- $100 Stipend OR SDMS Membership (value $175); and
- 50% discount on registration fees for the SDMS Annual Conference.
Submission Review Deadline for 2027 SDMS Virtual Seminars – October 1, 2026
Scheduled throughout the year on current topics of interest
The SDMS Knowledge Series are live webinars led by sonography experts on current topics of interest. Held throughout the year, they provide expert commentary and updates that enable attendees to expand their knowledge and earn SDMS CME credits.
Topics Requested:
- Advanced Practice Sonography, Leadership, and Career Development
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sonography
- Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Applications
- Emerging and Niche Ultrasound Applications
- Veterinary ultrasound
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) protocols in emergency settings
- Forensic ultrasound and post-mortem imaging
- Sports medicine applications
- Medical Malpractice, Documentation, and Risk Management
- Mentorship, Burnout Prevention, and Workforce Retention
- Sonographer Wellness, Ergonomics, and Injury Prevention
- Ultrasound Correlation with CT, MRI, Surgical Findings, and Other Modalities
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by SDMS staff);
- Give a live presentation on the date assigned by the SDMS staff; and
- Answer questions from attendees upon completion of the presentation.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of the proposal.
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation;
- $100 Stipend OR SDMS Membership (value $175); and
- 50% discount on registration fees for the SDMS Annual Conference.
2027 SDMS Annual Conference: October 7 – October 9, 2027 | New Orleans, LA
The SDMS Annual Conference is designed for sonographers, sonography students, and physicians who use sonography in their practice. Held in the fall, the SDMS Annual Conference fosters connections and learning and includes multiple opportunities to network and visit the exhibit hall. Attendees will earn SDMS CME credits while learning about new sonographic techniques, diagnostic accuracy, enhancements of sonographic instrumentation, and practice management strategies.
To be considered, you must submit at least two (2) course proposals (in one or more specialties).
Topics Requested:
SDMS is particularly interested in sessions that bring fresh perspectives and practical value to attendees. Competitive proposals often highlight new and emerging trends, evolving technologies, evidence-based practice updates, compelling case studies, rare or unusual pathology findings, innovative clinical applications, and experiences that advance patient care and professional practice. Presentation proposals should align with one of the dedicated specialty education tracks below:
- Abdominal
- Adult Echo
- Breast
- Educators
- Fetal Echo
- Musculoskeletal
- OB/GYN
- Pediatric
- Vascular
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff);
- Deliver a live presentation on the conference date assigned by the EMC; and
- Answer questions from conference attendees upon completion of the presentation.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of your proposal.
- Complimentary full conference registration;
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation; and
- Reimbursement for eligible travel expenses, as detailed in the speaker agreement.
Submission Review Deadline for the 2027 SDMS Annual Conference – October 1, 2026
2027 SDMS Annual Conference: October 7 – October 9, 2027 | New Orleans, LA
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.
Candidate Eligibility
- A current SDMS member in good standing;
- A recognized luminary within the profession who has previously spoken at national or international conferences;
- Credentialed by a national sonography certification organization that is recognized by the SDMS Board of Directors (i.e., currently ARDMS, CCI); and
- Willing to serve as both an SDMS Annual Conference plenary session lecturer and an SDMS Annual Conference track speaker.
Candidate Application Requirements
- Professional career documentation, to include CV and awards/recognition received in the last five (5) years;
- Detailed outline of the proposed lecture. (The Event Management Committee may pre-determine a topic related to sonographer professionalism or the sonography profession in general);
- One (1) to two (2) paragraphs describing the positive influence the candidate has had on the sonography community; and
- One (1) letter of recommendation from a colleague involved with the sonography community in some capacity.
Candidate Responsibilities (once nomination is accepted)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length, focused on sonographer professionalism or the sonography profession in general (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff).
Speaker Recognition/Honorarium
The selected Stephen McLaughlin lecturer shall receive:
- An engraved plaque;
- Two complimentary, transferable tickets to the SDMS & SDMS Foundation Awards Event held at the SDMS Annual Conference;
- Recognition at the SDMS Annual Conference and in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS), SDMS press release, and SDMS social media release;
- Complimentary full conference registration;
- Complimentary hotel accommodations; and
- Travel reimbursement.
Submission Review Deadline for the 2027 Stephen McLaughlin Memorial Lectureship – October 1, 2026