2025 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.
2025 Recipient:
Kathryn Wampler, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT
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.
2025 Recipient:
Jennifer Bagley, MPH, RDMS, RVT, FAIUM, FSDMS
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.
2025 Recipient:
Joy Guthrie, PhD, ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RPhS, FSDMS, FASE
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.
2025 Fellow Recipients:
Tanya Nolan, EdD, RT(R)(ARRT), RDMS, FSDMS
Amy Wilson, MS, RT(R), RDMS (AB, OB, BR), RVT(VT), 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:
Buwen Yao, PhD, MBBS
Luming Yang, OTD
Kevin D. Evans, PhD, RDMS, RVS, FSDMS, FAIUM
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM
Doppler Sonography Evaluation of Median Nerve Intraneural Blood Flow: A Systematic Review
2nd Place:
Madeline R. Parga, BS
Kevin D. Evans, PhD, RDMS, RVS, FSDMS, FAIUM
Carolyn M. Sommerich, PhD, CPE, FHFES
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM
Sonographers and Vascular Technologists Offer Potential Solutions to Promote the Health and Well-being of Their Workforce
2025 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:
Kathryn Wampler, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT
Lea Lambing, MHPTT, RT(R), RDMS, RVT
Jessica Umbra, MHPTT, ACS, RDCS, RVT
Kimberly Michael, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
A Framework for Interprofessional Ergonomic Collaboration in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Education
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:
Elise Hodges, MS, RDCS, RDMS (OB)
Jenny Gilmore, MS, RDCS, RDMS (OB, ABD), RVT
Internalization of External Carotid Artery with Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion: A Case Study
2nd Place:
Dee Sharrock, MHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
Janell Stormo, MHS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
Alice Townsend, MBA, RDMS, RVT
Not Always Right: A Rare Case of Left Ovarian Vein Thrombosis Postpartum
Student Poster
1st Place:
Hannah Lin
Avery Arena
Tesa Malone
Elise Stegner
The Johns Hopkins Schools of Medical Imaging
Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS): A Case Study
2nd Place:
Gretta Triplett
University of Missouri
Sonographic Detection of an Intramuscular Myxoma: Case Report
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:
Maegan Nicole Cowans
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing and Ultrasound Measurement of Fetal Subcutaneous Fat
2nd Place:
Chesna Gordon
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
The Accuracy of Ocular Sonography in the Detection and Diagnosis of Retinal Detachment
Original Research
1st Place:
Elise Hodges
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
Effects of Limb Dominance and Subcutaneous Fat Thickness on Muscle Echo Intensity Measured by Ultrasonography
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.
2025 Cohort Grant Recipient:
Candace Summerskill
Owens Community College
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).
2025 Recipients:
Sonography Student Scholarship Program
Quentin Remley
Adult Echocardiography, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Madelyn DeOrian
Cardiac Ultrasound Technology, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
Sonography Advanced Degree Scholarship Program
Amanda Howell, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RPhS
Master’s Degree in Administration/Health Sciences,
University of Mississippi Medical Center
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.
2025 Recipients:
Emily Apolinaro
Karen Klimas, RDMS, RT(R)
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Evans Undergraduate Research Grant Program
The Evans Undergraduate Research Grant Program, made possible by a generous donation by Dr. Kevin and Kathy Evans, provides support for undergraduate projects led by student researchers currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in sonography or a related discipline.
2025 Recipient:
Emily Chepkurui
Kenya Medical Training College, Kisumu Campus
Investigating the Impact of Placenta Previa on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes at Litein Mission Hospital