2026 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.
2026 Recipient:
Traci Fox, EdD, RT(R)(ARRT), RDMS, RVT, FSVU
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.
2026 Recipient:
Pamela Foy, MS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM
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 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.
2026 Recipients:
Kevin D. Evans, PhD, RDMS, RVS, FSDMS, FAIUM
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM
Carolyn M. Sommerich, PhD, CPE, FHFES
SDMS Fellow
The SDMS Fellow Membership category recognizes the lifetime achievement of individual members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of sonography and to SDMS. An SDMS Fellow exhibits outstanding professional accomplishments as well as continued membership and sustained engagement in SDMS activities.
2026 Fellow Recipient:
Kathryn Wampler, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, 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:
Sandy C. Takata, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM
Establishing a Sonography Protocol for Evaluation of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon in the Hand
2nd Place:
MacKay Whalen, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
Jennifer E. Bagley, MPH, RDMS, RVT, FAIUM, FSDMS
Jonathan D. Baldwin, PhD, CNMT, RT (CT)
Comparing Abdominal and Retroperitoneal Organ Sonographic Measurements to Postdissection Measurements: A Pilot Study
2026 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, FSDMS
Christopher Smith, MD
Jessica Umbra, MHPTT, ACS, RDCS, RVT
Kimberly Michael, EdD, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
Do Sonography Students Value Interprofessional Education? Perceptions Following an IPE Activity
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:
April Elizabeth Frey, MLIS, RDMS, RVT
Breaking Bad News: Management of Unexpected Findings by Obstetric Sonographers
2nd Place:
Rachel Tassoni, BS, RDMS, RVT
Atara Korik, BFA, RDMS, RVT
Dana Lagrotteria, RDMS, RVT, RT (R) (ARRT)
When the Spleen Steals the Show: Splenic Artery Steal Syndrome After Liver Transplantation
Student Poster
1st Place:
Jack Kaiser
University of Missouri
Ultrasound Characterization of a Rare Periosteal Cartilaginous Tumor of the Humerus: Case Report
2nd Place:
Gabrielle Peuterbaugh
University of Missouri
Challenges in Sonographic Diagnosis of Conjoined Twins with a Shared Heart: A 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:
Emily Lewis, BS, RDMS
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Point-of-Care Ultrasound In Acute Athletic Injury: Implications for Sonographers
2nd Place:
Lillian Ghanem
University of Oklahoma
Diagnostic Performance of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Vs. Computed Tomography in Ocular Trauma and Posterior Segment Injury
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.
2026 Cohort Grant Recipient:
Chesna Gordon, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
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).
2026 Recipients:
Sonography Student Scholarship Program
Kaci Moritz
KU School of Health Professions
Alishia Jacobs
Dallas College
Sonography Advanced Degree Scholarship Program
Rachael Sullivan, BS, RDMS, RVT
University of Missouri-Columbia
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.
2026 Recipients:
Alexandra Andree
AIC Litein Medical Training College
Litein, Kenya
Meghan Bouwman
AIC Litein Medical Training College
Litein, Kenya
Jeremy Gauden
AIC Litein Medical Training College
Litein, Kenya
Clinical Instructor Grant Program
The SDMS Foundation Clinical Instructor Grant Program recognizes outstanding volunteer clinical instructors and promotes awareness of the need for clinical instructors.
2026 Recipients:
Angela Ridenour, RDMS
Sonographer at CHI Lakeside Hospital, Clinical Instructor with the University of Nebraska Medical Center Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Manuela Coleman, RDMS
Acute Diagnostic Sonographer and Lead Clinical Instructor at Banner Boswell Medical Center