I remember my first SDMS volunteer conference call. I had been invited to join the SDMS Government Relations Committee, and while I was extremely passionate about the cause, I was also very nervous about interacting with those who I considered, and still consider, to be the luminaries of our profession.

I was concerned about what I, a Midwest sonographer/program director, could contribute. Frankly, it was terrifying at first. So many acronyms, working with people I had never met from places that I’d never visited, and yet, I saw an opportunity to be a part of the process of change that I believed would greatly impact our profession for generations to come.

I quickly learned that the SDMS wasn’t merely an impersonal organization that sent out communications and put on epic annual conferences. As I began to see the inner workings and the reality behind the scenes, I saw people just like you and I joined together for a common cause, a common passion, and a common community.

As members, we are the SDMS. We each have a unique opportunity to expand our sphere of influence far beyond what we could ever imagine. There is a place for everyone to volunteer and lend their unique talents and gifts to help ensure that the SDMS remains the premier association for sonographers. Who better to mold and transform our profession than the sonographers of this world?

April is volunteer appreciation month and I challenge you to take a chance this month. Sign up. Volunteer. Put your name out there. Start small or start big but start today! I look forward to serving alongside each of you.

Sincerely,

Tammy Stearns, ​MS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM
SDMS and SDMS Foundation President