by
Aubrey Rybyinski, SDMS President
| Sep 02, 2026
Dear SDMS Members,
I’m thrilled to announce the following SDMS award recipients and 2026 SDMS Foundation grants and scholarships. Please join me in congratulating them for their outstanding work and their valuable contributions to our profession. All honorees will be recognized at the 2026 SDMS Annual Conference, held September 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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
Breaking Bad News: Management of Unexpected Findings by Obstetric Sonographers
April Elizabeth Frey, MLIS, RDMS, RVT
2nd Place
When the Spleen Steals the Show: Splenic Artery Steal Syndrome After Liver Transplantation
Rachel Tassoni, BS, RDMS, RVT
Atara Korik, BFA, RDMS, RVT
Dana Lagrotteria, RDMS, RVT, RT (R) (ARRT)
Student Poster
1st Place
Ultrasound Characterization of a Rare Periosteal Cartilaginous Tumor of the Humerus: Case Report
Jack Kaiser
University of Missouri
2nd Place
Challenges in Sonographic Diagnosis of Conjoined Twins with a Shared Heart: A Case Report
Gabrielle Peuterbaugh
University of Missouri
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
Do Sonography Students Value Interprofessional Education? Perceptions Following an IPE Activity
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
W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Awards
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).
1st Place
Point-of-Care Ultrasound In Acute Athletic Injury: Implications for Sonographers
Emily Lewis, BS, RDMS
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2nd Place
Diagnostic Performance of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Vs. Computed Tomography
in Ocular Trauma and Posterior Segment Injury
Lillian Ghanem
University of Oklahoma
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
Establishing a Sonography Protocol for Evaluation of the
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon in the Hand
Sandy C. Takata, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM
2nd Place
Comparing Abdominal and Retroperitoneal Organ Sonographic Measurements
to Postdissection Measurements: A Pilot Study
MacKay Whalen, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
Jennifer E. Bagley, MPH, RDMS, RVT, FAIUM, FSDMS
Jonathan D. Baldwin, PhD, CNMT, RT (CT)
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).
Sonography Student Scholarship Program
Kaci Moritz
University of Kansas School of Health Professions
Alishia Jacobs
Dallas College
Sonography Advanced Degree Scholarship Program
Rachael Sullivan, BS, RDMS, RVT
University of Missouri-Columbia
SDMS Foundation Clinical Instructor Grant
The SDMS Foundation Clinical Instructor Grant Program recognizes outstanding volunteer clinical instructors and promotes awareness of the need for clinical instructors.
Angela Ridenour, RDMS
RDMS Sonographer, CHI Lakeside Hospital
Clinical Instructor, University of Nebraska Medical Center Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Manuela Coleman, RDMS
Acute Diagnostic Sonographer
Lead Clinical Instructor, Banner Boswell 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.
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
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
2026 Cohort
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Congratulations to everyone, and I encourage you to consider applying for an SDMS award in the future!
Aubrey Rybyinski, BS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM
SDMS and SDMS Foundation President