Addison, Texas – The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) and the SDMS Foundation announced the 2026 achievement award recipients, scholarly competition winners, and grant and scholarship recipients. All were honored September 24–26, 2026 at the SDMS Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
SDMS Fellow
Kathryn Wampler, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, was named an SDMS Fellow. Wampler is an assistant professor and clinical education coordinator for the UNMC Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
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 exhibits outstanding professional accomplishments as well as continued membership and sustained engagement in SDMS activities.
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 went to a UNMC team (pictured above) for, Do Sonography Students Value Interprofessional Education? Perceptions Following an IPE Activity. The team included:
- Kathryn Wampler, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
- Jessica Umbra, MHPTT, ACS, RDCS, RVT
- Christopher Smith, MD
- Kimberly Michael, EdD, MA, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
This interprofessional research study was originally funded with a grant from the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators. It has been going on since 2018.
SDMS 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.
1st Place Sonography Poster went to April Elizabeth Frey, MLIS, RDMS, RVT, for, Breaking Bad News: Management of Unexpected Findings by Obstetric Sonographers. April is a graduate of the UNMC Master of Health Professions Teaching and Technology program.
SDMS Foundation 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.
Angela Ridenour, RDMS, is an Adjunct Instructor and Clinical Instructor with the University of Nebraska Medical Center Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. She also is a sonographer at CHI Lakeside Hospital and Clinical Instructor.