Month: May 2025

Christina Werth BS, MHA, RDMS, RDCS

Leader in Sonography 

Christina is an accomplished sonographer, mentor, and educator with more than a decade of clinical experience. Her love of ultrasound is contagious, an attribute she can trace back to her program director, Hamad Ghazle. Her career has covered the breadth of sonography, with highlights that include co-chairing the Sonographer Education Committee at University of Rochester, receiving the URMC Strong Star award (twice), establishing a sonographer education program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, standardizing the Penn OB/GYN residency ultrasound curriculum, receiving the Collaborative Award for Residence Teaching Excellence in 2021, and lecturing alongside Dr. Matthew Janssen and her mentor, Dr. Nadav Schwartz, in an AIUM webinar in 2022. Today, you can find Christina on-staff at the world-renowned Fetal Heart Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where she cares for CHOP’s tiniest hearts.

 

Onesty Q. Culpepper BS, RDMS (AB, OBGYN), RVT

Rising Star 

Onesty holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Louisiana State University and a certification in medical sonography from Houston Community College. She was the president of her graduating sonography class and a mentor to many in the class after hers. After graduating in December of 2022, she hit the ground running, bolstered by her passion for healthcare and a keen eye for detail. She quickly gained registries in a variety of ultrasound specialties including obstetrics and gynecology, abdominal, and vascular. In-clinic, she’s a true team player, collaborating seamlessly with colleagues and continuing to share her wealth of knowledge with junior staff members.  She’s also known for her problem-solving abilities, demonstrating a rare combination of technical expertise and clinical acumen, she consistently delivers accurate images that have positively impacted patient outcomes.

 

Quiomara Melendez RDCS (AE, PE, FE), RVT

Industry Influencer 

Quiomara (everyone calls her Q!) found her passion for pediatric echo early, achieving her registry in 2012 and going on to obtain her fetal echo registry in 2017—becoming the first cardiovascular sonographer to do so in the hospital system where she worked. After time in an outpatient setting, Q discovered her love for education and training, and upon returning to the hospital, began creating pediatric echo study resources and educational programming for her peers. A dozen trainees have successfully completed the training, with almost all going on to pass the registry exam. Her content has been shared with affiliated hospitals, multiple schools, and a few healthcare facilities. This year, Q coordinated the All Florida Pediatric Echo Society Symposium, showcasing the latest in ultrasound technology and leveraging social media to expand the conference’s reach.

 

 Megan Platfoot, BS, RDMS (AB, OBGYN), RDCS, RVT

Distinguished Educator 

Megan developed the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Clark State College in Springfield, OH, and continues to serve as its program director. Before the first class graduated, she had successfully earned CAAHEP accreditation in AB, OB/GYN, and vascular sonography. Her most recent focus has been on growing the program to provide as many resources as possible, including machines, simulators, and registry study material. Megan handles student and clinical recruitment and curriculum development, but her favorite part of the job is seeing how eager and excited her students are as they embark on the beginning of their sonography careers.

 

Dominique Tate

Student Sonographer

Dominique is a sonography student at Temple College. Born in the Dominican Republic, she came to the U.S. at the age of nine and joined the military to become a combat medic right out of high school. After completing her time in the military, Dominique was looking for her next career. She stumbled on the DMS program at Temple, and has never considered herself more blessed. She loves sonography and finds it very challenging and rewarding. In fact, she can’t see herself doing anything else! Dominique brings an exciting and goal-driven energy to her clinical site. She is known for striving to obtain the very best images and being highly personable with her patients. A hard worker and excellent student, she’s always ready to help and never shies away from learning new things.

Katrina Johnson ARDMS (AB)

Leader in Sonography 

A seasoned sonographer with two decades of experience, owner of Affordable Ultrasound Imaging, and a business mentor and coach, Katrina Johnson epitomizes the word “leader.” Ask anyone who knows her, and they will tell you the same thing—she loves to teach, she cares about her students, mentees, and employees, and she knows how to help people grow into the best version of themselves.

Katrina’s continuous pursuit of excellence and investment in others can also be clearly seen in her community, where she’s made ultrasound services accessible and cost-effective for everyone.

 

Jennifer Martinez RDMS (OB/GYN)

Rising Star 

Jennifer Martinez is already known for her precise and clear imaging, her passionate dedication to continuous learning, and her compassionate patient care. She’s proficient in the use of advanced sonographic equipment and highly capable of accurately diagnosing complex cases—skills that can be traced back to a determined study ethic that practically devours training sessions, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

A true rising star in the field, Jennifer uses her hard-won knowledge to elevate others. She’s a virtual tutor, a recent partner of Babies First Glance, a mentor to peers, and a collaborative team player. Her empathetic approach creates a highly positive experience and makes her patients feel both comfortable and informed.

 

Kristy Le RDMS (AB, OB/GYN)

Industry Influencer 

As a prominent ultrasound influencer, Kristy Le (KristyDMS) demonstrates exceptional technical proficiency and a profound commitment to fostering collaboration and education within the field. A frequent presenter at schools, via educational platforms, and on social media, Kristy provides honest insights and practical tips that enrich the knowledge base of both students and seasoned sonographers alike.

A passionate champion for excellence in ultrasound, Kristy advocates for continuous professional development, best practices, and high ethical standards. These efforts have significantly contributed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where knowledge-sharing thrives.

 

Dr. Elaine Nichols EdD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R), ACUE

Distinguished Educator

Dr. Elaine Nichols served at Piedmont Virginia Community College before transitioning to the program director position at Sovah School of Health Professions and bringing a wealth of experience with her. Through her guidance, meticulous planning, and attention to detail, the Sovah program is flourishing and has become a model learning environment where students thrive.

Dr. Nichols’ leadership is marked by her dedication to education and passion for advancing the field. Her active engagement with students is evidenced by the admiration her graduates hold for her and the positive impact she has had on their careers. She inspires students and faculty alike to strive for excellence.

 

Erica Kelly

Student Sonographer

Erica Kelly is a shining example of what every sonography student should aspire to be: diligent, empathetic, knowledgeable, and dedicated to excellence in both the classroom and in patient care. Her exemplary academic performance is highlighted by a successful passing of the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) registry less than a week after finishing her sonography physics course.

But Erica is only getting started. She plans to take the abdominal, OB/GYN, and vascular registries before graduating in December. She will also work as a lab assistant with Clark State’s incoming DMS class this fall and will continue representing students in the DMS Program Advisory Committee.