Student Research and Accomplishments

Seattle U Students Win First and Second place 2016 W. Fred Sample Awards

Seattle U students won both first and second place in the 2016 W. Fred Sample paper sponsored by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. You can see a full list of award winners and both students' submissions here.

Seattle U students placed first and second in the 2016 competition

  • First place went to Karl Fincken who submitted a Literature Review entitled, “Hemodialysis- Improving Arteriovenous Fistula Access through Drug-Eluting Devices and Role of Vascular Ultrasound Imaging”
  • Second place went to Abigail Cone who submitted a Literature Review entitled, "The Role of Echocardiography in Determining Radiofrequency Ablation versus Cryoablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation”

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) is a professional membership organization founded in 1970 to promote, advance, and educate its members and the medical community in the science of diagnostic medical sonography. The SDMS, with over 2 8,000 members, is the largest association of sonographers and sonography students in the world.

The SDMS Annual Conference is designed for sonographers, students, and other health care providers who use sonography. The educational program provides knowledge and skills in new sonographic techniques, diagnostic accuracy, enhancements of sonographic instrumentation, and practice management strategies. 

Once a year at the annual SDMS conference students have the opportunity to participate in the W. Fred Sample Competition. Each student who chooses to participate submits an article focused on either original research or a literature review. 

W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Award acknowledges outstanding achievement in writing in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. The award is named in memory of W. Frederick Sample, MD, whose tremendous contributions to the growth and development of the field of sonography have influenced sonographers and physicians. Because of Dr. Sample's dedication to teaching and research, this award is given to outstanding students in diagnostic medical sonography.