Charlotte Henningsen, SDMS President

Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, is the current president of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), and a 25 year veteran of the sonography profession. She is Chair & Professor of the Sonography Department at the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences.

How did you become interested in the field of sonography?

Well, I had finished my program in x-ray and radiography, and I had the opportunity to become involved with a brand new technology — ultrasound. It was an on-the-job training program learning sonography, including abdominal and ob/gyn. That was about 25 years ago.

What are the most significant technological advances you have seen during the course of your career? What advances do you anticipate happening over the next 10 years?

The advances we’ve seen over the last 25 years are truly amazing — when I started, we were looking at images using static scanning, and we were making diagnoses with black on white images. Looking at them now, I can’t believe how we worked with them! The resolution increases are a huge advancement, as are the introduction of color and power Doppler. We’ve also seen protocols expand as more anatomical areas are imaged. Recently, there also has been tremendous change in the ergonomic design of ultrasound equipment to meet the needs of our community.

I expect resolution to continue getting better and better, and I also expect to see ultrasound continue to expand into niche markets like emergency medicine and anesthesia. There will probably be a transition in the way sonographers acquire images, from being centered at the ultrasound machine to being centered at a workstation.

Who do you consider your mentor?

I have been guided and encouraged by many, many people over the course of my career. Diane Kawamura, Ph.D, RT(T), RDMS, FAIUM, FSDMS, has been an important mentor to me for a long time; I met her during the first site visit for my ultrasound training program. She played a huge role in training and guiding me, and encouraged me to do things like write my first chapter in a textbook.  She emphasized the importance of growing into professional service, which is still important to me today.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable experience?

I have been fortunate to have had many memorable experiences in sonography! However, getting my first text book in the mail, and seeing two years of work condensed into a very professional, official-looking book was very exciting. Receiving my fellowship from SDMS also was a highlight. Being sworn in as president of SDMS was truly an honor — I am very honored to serve this community of sonographers.

Any advice for new sonographers?

The first thing I would tell a new sonographer is to obtain your credentials. It’s a matter of professional duty and a measure of commitment to patient safety.  It’s also important to be incredibly passionate about this field — technology advances at a rapid pace, so you should never stop learning. We’re going to continue to see massive expansion in technology, and continuous learning is important and required. Lastly, don’t be afraid to get involved in professional service — always be willing to say yes to opportunities!