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This October, UVA Health is observing Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month to increase awareness of diagnostic medical sonography and the role sonographers play in healthcare. It was launched in 1992 initially as Sonography Awareness Month. This year’s theme: “Inside Images.” 

‘Every Step of the Way’ 

Supporting our strategic plan initiatives of Best Place to Work and Superior Quality, Patient Safety, and Outcomes — this summer, UVA Health Earn While You Learn (EWYL) Program graduated the first cohort of its new Cardiac Sonography Program: Joanna Kammauff, RDMS (above left), and Afaf Mohamed, RDMS, RDCS (above, right). Both arrived at EWYL as students from Piedmont Virginia Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Both will be working for UVA Heart and Vascular Center as cardiac sonographers. 

Mohamed says she became interested in cardiac and vascular sonography because she enjoys imaging dynamic organs such as the heart and blood vessels. With a medical background, she felt this is the closest field to her previous work history after moving to the United States. She also calls being part of the first EWYL Cardiac Sonography cohort a “special experience,” saying she’s grateful to have shared it with her classmate and that the program will continue to help future trainees. 

She adds: “Working at a top-ranked hospital such as UVA Health and knowing my work helps physicians care for patients makes this career very meaningful to me!”

'Most Incredible Opportunity'

Now, there are two trainees in the new EWYL Echo and Vascular Sonography training cohort: Jessica Kelsey (below, left) and Ella Hirtriter (below, right).

"I want to become a sonographer so I can expand my clinical skills and play a more direct role in helping diagnose and care for patients. The EWYL program will give me the opportunity to advance my education while continuing to work and grow within UVA Health," says Kelsey, who worked for more than a year as a Certified Medical Assistant.

"This is the most incredible opportunity I've ever received," says Hirtriter. "I'm so thankful for this program, all the wonderful staff, instructors, and doctors. This program is life changing, and I mean that with everything in me!"

'Pride and Purpose'

Elaine D. Nichols, EdD, RDCS, RVT, RDMS, RTR, ACUE (above, center), Cardiovascular Clinical Educator, joined UVA Heart and Vascular Institute in 2025. She says the Echocardiography Lab is understaffed — creating ongoing challenges in meeting clinical demand and service quality. “Given the challenges of recruiting qualified and prepared echo sonographers, the institute partnered with our EWYL team and determined that a more sustainable solution would be to invest in an experienced educator who could train local echo and vascular sonography candidates. This approach supports long-term workforce stability, reduces reliance on temporary team members, and strengthens the lab’s capacity to serve the community.” 

What does it mean to Nichols to have an impact on the education and careers of new sonographers coming into the healthcare fold? “The ultrasound profession has been deeply rewarding — offering countless opportunities to witness those ‘light bulb moments’ when learners grasp a new concept and begin to grow confidently in their careers,” she explains. “Seeing individuals develop into skilled professionals is one of the most meaningful parts of this work. It's equally gratifying to know UVA Health has entrusted our team with the responsibility of educating the next generation of leaders in the field — a commitment we take with pride and purpose.” 

Direct Path 

Nichols says EWYL's newest advanced programs offer a “powerful alternative” to the traditional college pathway by allowing individuals to earn income immediately, gain hands-on experience, and enter the workforce years earlier than their college‑bound peers. These programs typically come with little to no debt, provide recognized credentials, and lead to strong job security in high demand fields. 

“While college can open doors to degree‑required professions and may offer higher lifetime earnings in certain careers, EWYL pathways give learners a faster, more affordable, and more practical route into stable, well-paying jobs," adds Nichols." Ultimately, EWYL is ideal for those who prefer applied learning, seek financial stability early, and value a direct path into a career.” 

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow 14% from 2025-35. Also in that decade, annual job openings are projected to reach 5,800 a year. 

'At the Elbow'

“UVA Health Heart and Vascular Institute worked very closely with our EWYL team in developing our echo and vascular sonography training program over the past few years. There are simply too few throughout the state of Virginia and none, geographically, close to Charlottesville,” explains Thomas M. Miller, MS, Director, Cardiovascular Imaging and Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab, UVA Health Heart and Vascular Institute. “We're exceedingly lucky to hire Dr. Nichols to serve as our clinical educator, coordinating and supervising our learners. She’s a career educator and holds extensive diagnostic credentials — working ‘at the elbow’ with our trainees, which creates a unique and substantive educational experience.” 

He adds that she’s working with departmental new hires and fellows, developing didactic content and quality review of studies performed. 

Rising to the Challenge 

Jamieson Bourque, MD, MHS, serves as President, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology; Professor of Medicine and Radiology, UVA School of Medicine; Medical Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Stress Laboratory, Medical Director of Echocardiography, UVA Health.

He hails: “I'm very proud of the enormous work our team has done developing this rigorous and comprehensive program to educate the next generation of echo sonographers. I'm delighted with our first graduates who have risen to the challenge and developed strong skills that will prepare them well for their careers. I look forward to our next cohort!" 

Filling Needs 

Beth Mehring, MSN, RN, Program Director, EWYL, shares that staffing shortages in all imaging-related fields have a huge impact on patient care — even more difficult in highly specialized fields such as cardiac and vascular sonography. “There’s a significant mismatch in available educational programs/student capacity versus clinical needs. This is a major contributor to the shortages we feel and likely will continue to escalate in the future."

Mehring and Miller searched broadly to find a program to meet their needs. They’re working with Washburn University in Kansas on remote delivery of content and feel “extremely fortunate” Nichols implements the program onsite. “By training students, she helps ensure the highest quality care of UVA Health patients,” says Mehring.

EWYL is receiving significant interest in the new advanced program, but training spots are limited. “The program is very intense with complex materials taught in a very short time frame. We have to ensure those selected are strong candidates with the appropriate coursework in place. Joanna and Afaf were a wonderful first cohort to go through this program! In addition, we’re excited to have these two new providers for UVA Health — I’m very appreciative of their patience as we implemented a new and complex training program.”

Interested in joining an EWYL Advanced Program? Click here to see the entry requirements toward the end of the web page. 

Questions? Click on one of these links below to register for a virtual, general EWYL Information Session:
Oct. 8, 2026, 1-2 p.m. or Oct. 21, 2026, 12-1 p.m.