In Memory: Donna Kepple - 1949 - 2010

Donna Kepple, RDMS (AB, NE, OB), a pioneer in endo-vaginal sonography, passed away on April 14, 2010. Ms. Kepple’s ovarian cancer sonography research from the late 1980’s was considered groundbreaking in its time and is still routinely referenced today. Ms. Kepple served as Chief Sonographer – Senior Technical Advisor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for 18 years and directed the sonographer training program from 1984-1989. During her career, Ms. Kepple gave many lectures and authored or co-authored numerous papers, chapters and books, including Transvaginal Sonography: A Clinical Atlas and Diagnostic Sonography: Principles and Practice. Ms. Kepple’s contributions to sonography extended beyond research and included volunteer leadership roles within various sonography organizations. In the late 1980’s through 1998, Ms. Kepple lent her time and expertise to ARDMS as Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Examination Development Task Force (EDTF) and as a member of the Board of Directors. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) honored Ms. Kepple in 1997 with the Distinguished Sonographer Award and bestowed the title of Fellow member in 2002. The Vanderbilt University named her Sonographer of the Year in 1989 and awarded her the O. Malcolm Sloan Outstanding Imager Award in 1995. Colleagues, friends and patients of Ms. Kepple remember her as a consummate professional with an infectious laugh and demeanor that could put anyone at ease. She was passionate about sonography, a gifted lecturer and a talented teacher.

Dr. Arthur C. Fleischer, a long-time friend and colleague of Ms. Kepple’s at Vanderbilt said, “Donna will be missed for her enthusiastic approach to her profession as well as her care and charm with her patients and those that came in contact with her. She inspired her staff to treat patients as if they were family and insisted on being referred to as a sonographer rather than an ultrasound technician. She leaves a legacy of pride in her profession and exemplifies what one individual can contribute to improve their field while enhancing the daily lives of those with which she worked.”

Ms. Kepple is survived by her husband (David), father (Warren), step-mother (Dorris), son (Jarrod), daughter (Hillary), brother (Wayne), sister (Connie), and grandchildren (Austin, Dylan, and Skylr). She was preceded in death by her mother (Rose Marie).

Black and white photo courtesy of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine archive.
Color photo courtesy of Arthur C. Fleischer, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Back To Top

In keeping with the ARDMS mission to promote quality care and patient safety through the certification and continuing competency of ultrasound professionals, all ARDMS Applicants, Candidates and Registrants are required to immediately report conduct that meets the Grounds for Discipline in accordance with ARDMS Standing Policies:

(A) Engaging in fraud, misrepresentation, deception, or concealment of a material fact in connection with obtaining or renewing ARDMS certification on one's own behalf or that of another;

(B) Having been convicted of, plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere to a misdemeanor or felony related to the public health or the provision of diagnostic medical sonography or vascular technology services;

(C) Having had disciplinary action taken by a state licensing board, state or federal agency, or national professional association on grounds that related to the public health or the provision of diagnostic medical sonography or vascular technology services; and

(D) Failure to cooperate with ARDMS concerning investigations of alleged grounds for discipline (as referenced above), including the collection of relevant information.

ARDMS requires that all criminal matters be reported so that the ARDMS may determine the impact to public health and safety. Please contact ARDMS even if you are unsure upon considering whether or not a criminal matter meets the Grounds for Discipline criteria as referenced above (specifically Standard B).

Upon disclosing a criminal matter or disciplinary action, Applicants, Candidates and Registrants are required to submit official documentation from the presiding court system or disciplinary body verifying the following information in addition to a personally written detailed description of the circumstances leading to the criminal charge or disciplinary action:

• What the initial charges were; and
• What the final judgment was (guilty, no contest, etc); and
• What the sentencing requirements were and for how long (example: probation for 24 months, fine, etc); and
• The current status of the sentencing requirements (complete, case closed, etc). You must provide documentation that either verifies that each sentencing requirement has been completed in full OR a letter from the courts verifying that this case is closed and all of the requirements have been satisfied.

Applicants, Candidates and Registrants disclosing an initial or subsequent criminal violation or disciplinary action will be assessed a $150 USD non-refundable Initial Legal Review Fee.

Additional fees may be assessed, depending on the level of review required to issue a final determination:

• Hearing Based on Record Only - $100* (individual declines participation)
• Telephonic Hearing - $100*
• In-Person Hearing - $500*
• Appeal Hearing - $500*
• Reinstatement Hearing - $300-$600*

* Note: All fees are in US Dollars (USD) and are non-refundable.

Back To Top

Spotlight on a Sonographer: Michael Walter, RDMS, RDCS, RVT

While many of us saw images of the world’s best athletes compete in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Mike Walter experienced it first-hand as a volunteer in the polyclinic in the Olympic Vancouver Village.  Walter was one of nearly 25,000, out of 75,000, applicants selected to take part of the historic event in Vancouver, Canada and the only American volunteer in imaging. In fact, this was the first Winter Olympics to offer CT, MR, digital radiography and ultrasound within the athletes' villages. The imaging team was comprised of 70 sonographers, radiologic technologists and radiologists.

Volunteers were an integral part of the event as they came from all over the world with different scopes of practices, cultural backgrounds and language barriers.  “It was a learning experience and I was able to work with all aspects of ultrasound and radiology,” described Walter.  “There was a polyclinic set up in the athletes’ village in both Vancouver and Whistler. Each polyclinic had an ultrasound machine, which was used for all types of scanning procedures, and in addition there were 5 ultrasound laptop scanners that were used for onsite scanning for ‘return to play’ decisions.”
 
The standards set by the Vancouver Organizing Committee were part of the application process.  Reviewers considered the applicant’s experience, interview, references and credentials.  “ARDMS credentials were a requirement for the sonographers,” said Karen Smith, the Imaging Team’s lead technologist and supervisor, “we held the volunteers to high standards with the whole world watching.”

“All of the volunteers wanted to be there and that created a high-energy, enjoyable work environment.  Collaborative medicine was essential,” noted Walter, hoping to bring the energy back into Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, MD, where he currently works. 

Photos courtesy of Mike Walter.

Back To Top