Sonography Program Spotlight

Henry Ford Hospital Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Founded 40 years ago, the Henry Ford Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program recently added the concentration of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK). January 2019 was the start of musculoskeletal classes. The course has been designed as a two year curriculum. In January 2021, our program graduated 5 students.

We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding luminary in the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound as a part of the faculty. Marnix T. van Holsbeeck, MD provided tremendous support and feedback during the development of our curriculum. In addition, he presented many guest lectures. The program benefits from a multitude of clinical sites in the Henry Ford Health System and also from teaching by a diverse group of clinical sonographers.

Our faculty Elena Gainey MD, RDMS, RVT (Program Director) and Courtney Neithamer, AAS, RDMS (Clinical Coordinator) took great pride in what the students have accomplished in the past two years. It was no sinecure for the pioneer students to master the entire field of sonography in addition to the new musculoskeletal concentration.

ARDMS: What sets your program apart from other programs in your community?
HFH: Our program has incorporated the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK) concentration into its existing curriculum. It is one of the only DMS programs that offers this concentration, and one of the few remaining hospital-based programs left in the country. Our program includes three clinical and two didactic days of instruction each week. The students rotate through thirteen clinical education centers, further elevating their clinical experience. We have twenty-five dedicated clinical preceptors and have maintained a 100% ARDMS passing rate.

ARDMS: How has your program changed in response to COVID-19?
HFH: We have merged online learning with in-person instruction respecting social distancing. Our online learning tools have included Zoom lectures along with the implementation of Microsoft Teams for assignments, projects and correspondence. With implementation of Online learning, the program has ensured that students have access to resources to enhance their education.

ARDMS: What is one defining moment or story that best represents what your program means to you and your community?
HFH: In 2018 the program leadership decided to add the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound concentration to the curriculum. For the pioneer sonography students this was an exciting moment. Fostering the entire spectrum of musculoskeletal care, Henry Ford Health System has had a solid reputation for their exceptional Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Rheumatology and Orthopedics for many years. It would only be fitting to offer the teaching of this technique to anyone with an interest in it.

ARDMS: How does your program prepare students for a post-graduation career?
HFH: Graduating from the Henry Ford Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program prepares the students to serve the community as fully credentialed medical professionals. Our program maintains a 100% ARDMS passing rate and the Henry Ford Health System currently employs 54 sonographers who are graduates of the program. Our graduates are eligible to take the national ARDMS board exams in Physics, Abdomen, and Obstetrics/Gynecology, prior to graduation. Once a graduate has received RDMS credentials, they can take the MSK national board exam.
Our Ultrasound department performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology (including Maternal-fetal medicine), small parts, transplants, neonatal heads, breast, interventional, and MSK. Additionally, Henry Ford Hospital is a certified level-one trauma center, with several of our clinical education centers including the use of emergency ultrasound. Our students are exposed to endless ultrasound opportunities and become proficient and experienced in several scanning areas.

ARDMS: How does your program adapt to and prepare for innovation in the Sonography field?
HFH: Our first musculoskeletal class was able to immerse in the newest technology available on the market. During the Covid year of teaching, we utilized “The Butterfly” to teach hands-on skills remotely. The system was uniquely designed for distant learning. Transducer position and transducer handling by the student can be corrected by a remote expert over high-speed internet. Being recognized and supported by this new company, our students were not only able to test this on each other but, they also were able to come together as a class and submit an educational research abstract to the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

ARDMS: What will your program look like in 5-10 years?

HFH: Our program will continue to meet the needs of this community. In 2019, our program commemorated 40 years of ultrasound training in Detroit. We celebrated this anniversary with the Class of 2019-2021 by hosting our first ever Sonobowl, inviting several other Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs from the area to compete against each other in various ultrasound-related games. Currently we are preparing for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound accreditation by the Commission of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). Our goal is to be one of the first MSK-accredited schools in the country.

ARDMS: Anything else you would like to share?
HFH: We are grateful to have the support of our staff and hospital administration. The department of Radiology has been given the approval to re-locate our classroom into a larger teaching area. This area will not only accommodate more students but will house a scanning laboratory with high quality equipment.

The program faculty would also like to extend appreciation to all of our clinical education centers and dedicated clinical sonographers and medical advisors for ensuring the success of our students.

If you are interested in learning more information about the Henry Ford Hospital Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, please visit their website or contact the program faculty:

Elena Gainey, MD, RDMS, RVT – Program Supervisor – elenag@rad.hfh.edu
Courtney Neithamer, RDMS – Clinical Coordinator – courtneyk@rad.hfh.edu
Laurie Geiger, RDMS, RMSKS – MSK Ultrasound Concentration Sonographer – laurieg@rad.hfh.edu

**ARDMS is committed to highlighting the accomplishments and diversity of sonography programs. If you would like to have your program featured, please complete and submit this form to EducatorResources@inteleos.org.