Mentor Week 2026

Join us for three nights of live round table discussions with the movers and shakers of the field of sonography. This year, mentees drive the conversation—submitting the questions for our panelists to dig into in real time, on the topics most important to sonographers and influential in shaping where our profession is headed. Whether you're developing your professional identity, growing into leadership, or figuring out what adventure ultrasound is leading to next—Mentor Week 2026 has something to offer every sonographer. Connect with leaders, educators, and advocates across the ultrasound field for real conversations about what we care about, why it matters, and how we move our profession forward—together. Bring your curiosity, submit your questions, and join us in showing up for one another and for the field we love. Register now for Mentor Week 2026—see ya there, mentees!

What's on the agenda?

3 nights of professional life-changing insights.

Night 1: 11/9
8-9:15pm EST
Education & Mentorship

Your questions, their answers—live. Our panelists sit down for a round table built entirely around what mentees want to know about education and mentorship—topics like building strong mentor-mentee relationships, navigating clinical instruction, and cultivating a lifelong passion for learning in sonography. How we teach and mentor each other shapes not just individual careers, but the quality of care our patients receive and the future of our profession itself. Come ready for a real conversation about what it means to show up for each other as educators, mentors, and lifelong learners.


Panelists: 
-Megan Meade RDMS, RDCS
-Richard A. Palma BS, ACS, RCCS, RCS, RDCS, FACVP, FSDMS, FASE
-Yosefa Pessin, DHSc, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT

Night 2: 11/10
8-9:15pm EST
Leadership & Team Building

Leadership isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is this conversation. Our panelists respond to mentee-submitted questions on leading with or without a title, building strong teams, and bridging the gap between clinicians, administrators, and the communities they serve. The strength of our teams and the way we lead each other directly shapes patient care, workplace culture, and how far our profession can grow. Join us for real talk about what it takes to be an effective leader, while also reaching to pull up one another.





Panelists: 
-Jennifer Reed RDMS, MHA
-Samantha Grimsley, MS, BS-DMS, RDCS, RDMS, RVT
-Katherine (Kate) O’Brien, BS, RDMS, RDCS

Night 3: 11/11
8-9:15pm EST
Sonographer Identity & Advocacy

What does it mean to be a sonographer that advocates for the profession that we all care so deeply and are so passionate about? Our panelists take on mentee-submitted questions about professional identity, raising your voice in professional spaces, and shaping the future of ultrasound. How we see ourselves and how we represent ourselves as sonographers shapes whether our profession is truly seen, valued, and represented at every level of healthcare. A night for honest conversation about who we are as sonographers, and what we owe each other as a community and the communities we serve
Panelists: 
-Aubrey Rybyinski BSDMS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM
-Erica Wiencek BS, RDMS, RVT
-Kristy Le, RDMS

Featuring an Expert Panelist of Mentors

Megan Meade RDMS, RDCS


Megan graduated from Morehead State University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Imaging Sciences. After graduation she moved to a larger city in Kentucky, where she worked as an MFM sonographer for 10 years at Norton Healthcare, then worked for Baptist Health as a Lead MFM Sonographer for 2.5 years.

After seeing so many sonographers (including herself) struggle with fetal heart education, she decided to start her own ultrasound education business in 2021, Viable Solutions LLC. The business focuses on educating sonographers about the fetal heart through hands on training and online content, so that they become more confident in their skills while improving the prenatal detection of congenital heart defects.

Richard A. Palma BS, ACS, RCCS, RCS, RDCS, FACVP, FSDMS, FASE

Richard (Richie) Palma, BS, ACS, RCS, RDCS, FACVP, FSDMS, FASE, is the founder, director, and clinical coordinator of Duke’s Cardiac Ultrasound Certificate Program and recipient of the 2021 Duke School of Medicine Cardiology Teaching Award. He is the only man to receive the “Distinguished Teaching Award” from both the SDMS and ASE. In the spring of 2022, he was appointed to Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Board of Directors.


Richie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) and the SDMS Foundation (2021-2025) and is an assiduous contributor to the sonography profession as educator, author, program developer, and a leading national and international speaker and presenter on sonography and echocardiography.
As author of the fifth edition of Echocardiographer’s Pocket Reference, a definitive reference for echocardiography sonographers and students since 1993. He is honored to succeed Sid Edelman, an iconic Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) physics instructor, at ESP Ultrasound.

 Richie is a national speaker for Philips and Lantheus Medical Imaging and a Fellow of the SDMS, the American Society of Echocardiography, and the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals. Richie, who was among the first to achieve Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) certification in the United States, has worked in sonography since 1990.

Yosefa Pessin, DHSc, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT

Yosefa Pessin, DHSc, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT is a tenured Associate Professor, former Program Director and Chair of the Diagnostic Medical Imaging Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She has a BS in medical imaging, MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology, and doctorate in health science.

 Dr. Pessin holds registry certifications in Abdomen, Ob/Gyn, Adult Echocardiography, and Vascular Technology, and has been a sonographer since 1995. Yosefa has worked clinically at world-renowned hospitals, as well as in outpatient and private practice settings. Her passion for ultrasound education is well known. She is currently the director of the CAAHEP accredited sonography program at the Center for Allied Health Education.

Throughout her career, Dr. Pessin has received organizational recognition for her work, including the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Distinguished Educator’s Award, SDMS Kenneth R. Gottesfeld Research Award, the SUNY Downstate Dr. Scherl Faculty Excellence Award, and SUNY Downstate Outstanding Research Award. Her research areas of interest and publications focus on infection control prevention, educational technology, and simulation in ultrasound education. Dr. Pessin is a senior member of the AIUM.

Jennifer Reed RDMS, MHA

Jenni is a dedicated Sonographer, currently the Women's Health Ultrasound Supervisor, with a passion for enhancing quality of Sonography, fostering professional growth, and advancing both sonography skills and personal development within the field. With an educational foundation in Sonography from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from Queens University, Jenni combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to improve patient care, Sonographer technique, and both personal and professional development amongst the field. 

Samantha Grimsley, MS, BS-DMS, RDCS, RDMS, RVT

Samantha is a trusted voice in diagnostic medical sonography with over a decade of experience across multiple specialties. Holding a BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master's in Regulatory Affairs from Northeastern University, she is an authority on medical imaging and the healthcare space. Sam's passion for ensuring quality patient care has led her to champion quality assurance initiatives at multiple prestigious institutions. Her clinical expertise spans multiple specialties for which she is certified by the ARDMS, including abdomen/small parts, OBGYN, fetal echocardiography, pediatric sonography, breast, and vascular technology. She holds a deep understanding of sonographers who aim to better themselves through self-paced teaching and aims to create a positive, inclusive learning environment that places sonographers at the forefront to improve technologist confidence, patient-centered care, and clinical outcomes. She is currently a Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Massachusetts Bay Community College.

Katherine (Kate) O’Brien, BS, RDMS, RDCS

Katherine (Kate) O’Brien, BS, RDMS, RDCS, is the Vice President of Clinical Services at BB Imaging, with more than 15 years of experience in women's healthcare and maternal-fetal medicine. A sonographer turned healthcare leader, Kate is passionate about advancing women's health, expanding access to high-quality ultrasound services in underserved communities, and developing the next generation of clinical leaders. She leads nationwide clinical operations with a people-first philosophy, believing that when sonographers are supported, empowered, and given opportunities to grow, both teams and patients thrive. 

Throughout her career, Kate has led multidisciplinary clinical operations, developed high-performing sonography teams, and supported the expansion of specialized imaging services across multiple states. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership for BB Imaging's nationwide clinical operations, with a focus on clinical excellence, leadership development, and improving access to care in underserved and rural communities. 

Aubrey Rybyinski BSDMS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM

Aubrey Rybyinski, BS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM is the Clinical Manager, Non Invasive Vascular at Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in Galloway NJ, holding credentials from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in abdominal, breast, neurosonography, OB/GYN and vascular technology. He earned his BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Advent Health University in Orlando, FL.

Additionally, Aubrey has authored chapters in several medical textbooks while lecturing extensively on a multitude of ultrasound topics. Aubrey actively volunteers for many professional organizations, currently serving the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), as President Elect, the SDMS Foundation on the Board of Directors, and previously on the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Vascular Testing section as a Board Director. 

Erica Wiencek BS, RDMS, RVT


Erica Wiencek is a diagnostic medical sonographer, educator, and Master of Bioethics candidate at Harvard Medical School. Her professional experience spans clinical sonography, academic research, education, and professional advocacy. She serves as an adjunct professor teaching gynecologic pathology and has lectured at the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Annual Conference. Erica is also involved with her nonprofit Sonocratic, supporting sonography education and professional development, and previously served as President of the Michigan Sonographers’ Society. Passionate about advancing the profession, she is dedicated to mentorship, patient advocacy, and elevating the role of sonographers in healthcare. Her current research focuses on moral distress among diagnostic medical sonographers and the ethical challenges encountered in clinical practice.

Kristy Le, RDMS


Kristy Le, known online as KristyDMS, is a diagnostic medical sonographer, healthcare content creator, and advocate for ultrasound education. With over seven years of experience in sonography, she specializes in OB/GYN and maternal-fetal imaging and is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice, education, and patient-centered care.

Through KristyDMS, she creates approachable, educational content that supports sonography students, encourages professional growth, and raises awareness of the essential role sonographers play in healthcare. As a first-generation Asian American healthcare professional, Kristy is committed to making sonography education more accessible, amplifying sonographers’ voices, and inspiring the next generation of imaging professionals.

& The  Moderator
Mentor Team!

Hayley O. Bartkus,
MS-HPEd., BSDMS, RDMS
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director

As a diagnostic medical sonography program director, the only thing that Hayley loves more than ultrasound is sharing her passion for it with students through sonography education. Hayley’s experience spans from the bedside to the classroom with clinical experience in general, pediatric, and high-risk obstetric sonography and having earned a MS in Health Professions Education from Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Recognized as AS Software’s 2023 Community Advocate Sonography Impact Award Winner, Hayley incorporates the importance of patient-centered care in ultrasound in everything she does with a focus on patient and healthcare worker advocacy, working to amplify voices of others.
Want more Hayley content? Check out her all things ultrasound podcast 256 Shades of Gray—streaming now wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Christina Werth
MHA, BS-DMS, RDMS, RDCS
Sonography Educator, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

An accomplished sonographer, mentor, and educator, Christina has over a decade of clinical experience in high-risk obstetrics, gynecology, and fetal echo. Recognized as BB Imaging's 2023 Leader in Sonography award winner and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's 2021 Collaborative Award for Resident Teaching Excellence award winner, Christina has expertise in clinical lab accreditation, CME planning and compliance, and ultrasound educational events planning. In addition to regular clinical time, speaking events, and sonographer education activities, Christina has previously served as the Continuing Education Manager for the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine providing leadership to the CME branch of the AIUM Education and Events team. She currently scans full-time as a fetal heart program sonographer in an internationally renowned fetal diagnostic center.

what's included?

  • 3 info-packed nights of 60-minute, live webinars  with experts in the industry to help you achieve your career goals!
  • Event access to community conversations and live Q&A

3 nights of live webinars.


This program runs for 3 nights, November 9th- November 11th from 8:00-9:15pm EST each evening.

Helpful Program Info


 This program includes live webinars s over Zoom with audio and visual components. Compatibility with Zoom is required. 

Share Your Thoughts!


Share your thoughts on this program to help EchoMentor design future activities that benefit YOU!

why our mentors?

Our team of trailblazers in the sonography field have been where you are—and know how to get you to where you want to go! Whether you're navigating career transitions, aiming for the next level, or tackling a challenging project, our guidance is designed to help you reach success and find fulfillment in your journey. With deep industry knowledge and a passion for helping others thrive, EchoMentor mentorship provides the insights, strategies, and confidence you need to elevate your career and make a lasting impact on the field and in the lives of the patients we serve.
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Mentor Week 2026 FAQ

When is the event?

MentorWeek 2026 will begin Monday, November 9th, 2026 at 8:00pm EST and run nightly for 3 nights, with the final night on Wednesday, November 11th, 2026. Each nightly session will be about 75 minutes, scheduled from 8:00pm-9:15pm EST.

How does it work?

Enrolling in this program gives you access to a zoom webinar link for each night of the event. You may then access the webinar through the course portal at its scheduled time. 

How do I access the webinar?

The webinar is accessible through the Mentor Week 2026 course page found in your EchoMentor Learning portal (you're here now!). After you register for the activity the orange "register for free!" button at the top of the page will convert to an orange "continue" button (note: you must be registered and logged in). Click continue and navigate to the Live Session webinar of the night's date and time. Before the event you will just see an "add to calendar" option. However, about three minutes before the start of the event begins an orange button will appear allowing you to "join live session." 

Please note: if you are accessing through a mobile device you MUST have Zoom installed before clicking the "join live session" for the player to work correctly. If you do not connect to the webinar, please ensure Zoom is installed and updated before attempting to reconnect. 

Do I have to attend each night?

While we think each night is going to have something amazing for everyone, and encourage you to join all 3 nights, that's not a requirement! You can choose the nights and sessions that best fit your goals. 

Will sessions be recorded, and how can I view the recording?

Yes, sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the course page within 30 days of the conclusion of the event. Please check the course portal after this timeframe to view the recording. 

Are there any "perks" from attending live vs watching the recording later?

Yes! Not only will live attendees get to ask questions that shape the discussion, interact directly with our mentors, and connect with their community, live attendees will gain access to EchoMentor promos and discounts!

Can I obtain CME for this event?

Since this is a free professional development event, we will not be offering CME for these webinars. However, if you need CME you may want to check out our course library which has some exciting CME activity options!
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