EchoMentor Revolutionizes Sonographer Education and Mentorship

In a groundbreaking development, two graduates of RIT, Hayley Bartkus and Christina Werth, have spearheaded the creation of EchoMentor, an innovative online platform tailored for sonographers. This platform serves as a beacon of excellence and dedication within RIT’s diagnostic medical sonography program.

Sonography, a vital medical imaging technique harnessing sound waves to delve into the inner workings of the human body, forms the core focus of EchoMentor. Bartkus and Werth designed this platform to cater to healthcare professionals seeking continuous education, mentorship, professional growth, and insightful case studies centered around patient care.

EchoMentor debuted with Bartkus leading a session on “Approaching Appendicitis,” followed by subsequent classes on kidney transplants and fetal skeletal dysplasia conducted by Bartkus and Werth, respectively. Samantha Grimsley, another colleague, delved into subclavian steal syndrome, enriching the platform’s educational repertoire.

The courses offered through EchoMentor are accredited by esteemed bodies like the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, fulfilling the continuing medical education requisites of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The genesis of EchoMentor traces back to Bartkus and Werth’s experiences during the COVID-19 crisis while working in high-risk maternal fetal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. Witnessing firsthand the pivotal yet often undervalued role of sonography in healthcare, they resolved to elevate awareness about this field, which burgeoned alongside technological advancements in the latter part of the 20th century.

EchoMentor’s mission transcends mere education; it aims to empower sonographers to advance their careers within the field itself. Bartkus emphasizes the platform’s role in engaging with contemporary healthcare issues, such as gender-affirming care and the Black maternal health crisis, fostering a community dedicated to life-saving healthcare practices.

The significance of mentorship in sonography is encapsulated in the essence of EchoMentor’s name. The platform is poised to expand into a comprehensive mentorship program, drawing inspiration from influential figures like Hamad Ghazle, director of RIT’s diagnostic medical sonography program.

EchoMentor stands as a testament to Ghazle’s legacy, embodying a commitment to excellence and a passion for sonography. Graduates from RIT’s program are renowned for their holistic approach to patient care, education, research, and quality improvement initiatives, reflecting the ethos that EchoMentor seeks to perpetuate.

As a digital hub for lifelong learning, EchoMentor not only serves to advance the sonography profession but also to enhance patient outcomes. Bartkus and Werth’s shared conviction in the transformative power of passion in one’s career underscores EchoMentor’s core philosophy of fostering joy and excellence in sonography practice.