Our Faculty

Dr. Sid Edelman is the author of the text Understanding Ultrasound Physics and Ultrasound Physics Quiz Cards. He has been an advisor to the SDMS. He is best known for his ability to teach physics in a way that makes it easy to understand. He has over thirty years of experience in ultrasound physics registry preparation.

Cyndi Peterson is the Program Director of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Kent State University, Salem Campus. She holds a Master of Public Health from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science from Youngstown State. Cyndi has a multidisciplinary background. She holds ARDMS registries in Ob/Gyn, Abdominal, Breast, Neurosonology and Vascular Technology as well as an ARRT registration in Radiography. Cyndi has over 20 years of sonography and maintains an active clinical role as a Research Sonographer at Southwoods Imaging.

David Adams is a renowned innovator in echocardiography practice, research and education. He is the recipient of the first ASE Sonographer Lifetime Achievement Award and the past recipient of the ASE’s Distinguish Sonographer Teaching Award. David is the Technical Director for Echo Development at Duke University and has over 25 years of experience in registry reviews. He is dedicated to helping students master the keys to passing their registry exams. As a leader in the field, David combines humor with clinical expertise in providing a practical approach to cardiac ultrasound.

David has authored many publications, including the Adult Echo Digital Loops and Echo Quiz Cards. Most importantly, David is known for his ability to teach echocardiography in a practical, informative manner – a technique that pays dividends for his students as they seek the RDCS credential.

Alicia Armour is a senior cardiac sonographer in the Duke University Adult Echo Lab. With a Masters in Exercise Science and extensive experience in adult echocardiography she is the perfect person to answer all your questions. Alicia is active in the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) having lectured for years at the Annual Scientific Sessions. Additionally she has presented research posters on Continuous Quality Improvement and served on various ASE committees and writing groups.

Steve Bernhardt has been a Medical Sonographer since 1982. Educated at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma with specialties in abdominal, obstetrical, vascular and phlebology ultrasound. His experience includes 21 years at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana supervising both the general and vascular ultrasound departments. Presently practicing sonography and owner of Vascular Health Imaging in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ESP faculty member since 1993.

Joyce Grube holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiologic Technology and a Master of Science in Allied Health Education from The Ohio State University. She is the co-author of the SDMS Review Guidelines for Breast Sonography. Joyce is a private ultrasound educational consultant and an application specialist for a major ultrasound manufacturer.

Joyce has a multidisciplinary background as a radiographer, mammographer and sonographer with twelve years of experience as a sonography educator. She holds ARDMS registrations in Breast, Abdominal and Ob/Gyn sonography. Joyce is on the Educator’s Committee of the SDMS and is on the editorial board of the JDMS. Joyce’s clinical and academic experience makes her a leader in ultrasound education in the emerging field of Breast Ultrasound. Her students, past, current and future, benefit from her devotion to and expertise in ultrasound education. Joyce is the author of the Breast Sonography Quiz Cards.

Lisa Schuler is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Instructor for the CAAHEP accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Lisa has 19 years experience in ultrasound and holds ARDMS registrations in Neurosonology, Abdomen, Ob/Gyn, and Vascular Technology. In addition to her academic responsibilities, Lisa serves in the diagnostic ultrasound arena as a PRN sonographer at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation. Her registry bound students rave about her educational style and their superb preparation.

Robert W. McDonald is a senior cardiac sonographer at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital – Oregon Health Science University in Portland, Oregon. Rob is registered in Pediatric, Adult and Fetal Echocardiography as well as Congenital Cardiac Sonography. He is a graduate from the Spokane Community College Noninvasive Cardiovascular Program in Spokane, Washington. He has been in the field since 1983.

Jean is nationally recognized as a premier expert in venous disease, vascular testing and is a frequent lecturer throughout the US. She is an application reviewer and site visitor for the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). Jean has served on the Board of Directors of multiple vascular societies and foundations. She was honored as a Fellow of the SVU in 2014.

ESP’s Vascular program is recognized as the largest, most effective and efficient method for technologists and physicians preparing for RVT and RVS credentials. William Schroedter is a distinguished educator at the international and national level. He is recognized as an authority in all aspects of vascular testing in both clinical practice and education. Bill spent 7 years on the Society of Vascular Ultrasound Board of Directors and as SVU Vice President. He was honored as a Fellow of SVU in 1998.

Julia Drose is the Manager of the Departments of Ultrasound and Prenatal Diagnosis & Genetics at the University of Colorado Hospital. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Julia served as chairperson of the ARDMS exam development task force on fetal echo. She holds registries in fetal echo, adult echo, ob/gyn, abdominal and vascular technology. She is a recipient of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM)’s Distinguished Sonographer Award. Julia is the editor of the widely respected textbook Fetal Echocardiography, which released its second edition in 2010. Julia is a renowned sonographer with a career-long commitment to excellence in ultrasound education. Julia is a strong addition to the ESP faculty.

Dr. Tollefson has a unique practice at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is the Director of Emergency Ultrasound Education for a residency program consisting of nearly 40 residents.

He also holds a faculty position with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery where he has a busy Primary Care Sports Medicine practice and is the co-Director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship. In his sports medicine clinic, Dr. Tollefson uses ultrasound extensively for diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries in athletes of all ages.

Dr. Tollefson was among the first to successfully pass the new ARDMS exam earning Pioneer RMSK distinction. He is also holds an RDMS in abdominal sonography.