I went into ultrasound school right out of high school, while also working at a group home with individuals with disabilities. I learned that I loved the medical field while also realizing that I did not want to go into nursing. Ultrasound ended up being the perfect spot to land, where I was able to learn the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the human body. Being a sonographer is a very unique career where we can connect with patients during their exams, while also potentially being able to figure out what is causing their pain or illness.
I attended Argosy University in Minnesota for my associate’s degree and completed a six-month internship at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, WI, where I met my now husband. I worked at Aurora Healthcare doing general and vascular ultrasound as well as taking calls for about 8 years before making the switch to OB/GYN ultrasound almost three years ago. It has been so refreshing to start a new path focusing on OB/GYN, being able to connect with patients, and watching them bond with their unborn babies via the pictures that I take for them.
As a mom of 2 kids and one on the way, I can appreciate how special the ultrasound is from when you get to see your baby for the first time, to having your anatomy ultrasound to ensure the baby is healthy.
My daughter was born with Trisomy 21 as well as an AV canal heart defect, and having the ultrasounds to diagnose these things before birth helped us and our medical team to be as prepared as possible for her birth. She is now a thriving 2-year-old!
The most common misconception about being a sonographer is when you tell someone that you are a sonographer and they immediately think you mean a court stenographer.