School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
​

Each year approximately 63,000 imaging procedures are performed by the sections of general and OB/GYN ultrasound. The 18-month program begins every July. 
 
The Northwestern Medicine School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.jrcdms.org):

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: 727.280.2350
Fax: 727.210.2354

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography 
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 443.973.3251

​The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography was designed using the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines and strictly adheres to those requirements. Program graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations in Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI), Abdomen, and OB-GYN specialties.

With Northwestern Memorial's state-of-the-art facility, students are taught with the most advanced technological and diagnostic equipment available, including:

• 24 Philips IU22
• 7 Philips EPIQ
• 5 Siemens Sequoia
• 2 Siemens S2000 Touch
• 2 Siemens S3000 Touch
• 1 Siemens S3000
• 1 Samsung WS80A
• 1 GE Voluson E10
• 1 GE Logiq P6
• 1 Toshiba
• 2 ABUS
• 1 Corvascular Falcon

Our experienced instructional staff includes:

• 27 board-certified physicians
• 56 sonographers
• 21 clinical instructors
• Administrative and support staff

Program Mission Statement
The mission of the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is to provide a comprehensive education that will prepare students to become entry-level sonographers. The program is structured to provide intellectual stimulation and learning through quality academic and clinical experiences and competency-based evaluation. This is necessary to prepare students to:

• Assume the responsibilities of an entry-level sonographer
• Provide quality patient care
• Contribute to their profession by a commitment to professional organizations and lifelong learning

Goals
Although the primary goal of the program is to produce fully competent and knowledgeable sonographers, graduation is considered a beginning rather than an end. It is expected that with further experience and continuing education, the entry-level abilities achieved will continue to develop and expand. The goals of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are:

• To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
• To provide the medical community with individuals qualified to perform sonographic procedures
• To instill in students a lifelong desire to achieve professional and academic excellence

Hospital Mission Statement
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, our sponsor institution, has a guiding philosophy of being a regional hospital of choice that is recognized as having the most satisfied patients, the best possible clinical quality and outcomes, and the best physicians and staff. We strive to improve the quality of the care in our community. Core values that are allowing us to achieve these goals and support the mission are:

• Integrity
  We adhere to an uncompromising code of ethics that emphasizes complete honesty and sincerity. Through our words and actions, we earn the complete trust of our patients and their families, our community, and our coworkers. We do the right thing.

 

• Patients First
  We put the patient first in all we do. Caring for the individual patient and his or her family is the heart of our mission and our philosophy.
  
  
• Excellence
  We continuously strive for excellence. We are always learning and improving our skills, programs and services.
  
  
• Teamwork
  We achieve our mission and goals through the collective and coordinated efforts of our staff. We use our diverse talents, backgrounds, ideas and experiences to benefit patients and create solutions. We value team success over personal success.​

DMS PROGRAM OUTCOME DATA

Outcome Data - Student Graduation Rate
Period               Students Accepted          Students Graduated          Graduation Rate    
2014-2018                        30                                           28                                            93%
​
2018                                    6                                             6                                            100%    

Outcome Data - ARDMS Certification Pass Rates 
Period                    Exam         Students Attempted        Students Passed        Pass Rate              
2014-2018                 SPI                          28                                     28                           100%                                                         
2018                           SPI                            6                                       6                           100%  
                                                   
2014-2018                 ABD                        28                                     28                           100%

2018                           ABD                          6                                       6                           100% 

2014-2018                 OB-GYN                 28                                     28                           100%                                    
2018                           OB-GYN                   6                                       6                           100%                    
​
In-field Employment Rate (within 12 months of program completion for those actively seeking):                                                                          
Period             Number Seeking             Number Employed             Employed      
2014-2018                     28                                         28                                 100%     
​                             
2018                                 6                                           6                                 100%    

Quicklinks

About Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Curriculum and Rotation
Faculty Members
Prerequisites
For Prospective Students

Contact
School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
541 N. Fairbanks Ct.
Suite 950
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.926.6609