It’s been almost a decade since Lara Williams and Judith Buckland, MBA, RDCS, FASE, last taught together (yes… the legendary “quack like a duck” kinetic learning moment is back). In this Sonographers After Dark episode, they reconnect to unpack how the ultrasound and echo world has transformed since 2016—through COVID-era shifts, remote education becoming the norm, and the rising demand to streamline the nonstop pressure on sonographers and physicians. Judith shares the real story behind her evolution from accreditation consulting to building process-driven quality systems—and why her biggest “aha” was that accreditation isn’t the destination… it’s the leverage that finally gets buy-in for standardization, peer review, and better outcomes. Together, they dig into the grind (and cost) of pursuing ACCME, the vision of bundling accreditation + QI + CME + credential requirements into one workflow, and the entrepreneur brain that keeps dreaming bigger. They also talk AI in echo (including vendor-agnostic automation, real-world “messy” data, and why this tech won’t replace sonographers—but can reduce burnout), plus what’s next: HOCM accreditation changes, goal-directed Valsalva, ICE/4D ICE advances, and the behind-the-scenes work of building platforms that make “better cardiology” possible.

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Watch the full episode here or listen on your favorite platform:
Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonographersAfterDark
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sonographersafterdark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonographersafterdark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonographersafterdark/

#sonographersafterdark #iheartecho #allaboutultrasound #loveecho #loveultrasound #bettercardiology #cardioserv #echoaccreditation #echoquality #cardiacultrasound #hocm #hypertrophiccardiomyopathy #hcm

In this powerful episode of Sonographers After Dark, Lara sits down with Joy Guthrie, PhD., ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS, FASE, to discuss the evolution of advanced practice sonography and what it truly means to elevate our profession.
Joy shares the story behind launching one of the first Advanced Cardiac Sonography programs in 2016—and how it expanded to include Advanced Perinatal Ultrasound and Advanced Vascular tracks. Designed for experienced sonographers with at least three years of clinical practice and a bachelor’s degree, these hybrid programs combine online coursework with immersive on-campus residency. The result? Graduates who return to their institutions with increased responsibility, new job descriptions, and higher compensation.
Together, Lara and Joy explore:
• The shift toward advanced roles in cardiac, vascular, and perinatal imaging
• Why many “advanced” roles aren’t labeled that way—but function at a higher clinical level
• How accreditation and positions like Technical Director have reshaped expectations (often requiring ACS-level expertise)
• The development of the CAAHEP Pathway program for advanced practice
• Gaining physician buy-in and aligning with collaborative, extender-style practice models
• Practical application tips for competitive advanced program admission
• The unique challenges of pediatric echocardiography training and why hands-on experience is non-negotiable
This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a roadmap for sonographers who are ready to expand their scope, elevate patient care, and help define the next generation of our profession.
If you’ve ever wondered what the future of advanced sonography looks like… this is it.
#SonographersAfterDark #AllAboutUltrasound #iheartecho #LoveUltrasound #LoveEcho💜

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Watch the full episode here or listen on your favorite platform:
Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonographersAfterDark
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sonographersafterdark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonographersafterdark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonographersafterdark/

In this episode of Sonographers After Dark, Lara sits down with Dr. Anita Moon‑Grady, pediatric cardiologist at UCSF, for a deep dive into the evolving world of fetal echocardiography training and career development. Dr. Moon-Grady shares how fetal echo sonographers are trained within her program, and how additional fetal expertise is built through mentored learning, progressive responsibility, and certification.

Together, Lara and Anita unpack what true career progression looks like in fetal cardiology—from senior to principal sonographer roles—and why fetal board certification matters. The conversation explores the cross-training divide between obstetrics and pediatric cardiology, highlighting realistic training timelines, skill transfer, and the unique challenges sonographers face when entering fetal echo from different clinical backgrounds. Dr. Moon-Grady also reflects on her work with the American Society of Echocardiography and the AIUM to harmonize fetal echocardiography guidelines across specialties, helping standardize exams, expectations, and training pathways nationwide.

✨ This episode is a must-listen for sonographers curious about fetal echo, leaders shaping training programs, and anyone passionate about advancing fetal heart care through collaboration and education.

💙 #SonographersAfterDark #iHeartEcho #AllAboutUltrasound #LoveUltrasound #LoveEcho #FetalEcho #Fetal Echocardiography

Watch the fullepisode here or listen on your favorite platform:
Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonographersAfterDark
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sonographersafterdark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonographersafterdark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonographersafterdark/
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