Author: aslocal

Lee Health, one of Southwest Florida’s growing regional health systems, had a challenge familiar to many growing healthcare organizations: keeping pace with rising patient volumes and expanding care locations — all while maintaining consistency and safety in women’s health imaging. 

Across more than 30 sites, ultrasound workflows were fragmented and paper-based. Reports could take up to a week to complete, and sharing studies across facilities was difficult. As the system prepared for continued growth, it needed a modern foundation that could support collaboration and scale. 

That’s when Lee Health turned to AS Software’s cloud-based ultrasound reporting and workflow platform, purpose-built for women’s health. 

Building a Consistent Standard of Care 

The move to AS Cloud was a system-wide redesign of how ultrasound care is delivered. 

  • Reports are now completed within 24 hours (vs. 4-7 days before), with physicians able to review and sign off from anywhere 
  • Real-time collaboration allows the system’s clinical educator to view scans remotely and guide sonographers in the moment, improving training and accuracy 
  • Patients see results immediately in MyChart, strengthening communication and trust 
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“I can now provide real-time feedback to our sonographers while they consult on current cases. It’s elevated both the speed and quality of our clinical decision-making.”
– Matthew Atack, Clinical System Educator, Lee Health

Driving Growth and Opportunity 

Beyond faster reporting, digitization has created a foundation for long-term innovation: 

  • Standardized workflows mean sonographers and physicians across every site work from the same playbook, improving consistency and reducing duplicate imaging 
  • Expanded educational capacity supports the upcoming OB/GYN residency program (launching 2026) and strengthens Lee Health’s partnership with local universities to build a regional pipeline of specialists 
  • Collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine extends high-risk maternal care into the community through shared access to the same AS platform 
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“AS Software gives our sonographers and physicians the tools they need to do their jobs more accurately and efficiently.”
– Matthew Atack, Clinical System Educator, Lee Health

A Model for Scalable, Specialty-Specific Care 

Lee Health’s experience demonstrates how cloud technology can help healthcare systems not only improve speed, but elevate quality, safety, and opportunity. With one connected platform for women’s health ultrasound, they’ve built a model that scales — from local clinics to academic partnerships and beyond. 

Read the full case study to see how digital innovation is transforming women’s health ultrasound at Lee Health — and what it takes to make change system-wide.

Sonographers are the unsung heroes of healthcare—combining technical precision with compassionate care. Every image they capture has the power to shape a diagnosis, guide treatment, and impact a patient’s life. Yet too often, their work takes place behind the scenes, with little public recognition.

The Sonography Impact Awards were created to change that. Now in their third year, these awards shine a spotlight on the individuals who elevate the profession, inspire their colleagues, and make a difference for patients and communities alike.

A Look Back: 2024 Sonography Impact Awards

In 2024, we proudly celebrated sonographers who exemplify excellence in leadership, teamwork, and community advocacy. Each winner demonstrated not only exceptional technical expertise but also the compassion and dedication that define the sonography profession.

  • Elizabeth Fox, RDMS – Inspiring Leader: Honored for her outstanding contributions to patient care, mentorship, and advancing ultrasound programs across her organization.
  • Sarah Permelia, RDMS – Team Player: Recognized for her collaboration, clinical mastery, and unwavering commitment to supporting colleagues and elevating patient outcomes.
  • Erica Wiencek, BS, RDMS, RVT – Community Advocate: Celebrated for her visionary work with Sonocratic and her dedication to empowering students, underserved communities, and the next generation of sonographers.

These honorees embody the very best of the profession, setting a high standard for sonographers everywhere. Their achievements continue to inspire as we look forward to honoring the next class of winners in 2025.

The 2025 Categories: Expanding Recognition

This year, we’ve expanded the categories to reflect the many ways sonographers contribute to healthcare and beyond.

  • Clinical Excellence Award: Celebrating sonographers whose precision and expertise consistently deliver outstanding diagnostic outcomes and improve patient care.
  • Patient Care Champion: Honoring individuals who go above and beyond in providing comfort, empathy, and support during some of a patient’s most vulnerable moments.
  • Innovator in Practice: Recognizing sonographers who embrace new techniques, technologies, or workflows that enhance the profession and elevate standards of care.
  • Mentor & Educator Award: Highlighting those who share their knowledge generously—whether by training colleagues, guiding students, or contributing to professional growth.
  • Community Impact Award: Celebrating sonographers who extend their dedication beyond the workplace, giving back through advocacy, outreach, or service in their local communities.

Nominations are now open, and we encourage all healthcare professionals to participate in recognizing the contributions of their colleagues.

How to Participate

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Sonography Impact Awards! If you know a sonographer who embodies these qualities, we encourage you to share their story.

Nominate a Colleague: Submit their name, award category, and a short description of why they deserve recognition.

Deadline: Nominations close October 22, 2025.

Winners Announced: Honorees will be revealed at the end of October, in celebration of Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month.

Award Recipients Receive: A curated wellness care box from AS Software

By participating, you not only honor remarkable individuals but also help elevate the visibility of the entire sonography profession.

Nominate a Sonographer

Every October, Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (MUAM) gives us a special opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize the people whose work brings ultrasound imaging to life — sonographers.

Our theme for this year, “Recognizing Sonographers Who Inspire,” reminds us that inspiration in healthcare comes not just from innovation, but from compassion — from the professionals who bring care, clarity, and comfort to every scan.

At AS Software, we’re celebrating MUAM by spotlighting you — the sonographers who inspire your patients, colleagues, and the broader medical community every single day.

How to Join the Celebration

We’re sending a special AS Software MUAM gift to sonographers who share their stories this month.

Here’s how to take part:

  1. Fill out the form at the end of this page
    So we know where to send your gift.
  2. Download your “This Is Why I Scan” graphic
    You’ll receive it by email after completing the form.
  3. Share your story on LinkedIn
    Post your “This Is Why I Scan” graphic and tell your story. Tell us what inspires you as a sonographer, or a moment that has stayed with you, or why you love what you do.

Use #MUAM and tag AS Software so we can celebrate with you. Once you’ve completed all three steps, you’ll receive your MUAM appreciation gift as our thank-you for your dedication and impact.

Why We’re Recognizing Sonographers

Behind every image is a professional who brings empathy, expertise, and excellence to their work. Sonographers don’t just capture scans — they comfort patients, collaborate with care teams, and translate complex technology into compassionate care.

We see your impact in every moment of clarity you bring to patients and providers alike. That’s why we’re dedicating this month to you — the sonographers who inspire us every day.

Join Us in Celebrating You

This month, let’s make sure the people behind the images get their moment in the spotlight.


Because celebrating ultrasound means celebrating you — the professionals who make a difference with every scan.

Fill out the form to join the celebration.

Ultrasound has long been valued as a safe, cost-effective imaging modality. But in today’s healthcare environment, it has evolved far beyond its traditional role in obstetrics and gynecology. It’s now central to cardiology, vascular care, oncology, musculoskeletal medicine, and is increasingly used at the point of care in emergency and critical settings.

This shift is good news for patients — ultrasound is non-invasive, widely accessible, and produces results faster than many other imaging methods. But for health systems, the expansion comes with challenges. Growing exam volumes, more complex imaging datasets, and the migration of services into outpatient and ambulatory settings mean that traditional ways of managing ultrasound no longer scale.

The Problem with Staying Siloed

Despite these changes, many organizations are still managing ultrasound through fragmented, legacy systems. These disconnected platforms create operational drag at every level:

  • Costs rise as IT teams maintain multiple vendor contracts and duplicate infrastructure
  • Clinicians waste time toggling between systems or repeating studies when priors aren’t accessible.
  • Compliance risks increase as reporting delays put organizations at odds with evolving interoperability mandates.
  • Revenue is lost when manual charge capture and incomplete documentation drive denials and reimbursement delays

Remaining siloed is no longer just inefficient — it’s a strategic risk.

Industry Forces Accelerating Change

Several powerful forces are converging to make modernization urgent:

  • Utilization growth: Imaging volumes are projected to rise by 10–14% over the next decade
  • Workforce strain: Ultrasound exams in the U.S. increased by 55% from 2011–2021, but the number of sonographers grew by only 44%, leaving open positions rising by more than a third
  • Regulatory pressure: The 21st Century Cures Act and FHIR adoption timelines are raising the bar on patient data access and interoperability.

For leaders, these trends mean one thing: ultrasound can no longer be treated as a departmental tool. It must be managed as an enterprise asset.

The Path Forward

Modernization doesn’t have to mean replacing everything at once. The most successful health systems start with clear governance and measurable targets — things like report turnaround times, first-pass clean claim rates, and percentage of priors retrieved at the point of care. They prioritize vendor-neutral platforms that work across EHRs, PACS, and devices, and they stage rollouts to prove value quickly

Learn More

Our new white paper, The Future of Ultrasound in Enterprise Health Systems, explores these trends in depth. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Data on the forces driving ultrasound’s rapid growth.
  • The economic and workforce risks of staying siloed.
  • Practical steps to modernize ultrasound IT — without disrupting care delivery.

If you missed the live session, you can watch it on demand!

Explore the unique needs of women’s health and ultrasound care – and see how AS Software’s solution supports them while continuing to evolve in the face of changing care environments.

Originally aired: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 | 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET 

What You’ll Learn

Women’s health care teams face unique workflows, documentation requirements, and collaboration needs. In this session we’ll cover:  

    • The specific challenges and requirements of women’s health ultrasound workflows
    • How AS Software supports OBGYN, MFM, and other practices with tailored features and scalability across the enterprise
    • A sneak peek at exciting product updates coming soon to support your evolving needs

Featuring:

Kerry Faulk
Clinical Solutions Manager

Neha Iyer
Marketing Manager

Register Today!

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2025 conference at the Gaylord Rockies, January 27–February 1, brought together thought leaders, researchers, and clinicians to discuss the latest advancements in AI, clinical informatics, telemedicine, and maternal health equity. AS Software was proud to be part of the conversation as an exhibitor, where we engaged with industry professionals and gained valuable insights into the future of MFM care delivery.

Here are the key takeaways from the most impactful sessions at this year’s event. 

Bringing AI and Informatics into MFM Workflows

The Luncheon Roundtable: Practical Tips for Incorporating AI and Clinical Informatics Into an MFM Practice explored how AI and informatics enhance documentation, clinical decision-making, and workflow efficiency.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):

  • NYU‘s 11,000-patient RPM program actively manages 3,000 patients at any time, improving maternal glycemic control and reducing preeclampsia and neonatal hyperglycemia.
  • AI-driven predictive modeling is helping providers proactively identify high-risk patients and intervene earlier.

AI in Documentation & Billing:

  • AI solutions are streamlining clinical note reconciliation and automating denial letters, saving valuable time for providers.
  • NYU has also introduced a HIPAA-compliant ChatGPT platform to assist in clinical decision support and research.

Change Management for AI Adoption:

  • Melissa Wong, MD (Cedars-Sinai) highlighted principles from the book “Switch” (Heath & Heath) to drive adoption of AI-driven workflows.
  • The key? Find the feeling, shrink the change, and rally the herd—emphasizing incremental improvements, peer learning, and leadership buy-in.

Action Items for Practices: 
✔ Pilot AI-generated clinical notes and orders. 
✔ Align AI initiatives with institutional goals to drive adoption. 
✔ Work with IT to integrate CGM data into the EHR and predict glucose trends.

Addressing Maternal Health Deserts

The Quenching the Gap in Maternal-Fetal Health Deserts session tackled the pressing issue of maternity care facility shortages in rural areas.

The Crisis:

  • 35% of U.S. counties lack birthing facilities
  • Over 1,100 counties in the U.S. are without a single birthing facility in their country.
  • 1 in 12 women in the U.S. are affected by Maternal Health Deserts
  • Impacting 7 million women and 500,000 babies.
  • 200 rural hospital closures in the past decade have forced patients to travel long distances for maternity care.
  • By 2030, the number of obstetricians is expected to decrease by 7% while demand is projected to increase by 4%

Contributing Factors to Maternal Health Deserts

  • Geographic isolation
  • Economic barriers
  • Work Force shortages
  • Cultural/language barriers

3 Proposed Solutions:

  1. Diversifying the Perinatal Workforce: Expanding collaboration between family medicine physicians, midwives, and OB-GYNs.
  2. Specialized Transport Teams: The Stork 1 team (University of Texas San Antonio) demonstrated how high-performance transport teams reduce risks for high-risk pregnancies in rural areas. States like New Mexico, are awarding an annual rolling $4 million grant for programs like these.
  3. Telemedicine & Remote Ultrasound: Virtual visits, remote monitoring, and AI-assisted ultrasound are closing care gaps in underserved regions. Practices like Dr. Ruma’s group in New Mexico have used teleultrasound to expand access to care, increasing patient visits from 0 to 5,000 in three years.

Action Items for Practices: 
✔ Partner with family medicine and primary care providers to extend maternity care in rural areas.

✔ Create networks that improve continuity and training rural obstetricians. 
✔ Develop a telemedicine and RPM blueprint to expand access. 

✔ Advocate for policies supporting family medicine’s role in maternity care. 

Community Engagement to Improve Perinatal Outcomes

Another key theme at SMFM 2025 was bridging healthcare gaps through community involvement.

Birth Equity Initiatives:

  • A July 2021 initiative increased social determinants of health (SDOH) screening from 17% to 100% in hospitals.
  • Strategies included standardizing race/ethnicity data and building stronger patient-provider relationships.

Doulas & Community Partnerships:

  • Tennessee’s doula training program has improved maternal health literacy, trust, and patient outcomes.
  • Hospitals are exploring ways to integrate doulas into clinical teams through targeted training and policy updates.

Action Items for Practices: 
✔ Implement SDOH screening in labor & delivery.
✔ Build partnerships with community organizations for better referrals.
✔ Train nurses & staff on doula collaboration.

Obstetric Innovation That Transcends Care Settings

The Philips-sponsored symposium with Perinatal Associates of New Mexico explored how technology is transforming obstetric care across rural and urban settings.

Telemedicine Expansion:

  • Ouma, a telehealth company, provides midwifery and behavioral health services to underserved areas, improving maternal health outcomes.
  • The growth of remote non-stress tests (NSTs) is making antenatal surveillance more accessible and affordable.

AI-Powered Ultrasound:

  • AI applications in ultrasound automation are reducing scan time, increasing accuracy, and improving workflow efficiency.
  • Future innovations aim to combine CGM data with ultrasound imaging to predict persistent diagnoses.

Action Items for Practices:

✔ Explore AI-powered solutions to automate ultrasound protocols. 
✔ Expand telemedicine services for perinatal care. 
✔ Engage with patient communities to understand their digital health needs.

Looking Ahead: How AS Software is Supporting These Advancements

AS Software is committed to supporting MFM providers by delivering cutting-edge ultrasound automation, AI-driven workflow efficiencies, and telemedicine-friendly reporting solutions.

  • Remote Diagnostic Access: AS Software enables real-time, cloud-based ultrasound reporting, reducing the need for in-person visits.
  • Seamless AI Integration: Our system integrates with EHRs and AI-powered documentation tools, improving efficiency and billing accuracy.
  • Scalable Solutions for Rural Care: Our vendor-neutral, cloud-hosted solution supports telemedicine and remote diagnostics, ensuring patients in maternal health deserts get the care they need.

Want to learn more? Connect with our team to discuss how we can help your practice elevate MFM care.

Sources SMFM 2025 Sessions:

Engaging Communities to Improve Perinatal Outcomes

Chair: Ann EB Borders, MD, MPH, MSc (she/her/hers) – Endeavor Health, Evanston Hospital

Chair: Ebony B. Carter, MD (she/her/hers) – University of North Carolina

Chair: Rolanda Lister, MD (she/her/hers) – Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Practical Tips For Incorporating AI and Clinical Informatics Into An MFM Practice 

Roundtable Leader: Hye J. Heo, MD (she/her/hers) – NYU Langone Health System 

Roundtable Presenter: Melissa S. Wong, MD, MS (she/her/hers) – Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 

Obstetric Innovation that transcends care settings

Industry Session Presenter: Michael Ruma, MD, MPH – Perinatal Associates of New Mexico

Industry Session Presenter: Sina Haeri, MD, MHSA – Ouma Health

Industry Session Presenter: Richie Broth, MD – TLC PERINATAL

Quenching the Gap in Maternal Health Deserts 

Roundtable Leader: Alixandria F. Pfeiffer, DO – University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 

Join the AS Software Team at Booth 723

January 27 — February 1, 2025

Join us as we connect with leaders and decision-makers shaping the future of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine. This event is your opportunity to explore groundbreaking ultrasound technology that enhances both your work and your patients’ care, all while connecting with colleagues from around the globe. To learn more and register, visit the SMFM 2025 event site.

Experience Ultrasound, Automated.

Visit us at Booth 723 to explore how a smarter, automated, ultrasound platform can streamline your workflow to increase productivity across the enterprise. Experience live demos showcasing how automation enhances patient care while simplifying image management, reporting and billing.

  • Reduce your manual workload
  • Capture crucial data points with less errors
  • Report results faster
  • Improve billing and claims success
  • Integrate seamlessly with your EHR and other radiology systems

Find a time to meet with us using the calendar below. We’re excited to not only showcase our platform, but discuss some of our latest enhancements, including:

  • Automated Coding and Billing: Reduce errors and simplify administrative tasks with dynamic billing automation.
  • Enhanced Authentication and Authorization: Improve security with a streamlined login experience.
  • Professional Services Packages: Tailored offerings to maximize the value of your investment.

Select a Time at Booth 723:

Meet the Team

Poornima Gopalakrishnan

CEO

Connect with Poornima

Derek DellaVecchia

RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RMSR

Sr. Account Executive

Connect with Derek

Mark Scott

Executive Director, Business

Development & Alliances

Connect with Mark

Stephanie Gunter

Vice President,

Marketing

Connect with Stephanie

Aaron Wimer

PMP, Vice President

Client Services

Connect with Aaron

Nicole Wosje

Vice President

Product

Connect with Nicole

Kerry Faulk

BS, RT(S), RDMS, RRDCS

Clinical Solutions

Manager

Connect with Kerry

Melanie Young

RDMS OBGYN, CLEAR, NT

Clinical Consultant

Connect with Melanie

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the exceptional dedication, expertise, and compassion that sonographers bring to their patients and communities. Each of these award winners embodies healthcare excellence and has made a lasting impact in their field. Join us in honoring these outstanding individuals who set the standard for patient care and professional leadership.

Elizabeth Fox

Lead Sonographer, RDMS

Reed Family Maternal Fetal Clinic

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Inspiring Leader Winner

“Elizabeth is exceptionally deserving for her outstanding contributions to patient care and ultrasound advancement.”
“Her expertise goes beyond technical proficiency, with a deep understanding of fetal pathology that guides accurate diagnoses.”
“Elizabeth mentors sonographers, ensuring the next generation upholds the highest standards of care.”
“Her empathy, combined with clinical expertise, creates a comforting environment that patients deeply appreciate.”
“Leaders and IT experts across our enterprise lean on her expertise as we grow our ultrasound program.”

Sarah Permelia

Sonographer, RDMS

Maternal Fetal Medicine

Novant Health

Team Player Winner

“Sarah embodies an ideal blend of compassion, expertise, and leadership.”
“Her mastery of imaging is remarkable, catching subtle abnormalities that may have gone unnoticed.”
“She is the ultimate team player, collaborating seamlessly with sonographers, clerical staff, and physicians.”
“Her expertise and demeanor naturally inspire trust and respect from her colleagues.”
“Sarah is a remarkable sonographer, compassionate clinician, lifelong learner, supportive teammate, and confident leader.”

Erica Wiencek

Sonographer, BS, RDMS, RVT

McLaren Health Care

Sonocratic

Community Advocate Winner

“Erica personifies the community advocate award.”
“She founded Sonocratic to support low-resource sonographers and inspire underserved students to pursue careers in radiologic imaging.”
“Through the MSS, Erica pioneered a case study poster competition to empower students to share research with their peers.”
“Each project Erica takes on is intended to serve her community or her profession at large.”

We also extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who submitted nominations, shining a light on so many remarkable professionals. Congratulations, again to the 2024 winners!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to highlight the need for effective breast cancer screening methods. While mammography remains a cornerstone of early detection, it can have limitations, particularly for individuals with dense breast tissue. For these women, supplementing mammograms with ultrasound can significantly improve screening outcomes by identifying cancers that might otherwise go undetected.

Dense Breast Tissue and Cancer Detection Challenges

Dense breast tissue is common in 40-50% of women aged 40-74 and consists of more glandular and connective tissue. On a mammogram, dense tissue appears white—similar to how tumors appear—making it challenging to distinguish between healthy tissue and potential malignancies (Mayo Clinic). Research indicates that up to 50% of breast cancers may be missed in women with dense breasts when relying on mammograms alone. Additionally, according to Susan G. Komen®, dense breast tissue not only increases the risk of missed cancers but also modestly raises the likelihood of developing breast cancer itself.

Why Ultrasound Makes a Difference

Ultrasound is a valuable, non-invasive, radiation-free imaging option that improves breast cancer detection, especially for women with dense breast tissue. By highlighting areas of concern, it helps healthcare providers differentiate between benign and malignant masses. Yale Medicine emphasizes that ultrasound can improve cancer detection, complementing mammography and revealing cancers that may be obscured in dense tissue.

Advancements such as AI-powered imaging, 3D/4D capabilities, and cloud-enabled solutions further enhance the precision and efficiency of screenings. These innovations assist radiologists in accurately characterizing lesions, streamline clinical workflows through integration with electronic health records (EHR), and support faster, more confident diagnoses and treatment decisions.

Empowering Providers and Patients

Advanced ultrasound technology empowers both patients and healthcare providers. For patients, it offers a more comfortable screening option that enhances the accuracy of breast cancer detection without the use of radiation. For providers, it means access to advanced tools that support better decision-making and patient outcomes.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, raising awareness about the benefits of supplemental ultrasound screening for those with dense breast tissue is an important step toward empowering patients and reducing breast cancer risks. To learn more, explore insights from Yale Medicine and resources from Susan G. Komen®.