Sarah McSparin, a diagnostic medical sonography student from Eldorado, Illinois, is one of only 22 students from across the United States chosen to be in the 2025 Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Foundation Emerging Leaders Program. As a member of this cohort, she will participate virtually in a variety of education opportunities related to the future of the profession and leadership volunteerism.
"I’m so honored to have been selected as a member of the SDMS Emerging Leaders Program and will do my best to represent our incredible sonography program here at USI," says Sarah.
Q&A with Sarah
Why did you choose USI? I chose USI because it felt like home. Coming from a small town, I liked the size of the campus because it wasn’t too much to take in. I visited other schools, and something felt off to me about all of them, but as soon as I took a tour here, I felt safe and at ease.
What is your major and concentration, and what led you to this career? I am majoring in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with an Echocardiography Concentration. I chose sonography because when I was in high school, I had a medical issue where I moved from doctors’ offices to ERs to OB/GYNs and eventually to surgery. I came to USI with the intention of pursuing pre-medicine, but once I was in classes, I knew it wasn’t something that I would want to do for the rest of my life. I reflected on why I wanted to join the medical field and remembered all the sonographers who had scanned me back in high school. Like many people, I had focused soley on the doctors and overlooked all of the people who helped me get better. There were so many sonographers along the way who deserve the praise for my diagnosis.
What activities have you been involved in at USI? I am vice president of the Honors Student Council, member of the Honors Program, member of the Student Ambassador Organization, an Orientation Leader, Welcome Week Leader and member of the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority
What is a favorite memory of being a USI student? My favorite memory was during Welcome Week when I was a leader for the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions during the Screagle Pride pep rally in the arena. Seeing all these new students chanting and cheering to represent the Kinney College brought pride to my heart knowing that I was in a college filled with passion for the profession.