Let’s learn more about Emily Stamaris, our fifth preceptor in this Shadowing: Behind the Scenes Series!
Emily Stamaris, BS, RDMS, RVT, is a deaf sonographer working at South Shore Health in Boston, Massachusetts.
Growing up in New Jersey, Stamaris aspired to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor. She began her studies at Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Science as a pre‑med major but encountered challenges during her studies. Discovering ultrasound offered a new direction that led to her career in sonography.
Stamaris began her career at Genesee Hospital in Rochester, New York, before joining South Shore Health in Boston, Massachusetts, where she continues to work today. Her dedication and expertise were featured in the organization’s Colleague Spotlight series — take a peek into her workplace!
Peek into Emily’s experience as a shadowing mentor
Emily shared her reflections on her shadowing preceptorship experience.
As a healthcare professional, have you experienced shadowing someone before you decided your career path?
Yes! I shadowed a sonographer who happened to be hard of hearing at the Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey, where my dad works! MMH is now known as Morristown Medical Center.
How did your shadowing experience influence your career choice?
Not everyone will know exactly what their job as a sonographer will entail. Shadowing someone gives them an idea of what to expect on a day-to-day basis and what is expected of the sonographer. They will see how the sonographer communicates with the patients, how they complete preliminary reports, and how to relay the critical findings to the radiologists. Because of my shadowing, I had an idea of what was expected of me as a sonographer if I had decided to pursue a career in diagnostic medical sonography.
What advice would you like to share with prospective Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing trainees?
Always advocate for yourself and ask lots of questions! The diagnostic medical sonography field changes constantly. Be prepared for lots of moving parts at the workplace - new protocols, colleagues come and go. I pride myself in being reliable, punctual, enthusiastic, professional, and being a perfectionist. I work twice as hard, and it shows because my manager and the radiologists notice. I encourage all Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing trainees to do the same! You want to earn your peers’ respect that way.
Wishing the MSSP trainees all the best!
Emily Stamaris’ shadowing mentee: Caty Goodman, BS, RDMS
As a second-year student, Caty traveled to Boston where she shadowed Emily for three days, gaining practical guidance on working with patients and colleagues. Her experience at South Shore Health gave her fresh perspective and bolstered her confidence to complete her academic journey and succeed on her exams.
While still completing clinical rotations, Caty passed the rigorous Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination, which assesses knowledge of ultrasound physics and its applications. She graduated in May 2025, earned both the Abdominal and Obstetrics/Gynecology registry credentials, and soon after began her professional career at Greenwich Hospital within the Yale New Haven Health system.
