October 20, 2008 - The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) has recognized Cindy Rapp, Medipattern's vice president of Clinical Program Development, as the 2008 recipient of the Joan P. Baker Pioneer Award, for research that establishes that ultrasound technology can be used to differentiate breast lesions as benign or malignant.
The award established to honor sonographers who have made outstanding contributions in the profession. The Pioneer Award is awarded to those members who have made focused contributions and have created innovative new directions for sonography.
Ms. Rapp, BS, RDMS, FSDMS, FAIUM, was one of the co-authors of the landmark paper "Solid Breast Nodules: Use of Sonography to Distinguish between Benign and Malignant Lesions" with A. Thomas Stavros (the chairman of Medipattern's advisory board), M.D., David Thickman, M.D., Mark Dennis, M.D., Steve Parker, M.D., and Gale Sisney, M.D. The paper was published in Radiology in 1995 (196 123-124). This body of work establishes that ultrasound technology can be used effectively to differentiate breast lesions as benign or malignant with a high degree of confidence. Prior to this effort, it was widely believed that the primary role for ultrasound was to establish whether a lesion was solid or cystic or to guide a needle for biopsy. The paper is the basis for the criteria to evaluate breast lesions based upon ultrasound image information. The criteria originally established in the paper, formed the basis for what was to become the American College of Radiology's (ACR) Breast Ultrasound Breast Imaging Report and Data System (BI-RADS(R)). The ACR officially adopted BI-RADS for breast ultrasound in 2003 and it is the approved methodology for reviewing breast ultrasound imaging today.
Ms. Rapp has been involved in sonography for approximately 25 years. An active member of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), Ms. Rapp received Fellowship into both organizations in 2001. She was also actively involved with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), where she chaired the task force for the Breast Ultrasound Registry. Ms. Rapp routinely lectures nationally and internationally on various ultrasound topics with an expressed emphasis in breast sonography. She has authored numerous sonographic chapters, articles and award winning scientific exhibits. In 2000, she received the prestigious Kenneth R. Gottesfeld award of excellence for her publication in the JDMS "Ultrasound of Abdominal Wall Hernias".
Ms. Rapp also received the distinguished sonographer of the year award from the AIUM in 2005.
For more information: www.medipattern.com
March 13, 2026 
