Volunteer Connect April 2026

Volunteer Appreciation Month

For Volunteer Appreciation Month 2026, our staff wants to say a heartfelt ‘thank you.’ Check out these Staff Stories Series videos to hear directly from the Inteleos team about how they work with volunteers and why they appreciate all that you do!

Inteleos Annual Leadership Meeting Update

 

The 2026 Inteleos Annual Leadership Meeting was a resounding success, bringing together leaders, volunteers, and global stakeholders for a highly engaging and thoughtfully executed experience. From a seamless, well-organized agenda and smooth logistics to dynamic sessions and meaningful networking opportunities, the meeting created space for both strategic alignment and authentic connection.

Attendees highlighted the energy of collaboration, the value of in-person engagement with councils and peers, and the powerful insights shared through keynote speakers and breakout discussions. The combination of compelling content, intentional networking moments, and a shared commitment to advancing Inteleos’ mission fostered an environment that was not only informative, but truly inspiring – reinforcing a strong sense of community, purpose, and forward momentum across the organization.

One participant reflected, “I was so impressed with this meeting — the keynote speaker was great. The evening events were amazing. I love the people at Inteleos,” underscoring the meaningful connections, engaging programming, and vibrant community that define the Inteleos leadership experience.

 

Write to Win Item Writing Contest

In February 2026, over 30 ARDMS and APCA volunteers participated in our annual Write to Win item writing contest, contributing a total of 383 items to build up our exams.

Three winners of the first drawing of the contest have been awarded $50 Amazon gift cards. The second drawing will take place in May after the exam items have gone through clinical professional review, and the winners of this drawing will get to pick a prize of choice worth up to $500!

Learn more about the contest or contact volunteer@inteleos.org to inquire about how you can participate in next year’s contest.

 

Impact Makers of the Year 2026

This new annual award celebrates volunteers who have made sustained, meaningful contributions to ARDMS and APCA through their work on exam development, innovation, and volunteer collaboration.

ARDMS Impact Maker of the Year: Brittany Byrd, RDCS (PE, FE)
	Brittany is a pediatric cardiac sonographer with over 15 years of experience specializing in pediatric, fetal, and adult congenital echocardiography. A traveler for the last six years, she’s worked in leading children’s hospitals across the east coast. She has a passion for global outreach, having participated in multiple international and community-based initiatives focused on training local healthcare providers and expanding cardiac care, including work in Rwanda, Kenya, India, Nicaragua, and American Indian communities in the United States.Brittany exemplifies outstanding service and passion for elevating the sonography profession. “Volunteering on the Pediatric Echocardiography exam has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Brittany says. “Working alongside expert colleagues to review exam content, we’ve helped ensure exams are accurate, evidence-based, and clinically relevant while supporting rigorous credentialing that shapes the next generation of pediatric cardiac sonographers. Over the years, it has been especially rewarding to work with new sonographers right out of their programs and watch them grow into confident, capable members of our community. The pride they feel when passing their exams and joining this elite group of registered sonographers is unmatched. I’m honored to have a small role in that journey.” Brittany will be spotlighted throughout the year on social media, the volunteer newsletter, and beyond. Thanks for all you do, Brittany!
APCA Impact Maker of the Year: Dr. Rita Chorba, DPT, RMSK
	Dr. Chorba is a physical therapist specializing in musculoskeletal (MSK) triage and rapid rehabilitation in high-performance military environments. Her work focuses on reducing diagnostic uncertainty and accelerating decision-making in acute and persistent MSK cases under operational time pressure. Dr. Chorba’s work has been published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy and the Journal of Special Operations Medicine. She also serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. Dr. Chorba’s expertise and dedication have made her a standout contributor to the APCA exams—demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and excellence in every aspect of her volunteer work. “Volunteering with APCA has been personally meaningful because it supports the integrity and standards behind tools I rely on in my own work,” she says. “It allows me to bring a clinician’s perspective shaped by real-time imaging, clinical judgment, and patient care into the certification process. I’m motivated by the opportunity to help ensure MSK certification remains rigorous, relevant, and well-aligned with contemporary practice.” Dr. Chorba will be spotlighted throughout the year on social media, the volunteer newsletter, and beyond. Thanks for all you do, Dr. Chorba!