Douglas Dunstatter, PhD, RDCS, RDMS, RVT

Douglas Dunstatter is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where he is also a proud alumnus. He holds a Master’s in Healthcare Policy and Management and completed his PhD in Leadership with a minor in information systems.  With over two decades of experience in both hospital and private healthcare settings, he has held various roles, including sonographer, clinical supervisor, training and development coordinator,  applications specialist, and consultant.

Dr. Dunstatter has extensive experience in managing quality assurance processes, optimizing operational workflows, developing curricula, and mentoring students. His research focuses on competency-based education and innovation in sonography, with presentations at leading conferences such as AIUM. Combined with his service as an editorial board member of the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, this showcases his dedication to advancing the field.

Dr. Dunstatter teaches and has taught cardiovascular and general sonography courses, in addition to Professional Seminars & Administrative Techniques and Cross-sectional anatomy. Passionate about patient care, he believes in making each patient feel valued and comfortable, enriching the educational experience for his students. He is also a recipient of Downstate's Dr. Donald Scherl Faculty Excellence award for demonstrating innovations in teaching, professional and community services, contributions to the college, and student advocacy, support and service beyond student advisement. 

Peer-Reviewed Journals

• Dunstatter D. Beyond Accuracy—Artificial Intelligence as a Guided Comparison tool in Sonography Education: A Mixed-Methods Study. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Published online September 2026. Doi:10.1177/87564793261482088.
  • Published online ahead of print. Print citation forthcoming.

• Dunstatter D. Competency-Based Methods in Cardiac Adult Sonography and its Application to Credentialing. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2021; 37(4):359-368. https://doi.org/10.1177/87564793211002502
• Dunstatter D. Competency-Based Assessment Methods in Cardiac Sonography: Students’ Perceptions and Clinical Evaluation. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 2022; 38(3): 236-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/87564793211070234

Published Abstracts and Proceedings

• Abstract & Webinar: AIUM Annual Convention, 2020. Dunstatter D, Pessin Y, Heisler D, Ozhekhovskyy O, Byun S. Various Ejection Fraction Measurements Utilizing Echocardiography Simulation in an Educational Setting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLDa4CKm-Ew
• Abstract: AIUM Annual Convention, 2018. Dunstatter D, Kamran H, Pessin Y, Stewart M, Lazar J, Boutehsaz A, Pinchasov M, Dudley S. Early Detection of Left Ventricular Failure: A Comparative Assessment of Strain and Speckle Echocardiography. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jum.14750
• Abstract: AIUM Annual Convention, 2018. Pessin Y, Dunstatter D, Li Y, Ershova Z, Asenova I. Focused Cardiac Ultrasound: What do Cardiologists and Emergency Physicians Have to Say. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jum.14750
• Abstract: AIUM Annual Convention, 2017. Dunstatter D, Pessin Y, Hodges T, Barry O, Guled L. Utilization Rate of the 3-Vessel Tracheal View in Second-Trimester Obstetric Sonograms in New York City. https://www.eventscribe.com/2017/AIUM/PosterTitles.asp?h=Posters

Presentations

• AIUM Annual Convention, 2018. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Sonography: Protecting your patient and yourself.
• SUNY Downstate’s Diagnostic Medical Imaging Programs Student Research Colloquium. Present Cardiac Case Studies.