April 20, 2022

Moses Hdeib, program director and clinical professor for the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (DMU) program, will retire Sept. 1 after 22 years of service to MU.

During his tenure, Dr. Hdeib created Missouri’s first bachelor’s program for Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, and the first master’s program for Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound in the United States. Both were approved by the Board of Curators in October of 2001.

“Mizzou DMU is a well-regarded and nationally recognized program that far exceeds accreditation standards,” said Kathy Moss, chair of the Department of Clinical & Diagnostic Sciences. “Our graduates successfully challenge multiple board examinations and fill a critical workforce demand for highly skilled sonographers.”

“The eve of my retirement is a time for deep reflection and evaluation of my professional legacy,” Dr. Hdeib said. “My three decades in higher education in DMU, more than two of which were at the University of Missouri, allowed me to apply my medical knowledge and experience for the benefit of students who were knocking at the gates of the noble profession of medical ultrasound.”

Under Dr. Hdeib’s teaching and leadership, more than 20 cohorts of DMU students have graduated from the program, with many of these students going on to become leaders in their field, program directors in higher education, and researchers at other universities. Dr. Hdeib also encouraged his students to participate in research, resulting in awards at annual conferences of their professional organizations.

“Students consistently express appreciation for Dr. Hdeib’s charisma, knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm,” Dr. Moss said. “His steadfast commitment to the program has positioned it for continued success in the future.”

Dr. Hdeib’s successor is Alice Townsend, who will join the department in August. Townsend is a graduate of the Mizzou DMU program, and for the past five years has served as the director of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri.