The Ultrasounds perform at Scott Hall.

Meticulous attention to detail; the desire to excel; hours of dedication and hard work … sounds like the type of stuff that would help one succeed in medical school. Throw in a flair for showmanship, a lively sense of humor and a pretty darn good voice, and you have the makings of an Ultrasound.

Created in 1997 by then first year medical student, Jacalyn Lesser, Ultrasounds is an a cappella singing group made up entirely of WSU School of Medicine students.

In addition to periodic performances at senior centers and other such venues, the group has two official concerts, one in the fall and one in the spring, each academic year. The 1999-2000 version of the group gave its final performance this past April to a packed house in Scott Hall’s Blue Auditorium.

In addition to extended rehearsals leading up to performances, group members routinely rehearse 2 to 3 hours a week throughout the school year. Although the rigors of medical school can make it difficult for students to devote the time necessary for a successful show, Ultrasounds coordinator and year II student, Kim Freese Beal, finds the challenge rewarding. “It’s actually more fun than it is tough. A lot of times, rehearsal is the most relaxing part of my day,” Beal said.

As is the case every fall, the Ultrasounds will have a crop of new faces and voices for the 2000-2001 academic year. As second year students move onto their third year clinical rotations, it is up to the junior members of the group to fill the leadership void and recruit new members.

Far from being problematic, this constant turnover in membership is part of what makes the Ultrasounds so special. Now in her third year of medical school, Ultrasounds founder Jacalyn Lesser points out that big part of forming an organization like this is to see it carry on.

Lesser formed the group after performing with the Amazin’ Blue a cappella troupe as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan and, although she admits to missing her days of performing, she firmly states that she is now content just to be a fan. “After all the work, it’s nice to be able to see it now from the outside looking in,” she says with a smile.

1999-2000 Ultrasounds

Melissa Barton              Year II
Kim Freese Beal           Year II
Eric Bershad                 Year II
Rob Cohen                   Year II
Pat Herek                     Year I
Mike Ingber                 Year II
Pamela Anne Jackson   Year I
Grishma Joshi               Year I
Jill Knapp                     Year II
Jeremy Lipshutz            Year II
Krystie McKinney        Year II
Brian Meyers                Year II
Matt Mukherjee           Year II
Michelle Theisen           Year I
Nathan Wagstaff           Year II