Our ultrasound program, led by director Dr. Mike Lambert and assistant director Dr. Sam Lam, is an integral component of resident education. Ultrasound is vitally important on ED shifts and we have an additional twelve faculty members who are RDMS-certified (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer).
Our progam has had an ultrasound fellowship since 1996. Dr. Lambert is an internationally known expert in emergency ultrasound, and a number of his fellowship graduates have gone on to lead their own ultrasound programs. The fellowship curriculum emphasizes clinical instruction of the residents, with the fellow working dedicated clinical ultrasound shifts and providing hands-on bedside teaching to our residents.
All residents complete a 2 week rotation during their PGY-1 year, logging at least 80 scans. Additionally, many residents use one of their electives to complete another ultrasound rotation. The average resident at our program logs 324 scans during the course of their residency, although one resident in 2012 logged more than 1000 scans and completed his RDMS certifcation.
At the beginning of the academic year, there is a full day of conference dedicated to ultrasound skills. In addition, Drs. Lambert and Lam lead a weekly open tape review session to provide feedback to the residents on the prior week's ED ultrasounds. Additionally, Dr. Lambert and the ultrasound fellow give a series of ultrasound workshops and lectures throughout the year, covering basic and advanced ultrasound applications with ample time for hands-on practice.