Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Program
About the Program
Rather than the traditional “block” approach that many other programs utilize, USA Health employs a longitudinal approach to its ultrasound curriculum. Throughout the PGY1 year, each peds or adult EM block with have built-in protected time for ultrasound scanning shifts. Instead of regular clinical duties, residents will have hands-on teaching sessions with ultrasound faculty members, scanning actual patients in the ER. Their didactic education will come from asynchronous modules and videos, simulation, and lectures scattered throughout the year. This allows us to gradually build their ultrasound skills over time, with each subsequent week reinforcing and expanding upon previous learning.
National Representation
USA Health sponsors a team of emergency medicine residents annually to participate in the SAEM SonoGames. This national ultrasound competition for point-of-care ultrasound features an exciting educational format where teams compete in costume. Beyond SonoGames, our ultrasound team bonds with faculty in informal evening gatherings, strengthens relationships with fellow residents, and attends the broader SAEM conference.
Pediatric Ultrasound
USA Health’s emergency medicine residency distinguishes itself through the integration of pediatric ultrasound into the curriculum. We are fortunate to have both adult ultrasound faculty and a fellowship-trained pediatric ultrasound specialist. Residents will become proficient in applications such as appendix, pyloric and intussusception ultrasound, among many others.
Raising the Bar
Our program recognizes that proficiency in bedside ultrasound is crucial for success in both community and academic emergency medicine. We exceed the basic ACGME requirements to achieve this goal. By graduation, residents will have completed at least 300 combined studies across all the adult and pediatric applications including exposure to endocavitary ultrasound.
The Future
Our program is growing. As we grow our faculty, we plan to introduce an ultrasound fellowship and a TEE program for ultrasound during cardiac resuscitation. We currently have three state-of-the-art ultrasound machines in our main emergency department, as well as dedicated machines in both our pediatric ED and our freestanding ED.
Faculty Spotlight
Timothy “Beau” Stokes, M.D., Director of EM Ultrasound
Dr. Stokes brings a wealth of experience and passion to our department. A Michigan native, he has distinguished himself as a leader in the field of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). His expertise has been instrumental in establishing two successful ultrasound programs, showcasing his ability to build and nurture cutting-edge medical initiatives from the ground up. Whether he’s training residents in the latest POCUS techniques or conducting ultrasound research, Dr. Stokes’ work ethic and innovative spirit continue to drive excellence in our emergency medicine program.
Reshvinder Dhillon, M.D., Director of Pediatric Ultrasound
Dr. Dhillon serves as our dedicated Director of Pediatric Ultrasound, bringing specialized expertise to our youngest patients. After completing his fellowship in Buffalo, New York, he honed his skills in pediatric emergency medicine and point-of-care ultrasound. His passion for teaching shines through in his work with residents, where he skillfully imparts both clinical knowledge and practical skills. Dr. Dhillon's unique interest in medical billing adds a valuable dimension to his role, ensuring that our department stays at the forefront of both clinical excellence and operational efficiency. His multifaceted approach to pediatric emergency care, combining cutting-edge ultrasound techniques with a keen understanding of healthcare systems, makes him an invaluable asset to our team and the families we serve.