UAB Heersink School of Medicine and Global Ultrasound Institute Partner in Leading POCUS Training | Feb 2025 Newsletter

At the forefront of modern medical advancements, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is rapidly transforming patient care. In a strong commitment to both educational excellence and technological innovation, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine’s Department of Medical Education has teamed up with the Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI) to provide state-of-the-art POCUS training for faculty, residents, and students.

The Power of POCUS in Clinical Practice

POCUS represents a significant leap forward in diagnostic technology, allowing clinicians to make rapid, accurate diagnoses at the bedside. Through hands-on sessions led by GUSI’s expert team—including Mena Ramos, M.D., Co-Founder and Co-CEO of GUSI, along with instructors Ian Thomas, Angelina Voronina, Tim Kinney, Kinner Patel, Ben Beduhn, Will Dixon, Fatema Hassam, Eva Tovar Hirashima, Tom Heller, Sebastian Schoneich, Nea Salas, Sally Graglia, Jason Chen, Keasha Guerrier, and Kimberly Okoyeze—participants  gain firsthand experience in leveraging POCUS to enhance clinical assessments.

Comprehensive Training with Real-World Impact

GUSI’s training model is built around interactive, practical exercises, which cover a wide range of imaging techniques in cardiac, pulmonary, abdominal, vascular, and musculoskeletal imaging. With a focus on simplicity and ease of use, POCUS enables healthcare providers to perform on-the-spot diagnostics that would otherwise require costly and time-consuming formal imaging procedures. This is particularly beneficial in emergency or resource-limited environments where timely decision-making is essential.

Faculty participants have had the unique opportunity to operate POCUS devices on standardized patients, with guidance from GUSI staff, to understand the profound impact this technology has on patient examination. UAB’s continued focus on faculty training further solidifies its commitment to staying at the cutting edge of medical education and innovation.

 

A Valuable Opportunity for Students

Not only have faculty and residents benefited from these training sessions, but UAB has also actively encouraged its students to participate, recognizing the valuable learning experience GUSI provides. Students have had the chance to engage both as trainees alongside faculty and as standardized patients during ultrasound demonstrations, gaining hands-on experience that will serve them throughout their careers.

“I want to learn everything! I don’t think I would’ve learned this much in a single day if it weren’t for this course. It’s been exciting, and I’m learning so much.” – Jinali Shah, Narendra Modi Medical College, India

“This training gives us a way to actively contribute in clinical settings rather than just observing. Learning ultrasound allows us to play a more hands-on role in patient care, making us more effective as future doctors.”    – Yalnaz Mohasin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain

“It was intensive, packed with high-quality training, and even better than I expected! We covered all systems, and I never thought I could acquire these skills so easily. Now, I don’t just see the holistic picture—I see it through the lens of ultrasound. It’s a game-changer in clinical decision-making.” – Chakib Khouri, University of Balamand in Lebanon

 

 

A Lasting Impact on Medical Practice

The feedback from participants speaks to the effectiveness of the training. Michael Oler, Associate Professor at UAB’s Selma Family Medicine Residency, shared his enthusiasm after attending the workshops: “This is the best course I’ve had in 45 years of continuing medical education. It’s changed the way I practice more than any other course and it comes at the end of my career. I very much appreciate it.”

 

Expanding the Future of Medical Education

The coordinated effort between UAB and GUSI marks a major milestone in the integration of POCUS technology into medical education. By expanding access to this training, the partnership is paving the way for future advancements in bedside diagnostics, with the potential to transform healthcare delivery worldwide.

As UAB continues to strengthen its leadership in medical education, GUSI remains proud to be a part of this transformative journey—empowering clinicians with the tools and skills needed to make life-saving decisions at the point of care.