Ultrasound Fellowship
General internal medicine point-of-care ultrasound fellowship
For clinician users of Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) almost everyone can share their "lightbulb moment", where using ultrasound at the bedside changed the way they thought about a patient, and opened their eyes to the potential benefit for future patients. The Division of General Internal Medicine together with the Point-of-care Ultrasound Group at Oregon Health and Science University embraced the integration of POCUS into education and clinical care with the creation of a novel, one-year fellowship in 2016, becoming only the second of its kind in the nation at the time. Like similar Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowships, this fellowship is non-ACGME accredited.
Training program
This fellowship focuses on developing expertise in POCUS knowledge, technical performance, and clinical integration, while simultaneously preparing the fellow to be a leader in POCUS. The curriculum develops a framework for knowledge building through weekly ultrasound conferences focusing on image review, literature review, and didactic review. Technical performance expertise is enhanced by regular mentored scanning with POCUS physician faculty and/or an educational sonographer, in a variety of settings including the emergency department, cardiovascular and medical ICUs, medical wards, and various outpatient settings. Our team believes that the quality patient care is the driver for learning this technique, and the fellow will have a valued clinical role in the Internal Medicine Clinic at OHSU. In this setting the fellow is encouraged to utilize POCUS skills to guide patient care and practice clinical integration when POCUS is indicated. Fellows receive formative evidence-based feedback of their incorporation of their POCUS into their clinical decision-making. Finally, our fellowship aims to shape and prepare the trainee for future leadership opportunities. We provide additional training in developing expertise in bedside teaching, developing effective lectures, leadership, and acquiring the know-how to build a POCUS program.
Continued career development opportunities
Clinician career development is a critical focus of our team. We believe that creating excellent POCUS clinician's educators is enhanced when we support the fellow's academic and professional development. We have several methods for supporting this development.
Our Point-of-care Ultrasound Group is dedicated to the education of trainees across the institutions. These groups include, but are not limited to; medical students, physician assistant students, nursing students, residents, and post-graduate learners. Given our group's broad responsibility, the fellow will have ample opportunity to engage in teaching opportunities within the university and local community. To support the fellow's career development, we protect time and encourage the fellow to take part in the many educational scholarship offerings available through the university.
We additionally believe that being involved in research is a critical component to the continued incorporation of POCUS into clinical care and the field of internal medicine, while simultaneously building a valuable skillset in the training physician. The fellowship requires the design and implementation of at least one novel research project, including institutional review board submission, and we encourage the involvement in ongoing research projects as well.
Lastly, the international POCUS community is remarkable in regards to its warmth and enthusiasm. The fellow will have an opportunity to attend ultrasound conferences to engage and network with this community.
Facilities
Oregon Health & Science University is located in the beautiful and vibrant Pacific Northwest right in the heart of Portland. Ultrasound activities primarily occur at the University Hospital and at the state-of-the-art Robertson Life Sciences Building (RLSB). The RLSB has a state of the art simulation center which we utilize as a training center for learners.
Application
The application period will open starting September 1st with a hiring decision being made on a rolling basis
In order to apply, our group requests a one-page letter of intent, two recommendations, and a CV. An interview will follow review of your application. Please send application materials to pocus@ohsu.edu.
Point of care ultrasound group faculty
Renee Dversdal, MD, FACP
Director, OHSU Point of Care Ultrasound
General Medicine Ultrasound Assistant Fellowship Director
Kevin Piro, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
General Medicine Ultrasound Fellowship Director
Director of Internal Medicine Ultrasound Education
Christine Schutzer, BA, RDMS
Assistant Director, OHSU Point of Care Ultrasound
Educational Sonographer
Michael Wollenberg, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Director, Perioperative Ultrasound Education
James Kornfield, MD
Instructor of Medicine
General Medicine Ultrasound Fellow
Recent graduates
Michael Northrop, MD (2020)
Hospital Medicine
Legacy Health, Portland, OR
Chad Ficek, MD (2020)
Hospital Medicine
Sanford Health
Florian Sattelmacher, MD (2020)
Primary Care
The Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, HI
Madiha Ahmad, DO (2019)
Rheumatology Fellow
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Timothy Flynn, DO (2018)
Primary Care
Abbott Northwestern, Minneapolis, MN
Kevin Piro, MD (2017)
Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care
OHSU, Portland, OR