1. Tell us a little about your professional journey. Where do you work, and what is your current role?

I’m a sonographer by trade, ultrasound educator by passion, and enthusiastic image optimiser by necessity. Over the years I’ve worked across clinical, educational, and governance roles, with a particular interest in helping clinicians develop confidence and competence in ultrasound.

I’ve been fortunate to work alongside amazing sonographers and mentors whilst honing my trade at Austin Health. Now I have the opportunity to work with emergency physicians and trainees, who share a passion for bedside imaging and lifelong learning. These days, a lot of my time is spent teaching, mentoring, troubleshooting difficult scans, and occasionally reminding people about the gain knob.

2. How did you first discover POCUS, and what sparked your interest in it?

As a sonographer, ultrasound has always been my world, but the development of POCUS was an exciting opportunity to combine my skills and the teaching element that I enjoy.

From my involvement in the sonographer realm, I was fortunate enough to meet POCUS pioneer Carolynne Cormack, and learn about the wonderful program developed by Monash Health.

What fascinated me was watching clinicians use ultrasound in real time to answer important clinical questions at the bedside. The combination of technology, anatomy, physiology, and immediate clinical impact was hard to resist.

3. How did you become involved with EMUGs, and what has this involvement meant to you personally and professionally?

Like many good stories, it started with ultrasound, coffee, and conversations with people who were far smarter than me.

I assisted at some POCUS workshops and met many knowledgeable clinicians. Amongst them was Allan Whitehead who was on Central Council at the time. An opportunity arose for me to join them alongside Jo Douglas, another POCUS queen!

EMUGs brings together a community of clinicians and educators who were passionate about improving patient care through ultrasound. I quickly realised it wasn’t just about scanning—it was about education, collaboration, innovation, and sharing ideas.

Professionally, it’s provided opportunities to contribute to teaching and governance. Personally, it’s introduced me to an incredible network of people who genuinely enjoy discussing probe positions over dinner. 

4. What is it about POCUS that continues to excite and inspire you? Perhaps share a memorable patient story or clinical moment where POCUS made a meaningful difference or changed your practice?

POCUS sits at the intersection of technology, clinical medicine, and human connection, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

I love that every scan is a puzzle. Sometimes the answer is obvious. Sometimes the patient has hidden every anatomical landmark they were ever born with, and you spend time negotiating with a rib.

What inspires me most is seeing the moment when a learner suddenly “gets it” and their confidence improves. Those moments never get old.

5. What are your hopes and vision for EMUGs and/or the progress of POCUS in EM in Australia and NZ?

My hope is that POCUS continues to grow as a safe, evidence-based, and collaborative part of emergency medicine.

I’d also love to see even stronger partnerships between sonographers and clinicians. Sonographers bring expertise in image acquisition, optimisation, and quality, while clinicians bring the bedside context and clinical decision-making. Together, we can achieve much more.

For EMUGs, I hope it continues to be a welcoming community that inspires curiosity, supports learners, and is acknowledged as being an educational and advisory organization for all things POCUS in Australia and New Zealand.

6. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, particularly our two grandchildren, who are a joy. Also cooking, traveling, hunting down excellent coffee and justifying that buying another kitchen appliance is a sensible investment.

7. What is your favourite travel destination, and why?

My favourite travel destination is where I happen to be with those that I value. I enjoy seeing places I have never been to before.

8. What is one item you never travel without?

A portable charger.

Nothing creates anxiety quite like watching your phone battery hit 3% while you’re trying to find your hotel in a city where you don’t speak the language.

9. What is one book, podcast, or resource you’d recommend to fellow clinicians.

I’m a big fan of Life in the Fast Lane. It’s an incredible resource that combines education, curiosity, and a healthy dose of emergency medicine culture. I particularly refer early learners to the vascular access course https://sonocpd.com

There are courses for those wishing to master vascular access and for clinicians teaching them. Great practical suggestions also on how to make phantoms.

My other recommendation would simply be finding great mentors and great colleagues. Ultrasound is learned one scan at a time, but it’s often the conversations around those scans that teach us the most.