Introducing New EMUGs Central Council Members
- romyblecher
- 14 hours ago
- 5 min read
Meet Camilla Lyttle
Tell us a bit about yourself professionally to set the scene.
I came to Australia from the UK "for one year" seven years ago and started working in the Emergency Department in Hervey Bay, QLD. I began Emergency Medicine training in 2021 and currently work on the Sunshine Coast, having spent 12 months working in Port Macquarie in between.
How did you get involved with EMUGs?
I became familiar with EMUGS while performing an Ultrasound Special Skills term in Port Mac. The sonographic educator in ED was a POCUS enthusiast and very encouraging with regards to getting involved. She sent me the email regarding the upcoming position and I took the opportunity to express my interest and join the team.
What drives your passion for POCUS?
My passion is driven by the other POCUS enthusiasts who encourage the use of bedside ultrasound in the ED. Prior to working in Australia my ultrasound experience was limited to its use in assisting with IV access. When I arrived in Hervey Bay I was lucky to work with a passionate FACEM who utilised bedside ultrasound on the majority of patients after hours, when X-ray and CT were unavailable. I was repeatedly surprised at how often it made a difference to patient care. Following this, I used ultrasound routinely in my clinical practice, and was further encouraged by a very enthusiastic ED team in Port Macquarie. I hope to pass this enthusiasm on to others on the shop floor, and through my work with EMUGS.
Favourite travel destination and why?
Anywhere I can travel with my dog, Clova, a 2 year old wolfhound x border collie with unlimited energy!!
What is your vision for EMUGs for the next 5 years?
I would love to see EMUGs become the "go-to" ultrasound resource in Australasia for ED trainees.
What do you do outside of EMUGs?
I enjoy triathlons and spend most of my time running and cycling (but not swimming nearly as often as I should!). I love long beach trips with my dog on my days off but haven't succeeded in tiring her out yet.
What can you say to other doctors thinking of becoming involved with EMUGs?
Involvement with EMUGs isn't based on your experience, your ultrasound CV, or your skill. What matters is enthusiasm and an interest to get involved and spread the word about POCUS. I love having the support of the EMUGs community, with an open space to share ideas and suggestions for improvement. It's also been helpful to understand the work that needs to be done to expand POCUS in ED and it's exciting to be a part of that team!
Meet Sina Sahmeddini
Tell us a bit about yourself professionally to set the scene.
I'm a TS3 emergency medicine trainee at The Alfred in Melbourne.
How did you get involved with EMUGs?
Even before I had any ultrasound training, I always looked up to the FACEMs and senior registrars who could whip out a probe and magically diagnose things, as if they had X-ray vision. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out which way was up on the screen. So, I dove headfirst into EMUGs courses and scanning sessions. Initially, my skill level was... let's say "aspirational." But the instructors were fantastic — they made sure even I walked away knowing a bit more than just how to hold the probe like a TV remote. That encouragement lit the fire for me to pursue POCUS skills.
What drives your passion for POCUS?
POCUS skills genuinely changed the way I practice. Suddenly, I could make confident clinical decisions while others were still ordering the third round of imaging. But honestly, I owe a lot to the department I was in — it was packed with POCUS-loving FACEMs and fellow trainees who made it feel totally normal to be excited about scanning things.
I still vividly remember my first brush with lung ultrasound. I was a first-year registrar at a tiny ED with no after-hours radiology. A patient rolled in with respiratory distress, and I had no clue whether it was a pneumothorax or just a bad day. So, I FaceTimed a FACEM like I was calling a friend for help with IKEA instructions and begged them to help me interpret the scan before I started NIV. That moment stuck with me — partly for the panic, but mainly for the power of having that skill at your fingertips.
Favourite travel destination and why?
Okay, cliché alert: it is Japan. Because, well… great food, karaoke, and insanely efficient transport. It's OCD heaven.
What is you vision for EMUGs for the next 5 years?
My dream for EMUGs? A thriving, big, supportive community where people can geek out over POCUS, learn from each other, and occasionally laugh at the weird things we’ve all scanned, thinking “huh, is that supposed to be there?”
What do you do outside of EMUGs?
Outside of work, I’m really into landscape and urban photography, and hiking — basically anything that lets me stare at something beautiful and not wear scrubs. So if I’m not burnt out, you’ll probably find me halfway up a mountain taking a photo of a rock.
Meet Steven Chiang
Tell us a bit about yourself professionally to set the scene...
I am currently working as a trauma fellow at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
How did you get involved with EMUGs? I have been aware of EMUGs for a while now through event advertisements and through colleagues. However, I did not get involved until I was a lot more confident with my skills and my ability to teach well (about 4 to 5 years into my POCUS journey.)
We have noticed the EMUGs community are all passionate POCUS enthusiasts, what drives this passion for you?
POCUS have expedited patient care in so many ways. A few of the examples include :
1) A young woman seen in ambulatory area overnight with nonspecific abdominal pain who was hypotensive at 100 SBP, POCUS revealed large volume free fluid intra-abdomen --> expedited to theatre.
2) Young child seen at regional hospital 2 weeks post flu-like illness who was tachypnic, tachycardic and mildly hypotensive with chest tightness - POCUS revealed pericardial tamponade --> US clips sent to paediatric cardiologist --> urgent retrieval and expedited to cathlab for urgent pericardiocentesis.
3) Middle aged otherwise fit and well female had a syncopal episode with headstrike who remained mildly hypotensive SBP 110s, physical examination revealed systolic murmur --> POCUS revealed dilated ascending aortic aneurysm (7cm) with significant accelerated flow through AV --> expedited cardiothoracic repair, all cases with good outcomes. One can imagine delayed diagnosis without POCUS or even a disastrous outcome.
Favourite travel destination and why?
SINGAPORE (I grew up there so I may be biased but it is so convenient to get anywhere and also amazing food including plenty of fine dining choices.)
What is your vision for EMUGs for the next 5 years?
To target more junior doctors to start their POCUS journey early, to collaborate with international organisations for POCUS discussions/host events.
What do you do outside of EMUGs?
Getting back into painting and sketching. Looking after my 2 months old baby girl.
What can you say to other doctors thinking of becoming involved with EMUGs?
Join up EMUGs, get involved, and learn from each other. It's a great community. No special way to do this!
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