Emerg. Ultrasound Fellowship

The Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center established a fellowship in emergency ultrasound in 2005. Ours is one of approximately 20 such fellowships across the country. While our fellowship follows the national model, we place particular emphasis on teaching skills. Thus, one of the focal points of the fellowship is participation in the Teaching Fellowship Program offered by the American College of Emergency Medicine. This 12-day, two-session program is held in Dallas and focuses on curriculum development, teaching methods, evaluation, academic survival skills, administration, and management. The fellow applies the lessons learned from this program to many teaching opportunities throughout the year involving medical students, residents, and faculty.

Another focal point of the fellowship is preparation for and ultimately obtaining registrant status from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. To achieve this certification, the fellow must complete more than 800 ultrasound examinations, engage in self and proctored study, attend a national review course, and, at the end of the fellowship year, pass two comprehensive examinations.

The remainder of the fellowship year is spent on research, quality assurance, and the practice of general emergency medicine. By the completion of the fellowship, the physician is an experienced RDMS-certified physician, ready to assume a leadership role in a university- or community-based emergency ultrasound program.