Point-of-Care Ultrasound curriculum begins at Children's & Women's Hospital

By Casandra Andrews

To better serve the growing healthcare needs of patients and more fully prepare physicians-in-training, faculty members in the Department of Pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine have launched a new Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum for pediatric residents. 

“Currently, fewer than 10% of pediatric residency programs nationwide offer a structured Point-of-Care Ultrasound curriculum, so this will be a significant and impactful addition for our residents,” said USA Health neonatologist Gangajal Kasniya, MBBS, FAAP, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “As healthcare continues to move toward safer, faster, and more efficient models, POCUS empowers providers to make real-time clinical decisions with greater accuracy.”

In May, USA Health physicians and healthcare providers took part in a hands-on POCUS workshop. This summer and fall, USA Health rolled out a longitudinal POCUS curriculum for pediatric residents. Each resident will participate in six hands-on ultrasound sessions during their training — two per year. The program integrates simulation-based education at the SIM Center with bedside training during clinical rotations.  

While some hospital departments, including the Pediatric Emergency Center and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), already have ultrasound machines, additional units are being acquired to further support training. 

Kasniya serves as program director for this initiative, while neonatologist Saminathan Anbalagan, MBBS, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, is assistant program director. Expert instructors from other pediatric subspecialties including radiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, pediatric anesthesia, neonatology, and Whiddon College of Medicine faculty, are also helping residents to learn the skills and build confidence to integrate POCUS into their daily clinical workflows. 

The course covers diverse topics including foundational knowledge and high-yield procedural applications tailored to pediatric practices. The final training session for 2025 is planned for Oct. 24. Other sessions will be held Jan. 23, Feb. 13, and Feb. 20.