Christiana Care Health System
Program Description
Type of Program
The CCHS Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship is a one-year post residency EUFAC accredited fellowship based in the Emergency Department.
Fellowship Highlights:
Three Hospital System (Christiana/Wilmington/Elkton Campuses)
One free standing ED (Middletown)
>180,000 ED Adult and Pediatric patients per year
3,000 Level 1 (Adult and Pediatric traumas/year)
>7,000 births/year
14 Ultrasound Systems with > 10,000 EUS/year
QPathE for quality assurance and education
Billing for EUS studies
Full-time EUS Program assistant
EM research nurse coordinators
Dedicated EUS Program/Fellowship Offices
Generous salary and benefits
Robust EUS research program
Year Fellowship Started
2002
Ultrasound Program Status
Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowship within the Department of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Services Service Line.
Number of Ultrasound Faculty
8 AEMUS Fellowship trained faculty members (7 who hold FPD-AEMUS)
>80 faculty credentialed in multiple applications
Notable Faculty
Jason T Nomura MD FACEP FPD-AEMUS (Medical Director Systemwide POC Ultrasound, Director of Emergency Ultrasound, Director of AEMUS Fellowship, Director of EM Research)
Ashley Keifer, DO (FPD-AEMUS) (Assistant Director of Emergency Medicine Ultrasound)
John Powell MD FACEP (FPD-eligible) (EM Department Chair, US Faculty)
Ashley Panicker MD FPD-AEMUS (EM Residency Academic Faculty, EUS Faculty)
Justin Stowens MD FACEP FPD-AEMUS (APD EM Residency, EUS Faculty)
Jennifer T. Mink MD FACEP FPD-AEMUS (US part time faculty)
Laurie Branner (EUS Program Administrative Assistant)
Ultrasound Fellowship Education
Integrated into the CCHS EM residency program since 1990, Emergency Ultrasound training at Christiana Care is nationally recognized among EM residences and ultrasound programs. The unique high volume practice setting with wide ranging ultrasound pathology, research and hospital support affords our fellowship candidates a premier experience in ultrasound training, research and education.
Educational Activities
Didactics: Weekly education sessions with Fellowship Director and faculty, journal club, weekly group QA review, resident core curriculum ultrasound lectures, PGY-1 ultrasound course, POCUS education for other specialty learners and nurses.
Experiential: Hands-on scanning shifts, ultrasound simulation center training, scanning opportunities outside of the department with specialists, POCUS program QA/QI/billing coding review, assist in ED departmental POCUS reports.
Supervisory: Provide multi-specialty resident, faculty, medical student and nursing education (EM/IM/Surg/CC), Supervise PGY1 ultrasound rotation, Assist in program administration (QA/QI), Assist in program budget, asset purchasing, documentation, billing/coding and CMS compliance.
Research: Develop, perform, and supervise POCUS research. Mentor resident EUS research projects.
Do you bill for ultrasounds?
Yes, all POCUS studies by credentialed providers that are designated for billing are coded and billed. The process differs slightly for procedural guidance vs diagnostic ultrasound.
Do you require follow up imaging for patients who get ultrasounds?
No, if the study was performed and interpreted or supervised by a credentialed provider.
Other Information
Our section performs over 10,000 scans per year. We provide education on emergency/point-of-care ultrasound to other Residency and Fellowship programs, departments, specialties, and professions in our healthcare system.
