EP32. Veterinary Ultrasound Overview and Opportunities Featuring Emily Downs and Michelle Sima

The Sonography lounge hosts, Lori Green and Trisha Reo Sit down with the founders of Focused Ultrasound Resources (FUR) Emily Downs, M.Ed., RDMS, RVT, RDCS, RT, and Michelle Sima, MS, RDMS, RVT to talk about the veterinary ultrasound market and opportunities within this exciting and evolving field.

Emily Downs M.Ed., RDMS, RVT, RDCS, RT

Emily graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a BS in Radiation Sciences and subsequently graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a Master’s in Education. She served as the Program Director, and is a proud alumnus of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, CO.  She provided lectures for all areas of the ultrasound program curriculum and as a human sonographer, performs general, high risk obstetric and fetal echocardiography ultrasound. Emily is an active member of Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and has several publications. She has also served on the board of directors for the International Foundation for Sonography Educators and Research (IFSER) and also works with the Pan American Health Organization (WHO) as a temporary advisor and international educator for ultrasound education.

With a love for animals, Emily transitioned to veterinary sonography several years ago and co-founded Focused Ultrasound Resources (FUR). She has developed educational software for veterinary ultrasound through her company, Rad Imaging Skills and currently performs small animal ultrasound throughout the Denver area.

Michelle Sima MS, RDMS, RVT

Michelle graduated from Texas A&M University with her Bachelor of Science in Biology and consequently a Master’s at Colorado State University. During her Master’s, she worked on research with the veterinary radiologist using different imaging modalities, including ultrasound, to diagnose pneumonia in rabbits. This was her initial discovery of her love for ultrasound, so she pursued her career in ultrasound at the University of Colorado Hospital. She has worked at University of Colorado, outpatient imaging facilities, and as an ultrasound applications specialist. She has been a clinical instructor for three programs and is an active member of the ARDMS, SDMS, and AIUM. She has served on the ARDMS board writing panels, and is a published author of several educational courses through the SDMS. 

With her goal to get back into the veterinary field,  Michelle began working with Antech Sound Imaging as a Clinical Education Specialist II, training veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary radiologists about ultrasound. She has taught in private and corporate veterinary hospitals, as well as at symposiums, conferences and private education events. Michelle has been a recognized speaker at veterinary conferences including VMX and WVC. During her time at Antech Sound Imaging she realized a need for professionals performing  veterinary ultrasounds in the field. She then co-founded Focused Ultrasound Resources (FUR) to address the community’s needs.

 

Contact Information:

Website: https://www.focusedultrasoundresources.com/

Email: [e-mail]

General Contact

Corporate Office: Denver, CO [e-mail] [phone]

New Hampshire Office: Lebanon, NH [e-mail] [phone]

Interested Veterinary Ultrasound Education? Learn More Now: [phone]

Now Servicing: Greater Denver | Boulder | Colorado Springs | New Hampshire | Vermont | *Boston Coming Soon

 

The Sonography Lounge: https://thesonographylounge.podbean.com/

 

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute (Training materials and programs): www.gcus.com

 

Certification Agencies:

American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM): https://www.abem.org/public

Sonographer / Physician: American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS): www.ardms.org

Physicians: Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA): www.APCA.org

Point of Care Healthcare Providers: Point of Care Certification Academy (POCUS): www.pocus.org

Sonographer / Physician: Ca