Chair

Steffen Sammet, MD, PhD, DABR, DABMRS, FAMP

Dr. Sammet is an Associate Professor of Radiology and Medical Physics at the University of Chicago. He is the Director of Clinical Magnetic Resonance Physics and the Associate Program Director of the Clinical Imaging Medical Physics Residency Program at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Sammet completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in physics, mathematics, and chemistry. He continued his graduate studies in physics at the University of Heidelberg completing his M.S. and achieving magna cum laude distinction in his Ph.D. degree. Following his doctoral work in physics, Dr. Sammet completed his medical degree magna cum laude at the University of Heidelberg Medical School. He has a business administration certificate in total quality management (TQM) from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, and a certificate of achievement of the Academy of Radiology Leadership and Management (ARLM), where he is also listed on the honor roll. Dr. Sammet is board certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) in diagnostic radiological physics and by the American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety (ABMRS). He also holds a medical physics board certificate and a medical license in Germany. Dr. Sammet has extensive experience in translational research and serves as principle investigator for several extramural and intramural grants that focus on the development of novel MRI and Ultrasound techniques. He is a research mentor to graduate students in his research lab at the University of Chicago and he has won multiple research and teaching awards. Dr. Sammet is also a member of the faculty at the University of Chicago Center for Global Health and has established an educational neuroradiological imaging program in Ibadan, Nigeria through an NIH/NINDS funded R25 training grant where he served as principal investigator. He also developed a summer school program for Medical Imaging Physics in China during a visiting professorship at Xidian University in Xi’an, China.

Chair Elect

R. Eugene Zierler, MD, RPVI

R. Eugene Zierler, MD, RPVI is Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington and Medical Director of the D. E. Strandness Jr. Vascular Laboratory at the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He received an MD degree in 1976 from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by a General Surgery residency at the University of British Columbia and a Vascular Surgery fellowship at the University of Washington.

Dr. Zierler’s research interests have focused on noninvasive diagnostic techniques for vascular disease. Over the last 30 years, he has been involved in a series of projects based on the use of ultrasonic duplex scanning for screening and follow-up of vascular problems, including carotid artery disease, lower extremity arterial disease, surveillance of vein bypass grafts, deep vein thrombosis, and renal artery disease. He has served on the Board of Directors of Inteleos, a certification organization that includes the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the Alliance for Physician Certification and Advancement, and the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy, and he is a Past-President of the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories.

Vice Chair Elect

Nena Mason, Ph.D.

Nena Lundgreen Mason is an Assistant Professor of Medical Education, Longitudinal Physiology Curriculum Leader, ultrasound educator, and gross anatomist at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover New Hampshire. She earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Developmental Biology from Brigham Young University. Dr. Mason spent 8 years prior to her appointment at Geisel developing and directing clinical gross anatomy and ultrasound education programs at two newly opened medical schools. A celebrated educator, Dr. Mason has been honored with the “Faculty Member of the Year” award for excellence in teaching several times along with other teaching-related accolades throughout her career. She is also engaged in teaching ultrasound courses at many levels including courses for prehospital providers, emergency medicine clinicians, and medical students. Dr. Mason also directs an innovative research program in medical education centered around the development of pedagogy in teaching clinical ultrasound skills to medical students using human cadaveric materials.

Member and Assessment Committee Chair

Ian Thomas, MD, MSc, RMSK, RSCC, CSCS

Dr. Thomas is the owner of Thomas Sports and Regenerative Orthopedics (TSARO), Associate Professor at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. Medical School and Clinical Director of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography. He has a particular interest in injury prevention, biomechanical analysis, diagnostic ultrasonography, regenerative medicine, and interventional orthopedics using cutting-edge sono-surgical techniques with a focus on gymnastics and golf medicine.

Dr. Thomas has over 10 years of coaching experience as a strength and conditioning coach, head coach and program director in men’s artistic gymnastics, fellowship experience caring for elite ice skaters, ballet dancers, gymnasts and other performing arts athletes. Dr. Thomas has written book chapters in ultrasonography including the upcoming third edition of “Mayeaux’s Essential Guide to Primary Care Procedures: Deep Vein Thrombosis Evaluation,” co-authored the 2nd Edition of The American College of Sports Medicine’s “Sports Medicine: A Comprehensive Review,” the premier textbook for training sports medicine physicians.

Dr. Thomas was awarded the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education ranking him among the top 12 graduating residents in the country. He was also awarded 1st place national leadership award from the AAFP Emerging Leaders Institute for building an ultrasound curriculum for his residency, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, and 13 academic institutions across 3 countries as well as fundraising for an ultrasound curriculum for the only Family Medicine Residency in Malawi, Africa.

Currently, Dr. Thomas teaches point-of-care ultrasound to physicians both nationally and internationally and serves as the Chair of the Ultrasound Assessment Council for Inteleos, Ad Hoc Instructor for the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine, and Lead Instructor for the Global Ultrasound Institute. Dr. Thomas endeavors to apply his training from the top experts in the field of Sports Medicine, Orthopedics and Interventional Pain to provide excellent care in the areas of Sports and Regenerative Medicine, Sports Performance, Return to Sport Optimization, and Interventional Orthopedics.

Member and Engagement Committee Chair

Ahmed Sami Abuzaid, MD, EMHL

Dr. Abuzaid is a clinical imaging cardiologist at Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute. Sami is a multimodality imager in Echocardiography, Vascular Ultrasound, Nuclear Cardiology, Cardiac Computed Tomography, and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance. Dr. Abuzaid is passionate about making high quality cardiac imaging to answer the clinical questions that we encounter on daily basis. He enjoys teaching POCUS to many of his students and trainees. Sami enjoys fishing, scuba diving and hiking.

Member

Dean Vlahaki, MBBS, RDMS, FRCP

Dean Vlahaki, MBBS, RDMS, FRCP, graduated from the University of Queensland Medical school in Brisbane, Australia in 2011. He completed his Emergency Medicine residency training and POCUS specialty training at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada in 2017. Vlahaki now practices at multiple sites in a network of academic tertiary care hospitals in Hamilton, Canada. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor with McMaster University and a major contributor to the Emergency Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound Fellowship program at McMaster University.

Member

David Hyatt, PA-C, MPAS

David has been a PA for over 7 years, working in interventional radiology for the past 6 years and performing a wide range of image guided procedures. He enjoys using imaging to assist with and help guide the care he provides to his patients. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, getting outdoors and staying active.

Member

Ashley Hannani, BS, RDCS (AE), RVT

Ashley Hannani is a dual board-certified cardiovascular sonographer, Point of Care Ultrasound coordinator, and health care activist. Throughout her career, she has been at the forefront of educational talks, organization-wide procedural developments, and the implementation of innovative imaging software. She currently works in Los Angeles at one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, where she guides the cardiovascular imaging department and mentors staff throughout the organization.

When she is not working on projects she has likely underestimated, Ashley enjoys traveling, attempting to make patients laugh during their procedures, baking, and watching U.S. figure skating.

Member

Roger Shen, MD

Dr. Shen has 10 years of work experience as an emergency medicine physician. He is a certified physician of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, currently working in Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital as section head of emergency physicians. He is also an international member of American College of Emergency Physicians. He is enthusiastic in integrating POCUS into clinical practice and currently is leading the department POCUS training program.

Member

Karen Avgush, MD

Dr. Karen Avgush is a Saint James School of Medicine graduate and completed her Internal Medicine residency at Wellspan York Hospital. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at several medical schools including Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, and SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Avgush currently serves as the Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at United Health Services in Binghamton, NY. Her professional interests include resident education and mentorship, research and case report publication, and, of course, Point of Care Ultrasound. Her passion for Point of Care Ultrasound drove her to become certified in numerous areas. She has created and implemented several POCUS curricula during her career to bring a structured approach to ultrasound education to her learners. In her free time, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hiking and snowboarding, travel, and spending quality time with friends and family.