About

Welcome to the Division of Clinical Ultrasound

Man demonstrating medical equipment to othersOur team of physicians specializing in point-of-care ultrasound bring innovation and diagnostic efficiency to VCU’s Emergency Department. With eight state-of-the-art ultrasound machines distributed throughout the department, we’re able to examine and diagnose patients in real time, drastically reducing lengthy wait times for results and treatment.

Since 2010, the section has grown from one provider and one piece of equipment to include seven full-time faculty members, eight ultrasound machines, a one-year fellowship and opportunities for medical students and residents.

Clinical ultrasound represents a new frontier of the physical exam, and our highly specialized clinicians are at the forefront of that innovative and exciting evolution.  

Our Mission

Our mission is to serve the VCU Health System and educate medical professionals in using ultrasound technology to inform the bedside diagnosis and treatment of patients in the Emergency Department. In a unique, collaborative environment that spans multiple disciplines, we strive to recruit and train motivated emergency physicians to be experts in the field and practice of bedside ultrasonography.

Message from the Chair

[VCUSOM Message from the Dean] - Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair

As emergency physicians with advanced training in ultrasonography, we have the ability to offer expertise in helping develop education, competency-based training and proficiency standards that broaden the use of ultrasound and better ensure its utilization in a safe and effective manner across a diverse spectrum of clinical practice.

– David Evans, M.D.  

Education

Clerkship

First and second-year medical students learn about clinical ultrasound in the classroom, and third years get hands-on POCUS experience during an optional emergency medicine clerkship.

Medical students may also choose clinical ultrasound as an elective rotation during their fourth year, an opportunity that continues to grow in popularity.

Resident Rotations

During each of their three years at VCU, emergency medicine residents participate in an ultrasound rotation geared towards their specific training year that focuses on fundamental clinical ultrasonography.

During PGY-2 and PGY-3, residents with a special interest in clinical ultrasound can participate in a longitudinal track, which reduces shift requirements and increases exposure to advanced ultrasonography topics.

Fellowship

Designed to produce leaders in the field of clinical ultrasound, our one-year fellowship provides extensive training in advanced sonography. The program expands on the knowledge and skills developed during residency, with a specific focus on education, research and administration of a successful ultrasound program.

Fellows will have the option to sit for both the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer exams, and they’ll have the option of receiving additional certifications.

Research

We encourage all attending physicians, fellows, residents and medical students to engage in cutting-edge research that ultimately improves patient care and contributes to the advancement of clinical ultrasonography as a practice.

By The Numbers

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point-of-care ultrasounds performed on a yearly basis

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ultrasound faculty in the Department of Emergency Medicine

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residents trained since inception of the program

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TEEs performed per year

Faculty

David Evans, MD, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

David Evans, MD, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

Professor

David Evans, MD, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

David Evans, MD, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

Professor

Clinical Ultrasound Section

Clinical Ultrasound Division Chair

Email: david.evans@vcuhealth.org

Jessica Gertz, MD

Jessica Gertz, MD

Assistant Professor

Jessica Gertz, MD

Jessica Gertz, MD

Assistant Professor

Email: jessica.balderston@vcuhealth.org

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Jason Jennings, MD

Jason Jennings, MD

Assistant Professor

Jason Jennings, MD

Jason Jennings, MD

Assistant Professor

Email: jason.jennings@vcuhealth.org

Michael Jones, MD

Michael Jones, MD

Assistant Professor

Michael Jones, MD

Michael Jones, MD

Assistant Professor

Emergency Medicine

Email: Michael.Jones6@vcuhealth.org

Michael Joyce, MD, RDMS, RDCS

Michael Joyce, MD, RDMS, RDCS

Associate Professor

Michael Joyce, MD, RDMS, RDCS

Michael Joyce, MD, RDMS, RDCS

Associate Professor

Email: john.joyce@vcuhealth.org

Lindsay Taylor, MD, FACEP, FAEMUS

Lindsay Taylor, MD, FACEP, FAEMUS

Associate Professor

Lindsay Taylor, MD, FACEP, FAEMUS

Lindsay Taylor, MD, FACEP, FAEMUS

Associate Professor

Clinical Ultrasound Fellowship Co-Director

Email: lindsay.taylor@vcuhealth.org

Jordan Tozer, MD, MS, FACEP, FAEMUS

Jordan Tozer, MD, MS, FACEP, FAEMUS

Associate Professor

Jordan Tozer, MD, MS, FACEP, FAEMUS

Jordan Tozer, MD, MS, FACEP, FAEMUS

Associate Professor

Emergency Medicine

Clinical Ultrasound Fellowship Co-Director

Email: jordan.tozer@vcuhealth.org

Michael Vitto, DO, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

Michael Vitto, DO, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

Associate Professor

Michael Vitto, DO, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

Michael Vitto, DO, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP

Associate Professor

Interim Director of Operations, Emergency Medicine
Assistant Director of Clinical Ultrasound
Associate Medical Director, Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety

Email: michael.vitto@vcuhealth.org

J.C. Wiggins, MD

J.C. Wiggins, MD

Assistant Professor

J.C. Wiggins, MD

J.C. Wiggins, MD

Assistant Professor

Emergency Medicine

Email: John.Wiggins@vcuhealth.org