Both Nova Panebianco and A.J. Dean have an ongoing interest in global emergency medicine, particularly the promulgation of bedside ultrasonography in resource limited settings. In the developing world, ultrasonography is often the sole imaging modality available, and has special advantages including low cost, low maintenance, transportability, durability and a wide (and expanding) range of clinical applications. In resource poor settings, the greatest impediment to the use of ultrasonography is not very different from that in the developed world: practitioners who want to benefit their patients with this powerful and flexible technology can only do so after high-quality training. This gives rise to unique challenges as well as unique opportunities for those interested in the combination of ultrasonography and teaching. At Penn Medicine, we offer a combined Global Health and Ultrasound fellowship in recognition that these fields are naturally married.
International training missions in ultrasonography have been undertaken by medical students, residents, and fellows as well as faculty through the Ultrasound Division. Training sites include Santiago Atitlán in Guatemala, South Africa, Chile, and Rwanda. Dr. Dean has been working longitudinally with Dr. Trish Henwood, Chairperson of the Board of PURE (http://www.ultrasound-rwanda.org), in supporting global ultrasound activities abroad. In addition, A.J. Dean is the Treasurer of WINFOCUS and has been engaged in training programs organized by WINFOCUS in Italy, Spain, Scotland, England, India, Australia, China, and Brazil. Winfocus has ongoing projects in various locations, particularly the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil. These programs are ongoing opportunities for volunteer activities for those trained in the ultrasound program at Penn at medical student, resident, or fellowship level. Nova Panebianco is the co-founder of globalsono.org; an upcoming website that will connect sonographers with international ultrasound training and research.
