Navigating the Path to Success: Establishing the Jacobs School’s Student Ultrasound Program

Dan Mirsch, DO, FACEP
University at Buffalo

In the dynamic realm of medical education, innovation and adaptability are crucial for preparing future healthcare professionals to excel in their chosen fields. Recognizing the transformative potential of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), a team at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo embarked on a mission to establish a robust student ultrasound program based on groundwork laid out by Drs. David Bahner and Chris Fox.¹

The first, and most impactful, key to success was to assemble a team of experts, each bringing their unique mastery and clout to the table. In Jim Collins' book "Good to Great,”² this is referred to as “loading the bus.”

Among the team within the Jacobs School were:

• Daniel Mirsch, Director of Student Ultrasound, coordinator of the team moving toward a goal of creating an undergraduate student ultrasound course.
• David Milling, Executive Director of the Office of Medical Education and Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, who helped secure the program’s funding and prominence within the medical school curriculum.
• Connor Grabowski, Administrative Simulations Technician, who ensured the seamless integration of ultrasound equipment and sessions into the curriculum and infrastructure.
• Karen Zinnerstrom, Director of Clinical Competency and Behling Human Simulation Centers, who provided unwavering support for the project and helped maintain momentum.
• Andrew Symons, Vice Chair for Medical Student Education and Director of the Clinical Practice of Medicine course, who made room within his course for the ultrasound curriculum.
• Ali Mohammad, Lucas Sepe, Leah Krzemien, and Erin Clough, who created a student-led POCUS interest group that provided a platform for students to express their support for the ultrasound program, directly conveying their enthusiasm to the school's leadership. This grassroots movement played a significant role in garnering institutional backing and ensuring the program's longevity.
• Robert McCormack, Chair of Emergency Medicine, who helped to ensure the team had the proper backing, time, and financial support to move forward.

The team outside the Jacobs School included external mentors from the University of Pennsylvania ultrasound program:

• Wilma Chan, Director of Ultrasound Education in Undergraduate Medical Education and Christy Moore, Sonographer Educator, who discussed progress, methods and lessons learned from their experiences of creating an undergraduate medical education ultrasound program.

Industry representatives were also key to securing necessary equipment at attractive pricing.

The team's initial hurdle lay in getting individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise to buy-in to a shared vision. Butterfly machines were provided for key administrators to practice with, making the discussion far more tangible. This created a shared purpose that fostered camaraderie and resilience, propelling the team forward despite the obstacles that lay ahead.

One such challenge was the protracted negotiation between the school and the state regarding funding for the ultrasound program. The team exercised patience and a “trust the process” mentality, recognizing the complexities of the funding process. Key to this was having trust in the dean who fully embraced our model and maintained forward pressure along multiple avenues.

Undeterred by delays in state funding, the team sought alternative sources of support, partnering with the university’s advancement team to find outside donors, yielding positive results with the Bauer Foundation, demonstrating the community's recognition of the program's value and potential impact. This diversification of funding streams proved crucial in ensuring the program's continued success.

The establishment of the Buffalo Student Ultrasound Program stands as a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and trust. By relying on each other and maintaining forward pressure over time, the team has laid the foundation for a thriving ultrasound education program that will prepare future healthcare professionals to excel in their chosen fields.

References:

1. Mallin, M., & Dawson, M. (2013). Introduction to bedside ultrasound: Volume 2 [iBook]. Emergency Ultrasound Solutions.
2. Collins, J. (2001). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap...and others don't [iBook]. HarperBusiness.