In today's world, patients are knowledgeable about their health, proficient in using technology, and expect comprehensive service delivered quickly. With easy access to health-related information, both reliable and unreliable, at their fingertips, patients demand more from healthcare professionals. Sonographers are working in a challenging environment, where their role in the healthcare field is becoming increasingly important due to high patient demand, shortages in the workplace, and expanding protocols. They are concerned about workplace injuries, training and education standards, regulation, consent, communication needs, Artificial Intelligence, and the corporatisation of primary healthcare. Join the discussion at the ASA Arena as we explore the challenges faced by modern sonographers and tackle the critical issues they encounter in their profession.

Mrs Julie Cahill AFASA | CQUniversity Julie is an accomplished sonographer with a diverse background in both public and private healthcare sectors across NSW and QLD. After earning a Diploma of Applied Science from Newcastle University and a Bachelor of Applied Science from Sydney University, Julie embarked on a successful career in ultrasound, commencing training in 1999. Dedicated to advancing her expertise, she completed a Graduate Diploma of Health Science in Medical Sonography from the University of Sydney, followed by a Masters of Medical Ultrasound from CQUniversity. Her clinical experience encompasses various specialisations, with a particular focus on Women's Health, sonographer training, and education. Prior to transitioning to academia, Julie worked as a senior sonographer, tutor, trainer, and mentor to undergraduate and postgraduate sonography students, as well as other medical professionals. Presently, she maintains her clinical proficiency by working part-time within in a Women's Health Practice, alongside her role as a tutor for a prominent private imaging company where she trains students in obstetrics and breast. Julie is committed to the advancement of the sonography profession. She is dedicated to her role at CQUniversity where she fervently pursues her passion for sonography education. Her primary focus involves cultivating the next generation of sonographers, providing them with comprehensive training and unwavering support to enhance their technical proficiency, professional growth, and communication skills. This commitment reflects her enduring dedication to the continuous advancement of the sonography discipline.

Associate Professor Christopher Edwards FASA | Queensland University of Technology Christopher Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Ultrasound within the School of Clinical Sciences and coordinates the Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound. He is an experienced Medical Sonographer and a registered Medical Radiation Practitioner and holds a concurrent position with QLD Health as an advanced clinical Radiographer/Sonographer. His research focuses on understanding how new advances in ultrasound technology can improve patient clinical outcomes. He is also keenly interested in improving equitable training for student Sonographers and developing pathways for professionals to access research opportunities. Christopher is a fellow of the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA), a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a former Chair and Board Director of the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry.

Mr Peter Nguyen | Capital Radiology I began my career at Capital Radiology/Integral Diagnostics 24 years ago, and throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to take on a variety of roles, from Chief Radiographer to Sonographer—after completing my Ultrasound training—and later, Manager, after earning my MBA. My passion for interacting with patients has always been a driving force in my career. After spending nearly 10 years in management, I returned to my roots as a Sonographer, where I could truly connect with patients. Recently, I’ve taken on the role of Tutor Sonographer and have become deeply involved in developing the Capital Radiology Ultrasound Training Program. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and as a Tutor, I strive to inspire the next generation of Sonographers with the same enthusiasm and dedication I’ve had throughout my career. My philosophy is simple: every patient deserves to be treated as if they were family.

Ms Suean Pascoe | Zedu Suean Pascoe, Director of Zedu Ultrasound Training Solutions, is an internationally recognised ultrasound educator dedicated to advancing practical skills development. She leads the creation and delivery of cutting-edge training programs designed to accelerate the acquisition of hands-on ultrasound skills. She also developed the TRUST (Train the Ultrasound Trainer) course, which equips educators with strategies to enhance teaching and mentoring. Suean's innovative GOOSE framework, detailed in her publication "GOOSE: Introducing a Novel 5-Stage Structured Framework for the Early Phases of Teaching and Learning Ultrasound," offers a methodical, hands-on approach to skill acquisition. By emphasising systematic training on real-world patient models, her courses deliver fast-tracked results, helping participants achieve proficiency and confidence. With a passion for education and a commitment to excellence, Suean continues to shape the future of sonography training, equipping a new generation of skilled practitioners with the tools they need to excel.

Dr Rebecca Perry FASA | University of South Australia Dr Rebecca Perry is the Program Director for Medical Sonography at the University of South Australia and has an honorary position as a post-doctoral researcher in echocardiography at Flinders Medical Centre. She has been a cardiac sonographer since 1998 and has been involved in research and advanced echocardiographic techniques since 2003. She has extensive experience in advanced echocardiographic techniques such as strain and 3-D echocardiography. In 2023 she won the prestigious Australasian Sonographers Association, Pru Pratten Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award which recognises and honours a sonographer who has made a significant contribution to the profession, and the ASA, over the course of their career. She completed her PhD in 2013 and her Post-Doctoral Fellowship with the Heart Foundation through Flinders University in 2018. She is passionate about education and excellence in echocardiography and advanced imaging techniques.