Cardiac | Echo under pressure: Echocardiography in high-acuity cardiac care
Tracks
Rm 9 | Virtual
Cardiac
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM |
| Rm 9 | First Floor |
Speaker
Dr Lucy Law
Researcher And Cardiac Sonographer
Menzies School of Health Research
Under pressure and off the grid: Rheumatic heart disease in rural Australia
8:30 AM - 8:50 AMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Working in rural and remote Australia presents unique challenges for anyone in any profession. This presentation aims to present my story and experience as an echocardiographer working in rural and remote parts of the Northern Territory and beyond. Additionally I aim to share things I have learn both as a professional and personally, and hopefully inspire others to seek work in this area.
Australia, specifically Australia's First Nations population, is the only first world country to still have significant morbidity and mortality from rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Lack of access to health care and basic hygiene as well as screening services and culturally appropriate messaging and education is causing unnecessary suffering in these populations and I am hear today to present my role and experience in trying to help end RHD.
Australia, specifically Australia's First Nations population, is the only first world country to still have significant morbidity and mortality from rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Lack of access to health care and basic hygiene as well as screening services and culturally appropriate messaging and education is causing unnecessary suffering in these populations and I am hear today to present my role and experience in trying to help end RHD.
Biography
Dr Lucy Law |
Menzies School of Health Research
Lucy is an echocardiographer with extensive training and experience in paediatric/neonatal and congenital heart disease (CHD) as well as working in rural and remote settings.
She is interested in the use of new and novel applications of cardiovascular ultrasound to help predict and prevent cardiovascular changes in patients with rheumatic disease, as well as for prognosis prediction, management, and monitoring in patients with complex CHD. Furthermore, Lucy is interested in furthering her education and knowledge in First Nations peoples Health, and is working closely with a multidisciplinary team and communities to improve cardiovascular health for Australia's First Nations People.
Lucy currently works as a senior research officer for Menzies School of Health Research (Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) team) on a project aiming to teach First Nations health staff how to use hand held ultrasound with an abbreviated echo protocol to screen for RHD to better improve care and access in these setting, and as an echocardiography in rural and remote Australia. Additionally, Lucy works with paediatric cardiologist in Sweden on hypoplastic left heart syndrome research.
Mrs Amy Secomb
Director
Cardiac Skills Australia
POCUS in cardiac ultrasound
8:50 AM - 9:10 AMBiography
Mrs Amy Secomb |
Cardiac Skills Australia
Amy is the owner and director of Cardiac Skills Australia where she facilitates Focussed Cardiac Ultrasound workshops and other cardiac trainings for Drs around Australia and New Zealand.
She has worked for over 2 decades in the Health Care Industry, with 16 years experience in echocardiography at The Prince Charles Hospital performing complex echocardiograms, indigenous cardiac outreach programs to rural QLD, and training Drs, staff and students.
She brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to all that she does. Improving patient outcomes and treatment through education, along with quality and timely cardiac imaging is something she is passionate about.
Ms Carolynne Cormack
Senior Lecturer
Monash University
Lung ultrasound: Broader perspectives for cardiac sonographers
9:10 AM - 9:20 AMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Cardiac sonographers often see pleural effusions and lung artefacts during echo imaging. There have been many exciting developments in the use of ultrasound to assess the lung and pleural spaces which both cardiac and general sonographers can utilise. This talk will introduce key concepts of lung ultrasound and discuss the sonographic features of common lung pathologies seen in adults.
Biography
Ms Carolynne Cormack FASA |
Monash University
Carolynne is a sonographer and educator with more than 30 years experience. She is currently completing her PhD at Monash University. Carolynne has been awarded ASA Victorian Sonographer of the Year 2022, ASA Fellowship 2018, and ASA Educator of the Year 2016. She is actively involved in the ASA, serving on the Fellowship panel, Clinical Supervision SIG and Clinical Supervision accreditation working group. She is also a current ASAR Director. Carolynne is a peer reviewer for several journals and a regularly invited presenter. Her interests include educational innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and research.