SONIC2026
THE POCUS PEOPLE
ABOUT SONIC
01
Learn
Build practical ultrasound skills that translate directly to patient care.
SONIC workshops prioritise hands-on scanning, expert supervision and real-world application. From regional anaesthesia and MSK assessment to echocardiography and vascular access, every session is designed to sharpen technique, improve image acquisition and strengthen clinical decision-making in acute settings.
02
Connect
Learn alongside clinicians who use ultrasound where it matters most.
SONIC brings together emergency physicians, intensivists, anaesthetists and acute care clinicians in a collaborative learning environment. Small-group workshops and interactive sessions create space for shared experience, peer discussion and practical problem-solving across disciplines.
03
Advance
Expand your scope, refine your practice and stay clinically current.
Through expert-led lectures, debates and literature reviews, SONIC challenges clinicians to think critically about how ultrasound is used at the bedside. Sessions focus on evidence-based practice, emerging applications and the nuanced decisions that shape high-quality POCUS in modern acute care.
THE SETTING: NOOSA 2026
01
The Venue
Elysium Noosa Resort
SONIC 2026 will be hosted at Elysium Noosa Resort.
Purpose-designed conference facilities create the ideal environment for focused education, debate and hands-on learning. On-site accommodation and shared gathering spaces allow the conversation to continue beyond the formal programme.
Everything is within walking distance, beach, shops, restaurants.
02
The Location
Noosa, Queensland
Noosa offers a rare balance of natural landscape and vibrant coastal culture.
Mornings can begin with a walk through Noosa National Park. Evenings unfold along Hastings Street. Time away from the clinical environment creates space to think clearly, connect meaningfully and return to practice with renewed focus.
SONIC 2026 pairs high-level clinical education with a setting designed to elevate it.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Wednesday, 16th September
10:00 Conference Opening & Keynote Address
11:00 Morning Tea 11:30 Lecture Session: Gastrointestinal POCUS 13:00 Lunch 13:45 Hands-On Workshop: Musculoskeletal POCUS
15:45 Afternoon Tea 16:15 Discussion Based Session: What's New in POCUS? Let's Discuss 18:00 Opening Drinks
Thursday, 17th September
09:30 Lecture Session: Echocardiography
11:00 Morning Tea 11:30 Workshop: Echocardiography 13:45 Lunch 14:30 POCUS Leaders Structured Debates
15:45 Afternoon Tea 16:15 Workshop: Team Based Learning 18:45 Conference Dinner
Friday, 18th September
09:30 Workshop: Nerve Blocks & Vascular Access
11:30 Morning Tea 12:00 Lecture Session: Paediatric & Gynaecological POCUS 14:00 Conference Concludes
THE POCUS PEOPLE
SESSIONS
Echocardiography: Beyond the Stethoscope - using point of care ultrasound to diagnose cardiac and pulmonary pathologies
OUR SPEAKERS
Dr Brian Doyle
What's New in POCUS? Let's Discuss
Brian is a USA trained EP who embraced POCUS 20 years ago and is now a clinical lead in POCUS. He is also very interested in critical appraisal of the literature, clinical research methods and keeping things practical.
Dr Elissa-Kennedy Smith
Paediatic & Gynaecological POCUS
Elissa is an EP at MED, Sandringham Hospital ED & The Royal Women’s Early Pregnancy Assessment Service. Elissa has an avid interest in all EM applications of POCUS, and has completed multiple CCPUs & a DDU, enjoys teaching and is officially an “Ultrasound tragic”.
Dr Jonathan Henry
Keynote Address - Ultrasound Education in Global Health
Jono is a dedicated EP, having been honoured by ASUM in 2023 as Humanitarian of the Year, recognising the creation of the PEARLS program, which aims to upskill frontline clinicians in the Pacific and beyond with POCUS.
Dr Kylie Baker
Gastrointestinal POCUS: Case-Based POCUS - Gastrointestinal & Venous Congestion Ultrasound
Kylie Baker is an EP who has worked at Ipswich Hospital since 1991. She has studied POCUS since 2001. Kylie's research, specifically into lung ultrasound has been funded by two generous grants from the QLD EM Research Fund.
Dr Lexi Nikolsky
Paediatic & Gynaecological POCUS
Lexi is a FACEM from Melbourne, working at Cabrini, The Royal Women’s and The Alfred hospitals. She has CCPU's in FELS and eFAST and a keen interest in the wider applications of POCUS within the Emergency Department.
Dr Michael Schick
Team Based Learning Workshop
Mike completed his training in EM in Philadelphia & an Emergency Ultrasound fellowship at University of California Davis. He is an Assoc Prof of EM & Director of Global Ultrasound at UC Davis.
Dr Salaman Naeem
Gastrointestinal POCUS: Case-Based POCUS - Gastrointestinal & Venous Congestion Ultrasound
Salman is an EM clinician–academic with a strong focus on POCUS in prehospital/HEMS & EM. He completed a POCUS fellowship in London and other formal ultrasound qualifications. He is interested in POCUS education and capability-building.
Dr Shailesh Dass
Echocardiography: Beyond the Stethoscope - using point of care ultrasound to diagnose cardiac and pulmonary pathologies
Shailesh is an EP in QLD with extensive experience in integrating US into EM since 2006. He is the co-lead for US at Redcliffe ED, where he oversees POCUS governance, credentialing, QA & supervises trainees undertaking the ACEM US Special Skills Term.
Luke Churchill
Echocardiography: Beyond the Stethoscope - using point of care ultrasound to diagnose cardiac and pulmonary pathologies
Luke is a senior physio. As a clinician-researcher, he primarily works in the ICU and leads several research studies. By completing his PhD in lung US, he hopes to minimise pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery and drive earlier, targeted respiratory supports.
Lynne Johnson
Gastrointestinal POCUS: Case-Based POCUS - Gastrointestinal & Venous Congestion Ultrasound
Lynne is a Clinical Sonographer and SEED in the ED at Austin Health. She is currently serving as the interim chairperson of the EMUGs Board.
FUTURE IN FOCUS