Friday, 3 July 2026
Meet the Speakers: Insights from the Hobart Summit Program
Ahead of the ASA Sonography Summit Hobart on 11–13 September 2026, we caught up with the presenters behind this year's Musculoskeletal, Gynaecology and Vascular streams. Read on as they share insights into their sessions, the practical skills delegates will gain and what they're most looking forward to presenting in Hobart.
What are you most looking forward to sharing with delegates during your session at the Hobart Summit?
JA: Gynaecological ultrasound is my passion. While I also enjoy obstetrics, pregnancy is a finite period, whereas the uterus and ovaries are with women for most of their lives. There are a few key elements I am looking forward to sharing with you at the ASA Summit in Hobart. Ovarian Masses: The IOTA group has just released a revision of their terms and definitions, so I am going to update you on the changes. Infertility: The request says, "Failed IVF cycles or recurrent miscarriage (IVF)." When cycles fail or patients experience recurrent miscarriage, they may be sent for a dedicated pelvic ultrasound performed by a sonographer. In this presentation, I will give you some things to look out for when scanning these patients. Fibroids: Although a benign mass, fibroids can negatively impact patients. In this presentation, I will discuss fibroids and give you tools to use to systematically report them for patients with infertility and menstrual symptoms.
CS: I'm looking forward to simplifying the endometriosis scan and showing sonographers how achievable a structured approach can be. I'm excited to bring clarity to assessing the adolescent pelvis, including when a transvaginal scan is appropriate. The Gynaecology Stream will close with a lively Q&A and interactive quiz that brings key concepts together in an enjoyable, collaborative format.
"Gynaecological ultrasound is my passion. I'm looking forward to sharing practical updates that delegates can apply in everyday clinical practice"
What can delegates expect to learn or take away from your session(s), and why is this topic particularly relevant to sonographers today?
JA: Never approach a pelvic ultrasound thinking, "It's just a quick pelvic." The uterus and ovaries are reproductive organs, but outside of pregnancy, they need to be carefully assessed when a patient presents with symptoms of infertility and menstrual-related symptoms, such as heavy menstrual bleeding. When you leave Hobart, I am hoping to have armed you with the tools to take into your clinical practice when you are performing pelvic ultrasounds.
CS: Delegates will gain a clear, practical framework for assessing the adolescent pelvis and performing endometriosis and adenomyosis ultrasound with confidence. They'll leave with guidance they can immediately apply in clinical practice, particularly around offering transvaginal scanning in younger patients. With more adolescents presenting with pelvic pain and suspected endometriosis, these skills are essential for delivering timely, patient-centred imaging and supporting improved patient outcomes.
What are you most looking forward to sharing with delegates during your session at the Hobart Summit?
HE: As sonographers, our role is to provide a high-quality diagnostic service to our referring clinicians. One of the greatest challenges in vascular ultrasound is understanding exactly what information vascular surgeons need from an examination. During the Summit, I will share insights gained from working closely with a team of six vascular surgeons, along with practical tips and educational strategies to help sonographers confidently approach future vascular examinations. I am also passionate about the role of sonography in assessing women with pelvic venous disorders (PeVD), including the importance of postural changes during examination and the significant impact accurate diagnosis can have on women living with chronic pelvic pain.
MA: I'm excited to share practical insights from my work as a specialist vascular sonographer, focusing on everyday vascular ultrasound studies that are also performed by general sonographers, with the goal of improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. I'll also be delivering an in-depth session on arteriovenous fistula ultrasound, an area that remains underrepresented, even within vascular practice. This talk will highlight key scanning techniques, common pitfalls, and the unique haemodynamics of upper limb access.
"One of the greatest challenges in vascular ultrasound is understanding exactly what information vascular surgeons need from an examination."
What can delegates expect to learn or take away from your session(s), and why is this topic particularly relevant to sonographers today?
HE: Delegates can expect to leave with practical techniques and protocols that can be readily incorporated into, or adapted for, their own departments. These presentations are supported by the latest evidence-based research, providing attendees with current knowledge and best-practice approaches. As endovascular intervention becomes increasingly common, the sessions on arterial and venous ultrasound studies will focus on the sonographer's role in delivering clinically relevant information that assists vascular surgeons in planning appropriate interventions and determining potential access sites for endovascular procedures.
MA: Delegates will gain practical, immediately applicable insights to improve confidence and accuracy in everyday vascular ultrasound, with a focus on refining technique and recognising clinically important findings. Both sessions are evidence-based and brought to life through real-world case studies that clearly demonstrate key disease processes. I'll also be running a vascular-based quiz during my final session to test the knowledge gained throughout the weekend's vascular presentations.
What are you most looking forward to sharing with delegates during your session at the Hobart Summit?
AF: I'm excited to share some of the pearls, pitfalls and hidden gems of musculoskeletal ultrasound that can easily be overlooked in day-to-day practice. We'll dive into commonly misunderstood aspects of foot and ankle imaging, explore the latest developments in hamstring ultrasound and discuss how emerging evidence is shaping the management of elite athletes. I'll also be presenting a series of interesting sports injury cases that combine real-world clinical scenarios with key ultrasound findings, practical take-home messages and a few surprises along the way.
"With musculoskeletal imaging continuing to grow in both complexity and demand, there's never been a better time to sharpen these skills."
What can delegates expect to learn or take away from your session(s), and why is this topic particularly relevant to sonographers today?
AF: Delegates can expect a highly practical session packed with tips, tricks and diagnostic insights they can apply immediately in the scanning room. Whether you're an experienced MSK sonographer or only perform these examinations occasionally, we'll cover useful approaches to common presentations such as hamstring and quadriceps injuries, acute ankle trauma and other sports-related conditions. My aim is to share the subtle ultrasound findings and clinical clues that can elevate confidence, improve diagnostic accuracy and ultimately help sonographers get even more value from every examination.
Ready to join us in Hobart? Explore the full program and join us for an immersive weekend of practical education, expert presenters and meaningful professional connections. Places are limited, so don't miss your opportunity to be part of this unique educational experience.