Local Physicians and Medical Students Learn Ultrasound Skills at CHSU
October 19, 2026
California Health Sciences University hosted a point-of-care ultrasound training on October 17 at the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Simulation Center. Facilitated by Sidney James, DO, the training invited local physicians and medical students for introductory and intermediate sessions focused on building practical handheld ultrasound skills.
The introductory session covered the basics of using the handheld Butterfly IQ device and ultrasound equipment. Participants in the intermediate session used the Butterfly IQ to practice cardiac scanning and worked with simulation mannequins to locate simulated veins.
Each session offered up to three AOA Category 1-A continuing medical education credits. The hands-on training also gave participants a chance to learn from physicians with experience using ultrasound in clinical settings. Student Doctor Vaishnavi Puppali attended the event and shared how learning from CHSU alumna Laura Gutierrez-Rivera, DO, made the experience especially meaningful.
“Learning from Dr. Laura Gutierrez-Rivera was an honor! She was so patient teaching me how to image different structure on the SPs and hearing her own tips and tricks made the whole experience so approachable. She also taught me more higher level signs and clinical connections she encounters in the ED, it was so amazing to get a view into the future!
As a first year, it sometimes feels overwhelming with all the different content thrown at us, it’s a good feeling to see where it all will eventually lead and inspires me to work harder.”
— Student Doctor Vaishnavi Puppali, CHSU-COM
Steven Howell, MD, an attending emergency medicine physician at Saint Agnes Health and CHSU-COM Simulation Fellow, and Laura Gutierrez-Rivera, DO, chief resident at Kaweah Health, CHSU-COM adjunct faculty member and 2024 alumna, assisted with the training.
