The Minds
Behind The Vision
We are a dedicated group of pediatric emergency physicians at London Health Sciences Centre, committed to advancing the practice of Point of Care Ultrasound. Our mission is to integrate POCUS into pediatric acute care and foster an environment of continuous learning and excellence for the next generation of medical professionals.
Dr. Charisse Kwan
Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Point of Care Ultrasound
Dr. Charisse Kwan completed medical school at McMaster University followed by paediatric residency at Queen’s University and PEM fellowship at SickKids Hospital, Toronto. She subsequently became one of the first Paediatric Point-of-Care Ultrasound Fellows in Canada.
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Dr. Kwan worked as an attending physician and Associate Professor at SickKids, serving as POCUS Program Director for the Paediatric Emergency Department (PED and Program Director for the PEM POCUS Fellowship, before becoming Director of the POCUS Program for the PED and Program Director for the PEM POCUS Fellowship at London Health Sciences Centre.
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Her interests include clinical research and medical education research within PEM POCUS.
Dr. Justin Garabon
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound Faculty
Dr. Justin Garabon completed his PEM training at Western University before pursuing advanced fellowship training in POCUS through WesternSonoKids.
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He is a PEM consultant and Assistant Professor whose work focuses on expanding the role of ultrasound in pediatric acute care.
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He leads the development of a POCUS-guided peripheral intravenous insertion education program for nursing staff and contributes to the growth of interdisciplinary ultrasound education initiatives. His academic interests include POCUS, quality improvement, and resuscitation,Â
OUR FACULTY
Dr. Charlene Bularan
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound Faculty
Dr. Charlene Bularan finished her PEM training in the Philippines and further training in both PEM and POCUS at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Currently, she is a PEM POCUS Staff and Assistant Professor in Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Center.Â
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Her interests include integration of POCUS in quality improvement to streamline patient care as well as the incorporation of POCUS in Medical Education and Global Health.Â
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Her goal is to make POCUS accessible to all medical professionals around the by training trainers and global outreach programs.
Dr. Tasuku Takadera
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound Faculty
Dr. Tasuku Takadera completed his primary training in Japan in pediatrics, pediatric critical care, and adult emergency and critical care. During his time in emergency medicine, he also trained in diagnostic imaging, including abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography.Â
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He completed a fellowship in PEM, followed by an advanced fellowship in PEM Simulation. He is certified as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Pediatric Sonography.Â
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His interests include the development of POCUS task trainers, resuscitative POCUS, and integration of POCUS into simulation-based medical education. His goal is to build our POCUS education curriculum and program that ranks among the best in North America.
ALUMNI
Dr. Hamis Alalhareth (2025 - 2026)
Alshaqhaa graduated from King Saud University Medical City and is a PEM POCUS consultant leading a multi-centre training program in Riyadh through the Saudi Pediatric Emergency POCUS Network. His interests include the development, implementation, and evaluation of national PEM POCUS training programs in Saudi Arabia.
Alosaimi graduated from Taif University and completed his PEM training at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital. He's a Pediatric Emergency Physician currently working on a POCUS workflow improvement project, and his research interests include exploring POCUS applications and related areas within emergency medicine.
Dr. Abdulaziz Alosaimi (2025 - 2026)
Dr. Abdulrahman Alshaqhaa (2024 - 2025)
Alshaqhaa graduated from King Saud University Medical City and is a PEM POCUS consultant leading a multi-centre training program in Riyadh through the Saudi Pediatric Emergency POCUS Network. His interests include the development, implementation, and evaluation of national PEM POCUS training programs in Saudi Arabia.
Alshahrani is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and completed PEM training at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital. He is an Assistant Professor and PEM POCUS Consultant at the College of Medicine, Taif University, where he co-founded the Saudi PEM POCUS Network. His research focuses on POCUS-guided peripheral IV insertion and appendicitis assessment.
Dr. Monther Alshahrani (2023 - 2024)
Dr. Osama Hefah (2023-2024)
Hefah is a graduate of King Khalid University and completed PEM training at the National Guard Hospital. He currently serves as Head of the Emergency Department at King Khalid University Medical City, where he leads POCUS training programs and courses. His research interests include POCUS applications in pain management.
Dr. Mashari Dalbouh (2022-2023)
Dalbouh graduated from King Khalid University and completed PEM training at King Abdulaziz Medical City. He is a PEM consultant and POCUS educator in Abha, leading regional POCUS initiatives focused on clinical integration, structured training programs, trainee supervision, medical education, and quality improvement.
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NICU Fellows
Training Outcomes
1
Pediatric Surgery Fellow
5
Pediatric Residents
2
2
Adult Emergency Medicine
ICU Training