CQU’s sonography team connecting with industry

By Greg Chapman

CQUniversity sonography team members Julie Cahill and Michele Whealy are scanning for gaps in industry and training to ensure students and health providers can continue to provide their vital health service.

Julie has been teaching sonography at CQU for eight years, guiding, supporting and mentoring students to succeed in what is an intensive and highly sort after field of diagnostic medicine.

One of her other key roles is working closely with the sonography industry, collaborating with healthcare providers and maintaining strong relationships to enhance CQU’s sonography training and ongoing clinical placements for students. 

“My role as a clinical academic is a professional who bridges the gap between academia and the clinical setting, focusing on the intersection of education, research, and practical application in the health care field,” Julie said. 

“Specifically, in the realm of medical sonography, I am the go to person for industry to reach out to, whether it is to discuss a student’s progress or whether I am actively placing students with providers for placements, we are a key/core group that industry knows they can reach at any given time – an aspect I believe sets us apart from the traditional postgraduate sonography pathway.

“Over the last five years I have provided guidance to our fourth-year students through their last clinical unit, preparing them to transition successfully into their careers as graduate sonographers – this includes ensuring that students meet the necessary Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) requirements for entry-level positions,” Julie said.

Julie had many decades of professional experience as a sonographer and radiographer before joining CQU, having worked on imaging in obstetrics. 

“I believe that effective education in sonography not only enhances technical competencies, but also instils critical thinking and empathy in students, enabling them to understand and address patients' needs,” she said.

“Watching students grow into confident practitioners and contribute positively to their communities is incredibly fulfilling. Ultimately, teaching medical sonography is about shaping the future of healthcare and making a lasting impact on the field. All of this enables the core of sonography, which is best practices for best patient outcomes.

“I firmly believe that I am making a difference through my work in education and clinical practice. By training the next generation of sonographers, I am contributing to the provision of high-quality patient care. Educating students not only equips them with essential technical skills but also fosters a compassionate approach to patient interactions, ultimately enhancing the overall healthcare experience.”

Other team members are clinical academics Gina Zhang in Sydney, Kerryn Curcio in Melbourne, as well as their Work Integrated Learning Officer Vanessa Henderson.

One of Julie’s key supporters is Industry Partnership Manager Michele Whealy – who has the vital role of liaising between CQU sonography and the various healthcare providers.

“In my role I engage daily with sonographers, practice managers, and site supervisors throughout Australia,” she said.

“A key part of my role is to introduce our course and explain what training a CQU medical sonography student looks like, as well as what value they can bring to a clinical site during their placement.

“I regularly visit hospitals, radiology practices, and medical imaging facilities to discuss our students’ capabilities, assess potential placement opportunities, and ensure alignment between student competencies and site expectations.”

“Once a site expresses interest and we have reviewed the desired training outcomes, I collaborate closely with our clinical academics to match suitable students to each placement. 

“It’s a bit like matchmaking - understanding what each site is looking for and identifying which student would thrive in that environment. The clinical academics play a crucial role in this process, as they have deep insight into each student's strengths, readiness, and learning goals. 

“Ultimately, my role bridges the gap between education and industry, ensuring students are placed in supportive, relevant clinical environments while helping sites access enthusiastic future professionals who are ready to contribute and learn.”

Michele said CQU has established numerous partnerships with industry, including large national corporate radiology companies, large and small public hospitals, and private independent clinics.  

These partnerships include clinical placement agreements, industry affiliations, and contributing to feedback and advisory committees. 

“By fostering these partnerships, we are able to create a comprehensive training environment that equips our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed as competent and confident sonographers in a dynamic healthcare landscape,” she said.

“There is a misconception about the CQU course that you can only be a sonographer if you are a qualified radiographer or are training as a postgraduate student. A lot of what I do is explaining the course and how our students can be part of the solution to the shortage of sonographers.

“Industry partners are often pleasantly surprised at the skill level of our students when they do train them and that as an undergraduate, our students can undertake basic scans even as a second-year student. 

“Those early second and third year placements can be considered like a long trial before students undertake their fourth year/postgraduate placement of 35 weeks.”

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