Rebecca Theophanous, MD, MHSc

Rebecca Theophanous, MD, MHSc, is an associate professor of emergency medicine at Duke University Hospital and the emergency ultrasound director at the Durham VA Health Care System. She is actively involved with clinical ultrasound education, teaching residents and students on shift, performing weekly ultrasound image review, presenting monthly advanced ultrasound talks, and teaching at monthly resident simulation sessions. Her research work on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) includes published manuscripts and speaker presentations on three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) technology as an innovative bedside tool. Using implementation science, she has identified facilitators and barriers to POCUS training in emergency medicine physicians at Durham VA and Duke University while evaluating the program’s impact for future dissemination. Her current projects include establishing a standardized simulation model for nerve-block procedural training, assessing ultrasound competency in resident and attending physicians, and teleultrasound use to improve patient care. Dr. Theophanous was awarded the Academy of Emergency Ultrasound (AEUS) Rising Star Research Award in May 2024.  Dr. Theophanous is a reviewer for multiple medical journals and has helped write POCUS guidelines and policies as part of her hospital’s POCUS taskforce. Her academic interests include medical education and simulation, with a focus on ultrasound and critical care.