Dr. Michelle Fenech
PhD, MSc, Grad Dip Med Ultrasound, BAppScSenior Lecturer in Medical Sonography
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
Level 8 160 Ann Street - 8.14
Michelle is a teaching scholar, researcher, accredited medical sonographer and radiographer. As a teaching scholar, Michelle actively teaches in the medical sonography discipline. She is recognised as a principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy, PFHEA (Advance HE), and has received numerous learning and teaching awards.
As a sonographer, Michelle is actively involved in clinical research in conjunction with the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital (RBWH) and specialises and trains sonographers in musculoskeletal ultrasound. She holds the position of current chair of the Musculoskeletal Special Interest Group (MSK SIG) of the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA). She has been heavily involved in this body throughout her career, which was recognised in 2022 with the ASA Pru Pratten lifetime achievement award and 'Sonographer of the year' award. She is also a member of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) of the ASA and is a Fellow of the ASA. Michelle is a regular invited keynote speaker for national and international conferences. She is Deputy Editor of the 'Ultrasound' journal, which is associated with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).
Michelle is actively involved in research involving musculoskeletal ultrasound, imaging anatomy and learning and teaching. She is an active member of CREATE (Centre for Research in Equity and Advancement of Teaching and Education) at CQU.
Background
Michelle's PhD investigated ankle ligament injuries, and the sonographic changes identified. Michelle gained her undergraduate degree in Medical Imaging Technology (QUT). In her clinical work as a radiographer she specialized in MRI from 1994 - 2002. She was involved in establishing MRI scanners at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane (1995) and at The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane (2001). As a sonographer, she has worked in both private and public settings and also worked extensively with the Department of Defence.
Universities Studied At
PhD, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2020.
Master of Research QUT, 2010.
Grad Diploma Medical Ultrasound (with Distinction), QUT, 2000.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging with Distinction) QUT, 1990-1992.
Universities Worked At
Central Queensland University - 2013 - present.
Awards
Principal Fellow of the Higher Education academy - PFHEA (Advance HE), 2023.
Pru Pratten, Lifetime Achievement award - Australasian Sonographer's Association (ASA), 2022.
National Sonographer of the year award (ASA), 2022.
Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exemplary Practice in Learning and Teaching, CQU 2021.
Fellow of the ASA (FASA), 2020.
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2020.
Associate Fellow of the ASA (AFASA), 2018.
Student voice award CQU, 2018.
Highest academic achievement award for Grad Dip Medical Ultrasound (QUT), 2000.
Highest academic achievement award, and Deans award for Academic excellence (Bachelor of Applied Science, Medical Imaging Technology (QUT) 1990-1992.
Previous teaching
Michelle has been involved in developing the articulated undergraduate and post graduate Medical Sonography (CG91), the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Ultrasound (CH86), and the Master of Medical Ultrasound (CV83 and CM53) courses. She has also transitioned the Master of Medical Ultrasound from traditional term based learning to hyperflexible learning on CQUs Be Different platform (Launched 2023).
Michelle was involved in the inception and continuation of the ASA education committee from 2001 - 2008.
She is also involved in training Defence medical, nursing and allied health personnel in the use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and training of GPs and Specialists in the use of FAST, EFAST and RUSH protocols.
Professional Experience
Qualified Radiographer and Sonographer - working in the medical Imaging field as a Qualified Health Practitioner since 1992.
Qualified Sonographer - worked in Private Practice, public sector since 2000 and worked with the Department of Defence for as a Reporting Sonographer and trainer of point of care ultrasound.
Professional Memberships
Michelle has memberships with:
ASAR - Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry - Michelle is an Accredited Medical Sonographer (AMS)
ASA - Australasian Sonographers Association - Michelle is currently the Chair of the Musculoskeletal Special Interest Group (MSK SIG) of the ASA and a member of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC). She is a full fellow and lifetime member of the ASA.
Currently Deputy Editor of the UK journal "Ultrasound" which is associated with the professional body: British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS)
Currently a peer reviewer for the ASA journal 'Sonography'.
Responsibilities
Currently Head of Course Medical Sonography Post Graduate Studies at CQU.
Currently member of the Musculoskeletal Special Interest group and Educational Advisory Committee of the ASA .
Peer Reviewer ASA journal, Sonography.
Professional Interests
Regular invited speaker/keynote speaker at national/international radiology and ultrasound conferences.
Regular invited keynote presenter of interactive ultrasound workshops internationally.
Presenter for Radiology Across Borders (RAB).
Industry Reports
Michelle has received grant funding to undertake research to inform the development of a sonographer career framework for Australia.
Editor
Deputy Editor of the UK based journal "Ultrasound". It is the journal for the professional body: British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).
Accreditation
I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:
- 3999 Other Education
- 3202 Clinical Sciences
- 3901 Curriculum and Pedagogy
- 4207 Sports science and exercise
- 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
- 4203 Health services and systems
Current Capacity
Current Supervision
Other biomedical and clinical sciences - Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
Michelle has an interest in anatomy research and imaging of anatomy
Other biomedical and clinical sciences - Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
Michelle has an interest in diagnosing metastatic cancerous spread to lymph nodes of the body to inform patient management and treatment.
Curriculum and Pedagogy - Medicine, Nursing and Health Curriculum and Pedagogy
Michelle has an interest in anatomy education, and developing opportunities for peer interaction in online learning.
Education Systems - Higher Education
Allied health and rehabilitation science - Allied health and rehabilitation science not elsewhere classified
Michelle has an interest in researching musculoskeletal imaging, in particular nerves, ligaments, muscles and tendons.
