GET TO KNOW YOUR LEADERSHIP
Q&A With Taro Minami, MD, FCCP
Ultrasound and Chest Imaging Section Chair
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ member since 2005
April 28, 2026
Where do you work?
Care New England, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
What are your research interests?
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) (diaphragm ultrasound, advanced critical care echocardiography), simulation training, and human errors in medicine.
What led you to join your Network?
I have loved POCUS for more than 20 years—back when the term "point-of-care ultrasound" didn't even exist yet, and we were essentially making it up as we went. When I found the Ultrasound and Chest Imaging Section, it felt like a natural home. Twenty years in, I can confirm it is.
What achievements are you most proud of contributing to within your Network?
Helping make ultrasound education at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ not just better but genuinely fun. Ultrasound is already cool, but a boring lecture can ruin anything. I've worked hard to bring energy, creativity, and a little edutainment to our sessions, and nothing makes me happier than watching a colleague leave a workshop buzzing with excitement to pick up a probe. That never gets old.
How has being in a Network benefited your career and your experience as a ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ member?
The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Network took something I already loved and made it exponentially better. I came in with a passion for POCUS and a community I had built over the years, but the Network amplified everything: broader collaborations, national leadership opportunities, and research partnerships spanning continents. And honestly? Our Tuesday afternoon Zoom is what keeps me sane during a busy clinical week.
What are your hobbies?
Three Ms:
Milo - My brindle pug and an essential part of my daily routine. He has a remarkable talent for interrupting my work at the worst possible moments.
Music - I'm particularly devoted to Glenn Gould. During ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ 2017 in Toronto, I quietly slipped away from the conference to visit his grave and then tracked down the bronze statue of him sitting on a bench outside the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation headquarters for a photo.
Museum - For years, I made weekend pilgrimages to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to spend time with Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Millet, and Gauguin. One of their paintings inspired a presentation at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ 2025. Can you tell which one?
What is something you cannot live without (after family and friends)?
Three Ms: Milo, music, and museums. Between the three, I manage to stay sane. Mostly.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your Network peers?
I am genuinely honored to serve as your Section Chair, and I don't take the trust lightly. Feel free to reach out, and let’s talk about some fun projects! One more thing—if you are planning a trip to Japan and need recommendations, I spent ten years in Kyoto as a medical student, resident, and fellow. I know hidden gems and mistakes worth avoiding. Consider me your resource. Sayonara for now—see you at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½!
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