An ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit ultrasound waves into an exam site and receive therefrom echo signals; an image processor configured to generate an ultrasound image from the received echo signals; a primary display configured to display the ultrasound image generated by the image processor; and a removable touch panel comprising a secondary display configured to display a first graphical user interface comprising controls for accessing a first set of functions of the ultrasound imaging system while the removable touch panel is docked with the ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, the removable touch panel, in response to being undocked from the ultrasound imaging system, is configured to automatically replace the first graphical user interface with a second graphical user interface optimized for remote control of ultrasound imaging system, wherein the second graphical user interface comprises a display area configured to display the generated ultrasound image and a control area comprising controls for accessing a second set of functions of the ultrasound imaging system.