UCSD
THE DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The Department of Radiology at UCSD has a large, nationally and internationally recognized faculty whose members subspecialize in all fields of clinical radiology and radiologic research. At UCSD, you will learn from world-renowned educators and have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research in a pleasant and intellectually stimulating environment.
Three tracks are available within our Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program. We are currently ACGME approved for 40 Diagnostic Radiology Residents. Each year we recruit approximately 6 residents for our 4-year Traditional Track, 3 residents for our 5-Year Research Track and 1 resident for our DIRECT Pathway Track.
4-Year Traditional Track
Four Years of Clinical Radiology
This traditional pathway provides extensive training in all aspects of clinical radiology. All modalities are covered, including Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, PET, PET-CT, MRI, CT, Scintigraphy, and Radiography. All subspecialties are covered with dedicated faculty, including obstetrical/fetal imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular and interventional radiology, body imaging, neuroradiology, head and neck imaging, pediatrics, chest and cardiac imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, physics, nuclear medicine, and breast imaging.
Each resident spends four week periods in subspecialty sections at UCSD Medical Center, VA Medical Center, Thornton Hospital, and Children's Hospital. All institutions are equipped with PACS. The resident works closely with a member of the faculty on a one-to-one basis. Intensive exposure to each of the clinical areas and appropriate staff is assured for every resident. Time and opportunity for clinical laboratory research projects are also available.
5-Year Research Track
One Year of Research
Four Years of Clinical Radiology
This pathway is for the budding academic radiologist who wishes to perform research and publish early in residency. These residents push the envelope of radiology knowledge and are all but guaranteed a prestigious position in academic radiology.
The Chairman of our department, Dr. William G. Bradley, a distinguished neuroradiologist and world renowned pioneering MR scientist, has continued to expand the already extensive research infrastructure present at UCSD. The department has numerous facilities including a 3T MR unit, under the directorship of Dr. Graeme Bydder, a world renowned MR scientist and researcher, for basic and applied research as well as a long tradition of superior clinical research. The Functional MRI center has four dedicated research magnets for both animal and human studies. In addition, we are continually updating our magnets, scanners, and angiography suites to provide the latest tools for clinical research.
DIRECT Pathway
The DIRECT (Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Enhanced Clinical Training and Certification) Pathway is an American Board of Radiology pilot program and is currently being offered by our Department. This Pathway allows a resident, who has already completed two years of clinical training in another specialty, to complete a four-year Diagnostic Radiology residency and be eligible for the subspecialty VIR certificate from the American Board of Radiology. Additional information concerning this Pathway can be located on the American Board of Radiology website http://www.theabr.org/
CONFERENCES AND DIDACTICS
Noon Conference- These daily didactic and case-based conferences are provided for all residents at the VA and UCSD Medical Center.
Core Lecture Series- Twice a week the residents have didactic lectures covering all topics in radiology on a two-year rotating schedule.
Physics Lecture Series- Our Physics Division conducts weekly didactic lectures to prepare residents for the physics portion of the Boards.
"Curie"osity Lecture Series- These lectures cover non-interpretive topics in radiology such as risk management, debt management, ethics, contract negotiation, and radiology politics.
George Leopold Club- Dr. George Leopold, our former chairman, started this program meeting first year residents each week until they finish a general radiology textbook. Dr. Katherine Richman, our former Program Director, will be teaching this group beginning in September 2010.
Section Conferences- Residents attend section and multi-specialty conferences related to their current rotation. These conferences enhance the residents' understanding of the role of the radiologist in patient care.
Bone Conference- Dr. Donald Resnick and his musculoskeletal department give case- based conferences and didactic lectures every Thursday and Saturday morning.
Grand Rounds- Twice a month, prominent radiologists from our own faculty and around the country focus on the newest developments in basic research and clinical interpretation.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Meetings: The department allows residents to attend scientific meetings when they are presenting a paper. Expenses up to $1000 each year are reimbursed for travel to meetings if the resident is the first author on a paper or exhibit.
AIRP: Each resident is given the opportunity to attend the four-week course at the American Institute Radiologic Pathology in Washington, D.C. Tuition is paid by the department and a stipend of up to $1,500 is available to each resident for expenses.
Vacations: Residents receive four weeks of paid vacation per year (20 working days).
Maternity/Paternity Leave: Residents are allowed (in addition to vacation time) 4 weeks for maternity leave or 2 weeks for paternity leave.
Medical Coverage: The University offers an excellent health benefit package for residents. Professional liability insurance is supplied by UCSD Medical Center. Residents are officially registered as graduate students at UCSD.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be in their fourth year of medical school or a graduate of an American or Canadian medical school (including osteopathic schools). In addition, the applicant must either be eligible for licensure or hold a valid medical license in the State of California.
Applicants must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
International Medical Graduates will be considered on an individual basis. UCSD accepts ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas. Please note that H-1 visas are not available to trainees at our institution.
This residency program requires a non-radiology clinical internship prior to beginning radiology training. The application process for internship is entirely separate from this radiology residency application process. Your internship does not need to be at UCSD Medical Center.
November 1, 2010 is the deadline for all application materials. However, for current graduating seniors, we are aware your Student Performance Evaluation Letter (Dean's Letter) will arrive soon after November 1st , and we will extend our deadline to November 3, 2010. Once applications are received and reviewed by members of our Selection Committee, you may be contacted to schedule a personal interview with members of the Committee. Please do not anticipate any correspondence from our Selection Committee concerning interviews until the end of November. We receive approximately 500 applications and interview approximately 70 applicants each year. All interviews are scheduled during the month of January.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We are often asked about our selection criteria for granting interviews. We have listed answers to some of the most common asked questions concerning this process.
USMLE Scores- We do not use USMLE cutoff scores. The Selection Committee reviews each application in it's entirety and considers the USMLE score in conjunction with the entire application.
Medical School Graduation-No cutoff for year of graduation from medical school.
International Medical Graduates-International Medical Graduates are accepted into the program if they met all screening criteria and the applicant qualifies for a J-1 visa through the ECFMG.
Letters of Recommendation-Three letters of recommendation are required. At least one letter should be from a radiologist who knows you well and is familiar with your clinical work. You may submit more than three letters.
Transitional Year-We do not offer a Transitional Year as part of our program.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews are held on six days in the month of January at the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. We begin our interview day at 7:45 am and will conclude in the late afternoon. An optional "low key" dinner is available the night before interviews and is an excellent opportunity to meet the residents and find out more about the program.
Schedule for Interviews
7:55 am Orientation and Welcome – Tudor H. Hughes, M.D., Program Director
8:20 am Research Overview – Robert Mattrey, M.D., Vice-Chair of Research
8:40 am Welcome – William G. Bradley, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman
9:00 – 12:00 pm Interviews with Selection Committee and Research Committee
12:00 pm Noon Conference
1:00 pm Lunch with residents
2:30 pm Meet with Research Faculty – UCSD Moores Cancer Center
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The UCSD School of Medicine, Office of Graduate Medical Education has information on their website concerning terms and conditions of appointment, sample appointment letters and housestaff benefits. This information can be found at
http://meded.ucsd.edu/gme/
You may also wish to visit our residents' website
http://radiology.ucsd.edu/radres/ to obtain more information concerning the program from our residents' perspective.
If you have questions about the status of your application, contact Kathleen Shepherd, the Residency Program Coordinator, at (619) 543-3534 or send an email message:
[email protected].
Visiting Resident Electives
The Department of Radiology offers electives to visiting residents currently enrolled in ACGME accredited training programs. These electives are arranged 3-4 months in advance of the date of arrival. Interested residents will need to contact the program coordinator with the following information:
* Exact dates of the requested elective, usually 4-weeks.
* Subspecialty of interest: Body Imaging, Chest Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Musculoskeletal Imaging, Neuroradiology, or Vascular & Interventional Radiology.
* Current CV.
The program coordinator will send the elective request and CV to the Chief of the Division for approval. Once the elective time is approved, the program coordinator will contact the visiting resident with information needed to complete an appointment though the Office of Graduate Medical Education. For more information or to apply for a visiting resident elective, please contact Kathleen Shepherd at:
[email protected].
