Program Overview
Accreditation
The training program is fully accredited by the ACGME. The program fulfills the requirements for certification by the American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiology.
Aims
The principal goals are to have each resident:
- interpret all types of diagnostic radiological examinations
- competently and comfortably perform all diagnostic radiological examinations
- direct the radiological work-up of clinical problems efficiently, economically and expeditiously
- apply the principles of radiation physics, radiation protection, radiation biology, and quality assurance
- be board certified at the end of the Diagnostic Radiology Residency
The four-year program consists of a core curriculum which includes image interpretation and instruction in radiologic procedures in all radiologic subspecialties. Junior residents are usually paired with more senior residents during their rotation. Rotations are divided either by organ system or imaging modality. All procedures and images are supervised and interpreted in conjunction with an attending radiologist.
| Summary of Training | Duration of Assignment or Rotation (Indicate Whether Weeks or Months) |
| General Radiology | (No general radiology rotation) |
| Cardiothoracic | 13 Weeks |
| Abdominal Imaging(GI/GU) | 05 Weeks |
| Musculoskeletal | 13 Weeks |
| Breast Imaging | 12 Weeks |
| Nuclear radiology | 16 Weeks |
| Neuroradiology | 13 Weeks |
| Pediatric radiology | 13 Weeks |
| Vascular/Interventional radiology | 13 Weeks |
| Emergency Radiology (if separate), including night float | 25 Weeks (9 Weeks ER/ 15 Weeks Night Float) |
| Ultrasound | 13 Weeks |
| Computed tomography | 13 Weeks |
| Magnetic resonance imaging | (Covered in organ specific rotations) |
| Pathology/AIRP | 04 Weeks |
| Research | (No specific research rotation) |
| Elective time (if not included above) | 31 Weeks |
| Vacation | 14 Weeks |
| Other – Attendance at a National Meeting during 2nd year | 01 Week |
| First Year Orientation – (1 week each of Peds, MSK, Chest, Neuro and Body Imaging) | 05 Weeks |
| Total (weeks/months) | 208 |
Click here to view a sample of the rotation schedule.
American Institute for Radiologic Pathology
All residents attend the four-week course in radiologic pathology at the AIRP in Silver Spring, MD during their third year of residency. Tuition for this course (currently $1,900) is paid by the department. The resident's salary is continued during this six-week course. It is not necessary to take vacation to attend the course and an additional $1,000 stipend is meant to defray traveling and lodging cost associated with the course.The Center for NMR Research
The Department of Radiology's Center for NMR Research has 6,500 sq. ft. of laboratory space, which includes: biochemical, electronic, and a fully equipped machine shop. A new 3T research magnet has recently been installed, with full function MRI capabilities. In addition, the NMR Research facility utilizes a Bruker AM-400 WB NMR spectrometer with micro imaging accessory upgraded with a Tecmag Apollo console; an Oxford 1.9 Tesla, 26 CM bore magnet with Tecmag Apollo console; and a Bruker S-300, 90 cm bore, 3.0 Tesla whole body MR spectrometer/imager with Advance digital electronic and Paravision software.
Resident Scholarly Activity
All resident are required to complete a scholarly project during their residency. That may take the form of hypothesis driven research, a case report, scientific presentation or educational poster. Resident research is strongly encouraged though not mandatory. Research opportunities are available in each division of the department.
Orientation
A five week orientation to Radiology is designed specifically for first-year residents. The purpose of the orientation is to learn the policies and procedures of the Radiology Department and gain a practical overview on how the department operates. The new residents spend one week with the Chest, Musculoskeletal, Pediatric, Body Imaging and Neuroimaging Divisions during this orientation. The residents work directly with the technologists to gain an appreciation and familiarity with their skills. The orientation includes presentations and workshops with emphasis on technique, systematic approach to a radiological study and the basic rules and procedures within the division. This orientation is an excellent way for the new residents to acquire an overview of how the department functions and an excellent opportunity for the staff to meet the new residents.
RI Curriculum
For the entire first year, there is a dedicated R1 curriculum consisting of a series of tutorials based on specific reading assignments. These tutorials are conducted once per week and their emphasis is on providing a foundation of radiology knowledge at a first year level
The salary structure for 2011/2012 is as follows:
| R2(PGY2) | $51,500 |
| R3(PGY3) | $53,000 |
| R4(PGY4) | $55,000 |
| R5(PGY5) | $57,000 |
All first-year residents are paid PGY2 salaries regardless of previous experience. Traditionally, there has been a modest annual cost of living adjustment. It is a policy of Penn State University that paychecks be directly deposited.
Educational Allowance
Each resident is given a $3000 education allowance for the four-year residency. This stipend may be used for books, educational software, professional meetings and living expenses at the AFIP. An additional $1,000 per year is used to defray travel and lodging costs at the AFIP course.
Moonlighting
First-year residents are not allowed to moonlight. Second, third- and fourth-year residents may work up to ten hours per week performing extra clinical service (evenings, weekends, holidays) at approved facilities. Moonlighting must not conflict with resident training or educational assigned time and must be approved by the Program Director. Third- and fourth-year residents may also take locum tenens jobs during vacation time. It is the responsibility of the resident to provide malpractice insurance during any locums. Click here for the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Moonlighting Policy
Didactic Conferences
There are five scheduled conferences per week. Conferences are conducted from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM and consist of a didactic lecture followed by a case conference. All of the subspecialty areas that are included in the ABR Board Examination (e.g. gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neuroradiology, etc.) are covered during these conferences. Each subspecialty area is coordinated by a faculty member who is an expert in that field. Each coordinator presents a curriculum over two years, so that during a four-year residency, the entire curriculum of each subspecialty is presented twice. A comprehensive radiation physics course is an integral component of this curriculum.
In addition to formal conferences, numerous clinical conferences occur within each division of the Department of Radiology. These include Pediatric Surgery and the Pediatric Specialty of Neonatology, Pulmonary Radiology, ENT, Angio-Interventional, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Rheumatology, Lymphoma, Tumor Board, and Gastro-intestinal Radiology Pathology conferences.
Click here to view a sample conference schedule.
Visiting Professor Program
Each year, six internationally renowned academic radiologists are invited to lecture in our department. It is an outstanding opportunity for the residents to meet these distinguished academicians. Each visiting professor presents two conferences. Residents are excused from clinical duties to attend these presentations. Click here to view past visiting professors.
Resident Lecture
Second and third year residents are expected to prepare and present a lecture to their peers. These presentations form part of each resident's evaluation and historically have been of exceptional quality.
Medical Student Lecture
Radiology residents are expected to give a monthly lecture to third- and fourth-year medical students taking their radiology elective.
American Board of Radiology
Radiology didactic conferences and clinical experience prepare residents with exceptional knowledge to take the American Board of Radiology written and oral examinations.
National Meeting Attendance Policy
Each second year resident is encouraged to attend a one-week scientific national meeting. A stipend up to $1500 is provided to offset expenses. Third-year residents are given 20 working days to attend the AFIP 4 week course. Four additional days are given to all residents to attend the American Board of Radiology (ABR) written and oral Board examinations. The Chief Residents are entitled to two additional funded CME meetings. Residents presenting papers or exhibits at regional and national meetings are also funded to attend.
- The A3CR2 Meeting; and
- either the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society or the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
The current call system was developed by our residents.
RI 'Buddy Call'
First-year residents take no overnight or primary independent call. A 'buddy' system is operated for the first 9 months of the year in which a senior resident is on primary call. During this time, the first-year resident is primarily responsible for initial interpretation of all plain films in the Emergency Department. Final interpretations are done by the supervising faculty. Duty hours are from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM during weekdays and on weekends from 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. The frequency of R1 call is about one day per week, and one weekend in six. During the final 3 months of the first year, the resident assumes greater call responsibility (cross-sectional imaging) to allow for their transition to Primary Call as a second-year resident.
RII-RIV Senior Call
A night float system is operated a week at a time with overlapping shifts to ensure on time completion of responsibilities.
Night Shift Call: 5:00 PM - Midnight for one week
Frequency of Call: RII = 3 weeks per year, RIII = 3 weeks per year, RIV = 8 weeks per year.
Night Float Call: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM for one week
Frequency of Call: RII = 3 weeks per year, RIII = 3 weeks per year, RIV = 8 weeks per year.
Evening Call: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday through Friday
Frequency: 11 per year
Other Opportunities
The department offers fellowships in radiology subspecialties after a formal radiology residency. Fellowships, one or two years long, are tailored to the background, capabilities, and interests of the individual. Application is made directly to the Division Chief.
Interventional Radiology
Approximately one week every three weeks during Interventional Radiology rotation. No other call responsibilities are assigned during this time. A call room is provided in the Department of Radiology.