Curriculum
Our curriculum fosters intellectual curiosity, innovation and a commitment to lifelong learning. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, self-directed study and case-based learning, our educational model is centered on active engagement and critical thinking.
Clinical training emphasizes imaging appropriateness and radiology-pathology correlations. Residents gain broad exposure to all radiology subspecialties and imaging modalities, with senior residents offered elective rotations tailored to their interests, including community-focused experiences such as teleradiology and mobile mammography outreach.
Curriculum by Year
All first-year rotations are four weeks in length and are organized using both organ-system-based and modality-based approaches. The curriculum is designed to provide junior residents with broad exposure to all imaging modalities and organ systems – including breast imaging – during their first year and to prepare residents for the emergency radiology evening call-rotation of the second year. To support focused and individualized learning, only one first-year resident is assigned to each rotation at a time. This allows for enhanced mentorship and personalized attention.
Each first-year rotation incorporates structured independent learning through daily study assignments. These assignments are topic-based, align with the specific curriculum and learning objectives for each rotation and may include educational videos, readings, online modules and case reviews. This structured approach removes the guesswork for new radiology residents by clearly outlining what and how to study off-service, effectively supplementing on-service clinical learning.
Rotations include:
- Chest Imaging
- Body CT
- Ultrasound (2 rotations, 8 weeks total)
- Neuroradiology (2 rotations, 8 weeks total)
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- GI/GU Fluoroscopy
- Pediatric Imaging
- Breast Imaging
- Interventional Radiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Emergency Radiology (day shift)
Second-year rotations are designed to build upon the strong foundation established during the first year, offering residents increased clinical responsibility, greater autonomy and expanded exposure to advanced imaging modalities. Residents begin to engage more deeply with complex studies, particularly in MRI, and take on more active roles in image interpretation and clinical decision-making. In interventional radiology, second-year residents are entrusted with greater procedural responsibility, enhancing their technical skills and confidence in performing image-guided interventions.
A major milestone of the second year is participation in the emergency radiology evening independent call rotation. This experience marks a critical step in resident development, as it requires independent interpretation of emergent studies across multiple subspecialties, with appropriate backup from attending radiologists. These second-year responsibilities reflect the program’s commitment to progressive independence, fostering the clinical judgment and diagnostic acumen required for senior-level training and beyond.
Rotations include:
- Body CT
- Breast Imaging
- Emergency Radiology (day shift)
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Emergency Radiology (evening call)
- Pediatric Imaging
- Chest Imaging
- Ultrasound
- Body MRI
- Interventional Radiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- GI/GU Fluoroscopy
- Neuroradiology
Third-year rotations expand upon the clinical knowledge, technical skills and autonomy gained during the first two years. Greater independence is balanced with opportunities to serve as mentors and educators for junior residents and medical students on service.
All third-year residents attend the four-week American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) course, a cornerstone of radiology training that enhances their ability to integrate pathologic correlations with imaging findings. This year also introduces a dedicated cardiac imaging rotation, offering experience in both cardiac CT and MRI. Additionally, residents are granted elective time, allowing them to explore specific areas of interest, pursue research or deepen expertise in subspecialties of their choosing. The third year culminates with residents taking the American Board of Radiology Qualifying (Core) Exam, a key milestone in the certification process and a demonstration of their comprehensive knowledge and readiness for advanced training.
Rotations include:
- Breast Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Emergency Radiology (evening call)
- Interventional Radiology
- Neuroradiology
- AIRP
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Ultrasound
- Body MRI
- Cardiac Imaging
- Pediatric Imaging
- Chest Imaging
- Elective
The fourth and final year of Diagnostic Radiology Residency is designed to refine residents’ expertise, solidify subspecialty skills and support individualized professional development in preparation for independent practice or fellowship training. Building on the foundation of the preceding years, fourth-year residents are granted a high degree of autonomy and take on leadership roles within the clinical environment. They continue to mentor junior residents and medical students, contributing to the academic and collaborative culture of the department.
The year includes dedicated rotations in MRI, offering in-depth experience with complex neuroradiology, body and musculoskeletal case interpretation. Final required rotations in nuclear medicine and breast imaging ensure that residents meet all clinical competencies and board eligibility requirements. In addition, residents have 28 weeks of elective time, allowing for focused subspecialty training, research or completion of fellowship-related or future employment-related goals. This flexible structure empowers residents to tailor their training to align with their career aspirations and practice interests.
Rotations include:
- Neuroradiology MRI
- Breast Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Musculoskeletal MRI
- Body MRI
- Emergency Radiology (evening call)
- Elective (7 rotations, 28 weeks total)
Call Structure
Independent call is a vital component of radiology training and a powerful catalyst for growth. The experience of functioning autonomously – making diagnostic decisions, formulating reports and understanding their direct impact on patient care – is essential in building the confidence and clinical judgment necessary for independent practice after graduation. At the same time, we recognize that on-call responsibilities must be carefully balanced with the demands of a rigorous educational curriculum and a strong commitment to resident wellness and work-life balance.
To that end, we have thoughtfully designed an emergency radiology evening-shift rotation, which residents will complete during their second, third and fourth years of training. This four-week rotation provides residents with progressive autonomy in a supportive environment. From 5 p.m.-midnight, Monday through Friday, residents will work independently in the emergency radiology reading room, aligned with the workflow of our attending emergency radiologists. This structure offers the opportunity to develop critical decision-making skills while ensuring attending backup and guidance are readily available.
Importantly, residents will receive real-time feedback during each shift and all studies will be reviewed with an attending prior to the end of the evening. This model not only promotes resident growth and accountability but also reinforces a culture of safety, continuous learning and support. Through this experience, our residents will gain the confidence and competence needed to transition successfully into independent clinical practice.