Geisinger Health System Program

Geisinger's Department of Radiology offers a comprehensive dual certificate Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR) integrated residency program designed to equip residents with the essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in interventional radiology. This five-year integrated residency program provides a diverse training environment that focuses on developing clinical expertise and leadership within the field.

Residents begin their training with a combination of diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology rotations during the first three years (R1-R3). Throughout these years, trainees spend two blocks each year in the interventional radiology department, allowing them to build a strong foundation in both diagnostics and interventional procedures. The remaining two years (R4 and R5) are dedicated entirely to interventional radiology, where residents engage deeply in clinical practice, and their training emphasizes advanced interventional techniques and patient care.

The R4 year comprises a diverse training schedule, including one block in the ICU, six blocks in the interventional radiology department, and several blocks dedicated to research and clinical electives. The R5 year is focused heavily on IR training, typically consisting of the majority of blocks spent within the interventional radiology suite. Training in this residency ensures that upon completion, residents will have participated in approximately 24 dedicated IR rotations, qualifying them to be board-eligible for both Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology.

Geisinger also offers independent interventional radiology residency tracks, including one- and two-year programs tailored for trainees who have already completed diagnostic radiology training. The one-year independent program is designed for residents who have met the Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR) requirements, while the two-year program caters to those who have not yet satisfied those criteria. Both independent tracks effectively prepare residents to take the combined board examination for Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology.

Research Opportunities and Educational Resources

Research is a pivotal aspect of the residency programs, offering residents opportunities to collaborate with mentors on various projects. Participation in research often results in residents presenting their findings at local and national conferences. The program ensures that each resident has one academic day every two weeks dedicated to research, case log upkeep, and presentation preparation, thereby enhancing their academic experience.

In terms of educational resources, residents engage in daily morning rounds and case reviews as part of their training. Weekly didactic sessions in interventional radiology, monthly morbidity and mortality conferences, research conferences, and bimonthly journal clubs help residents stay current with advancements in the field.1 In addition, trainees receive significant financial support of $2,500 annually for educational purposes, which can be allocated for books, journals, and membership dues to professional organizations. The program also provides ten official meeting days throughout the residency.

Clinical Exposure and Procedural Experience

Clinical rotations expose residents to a broad range of patient care experiences, enhancing their proficiency in numerous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Training encompasses areas such as:

• Arterial Disease: Including endoleak embolization and pulmonary interventions.
• Gender-Specific Health: Focused on procedures like uterine artery embolization and fallopian tube recanalization.
• Gastrointestinal Tract: Including placement of feeding tubes and management of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
• Genitourinary Tract: Covering nephrostomy and ureteral stenting procedures.
• Liver and Biliary Tract: Involves complex procedures such as transjugular liver biopsy and biliary drainage techniques.
• Oncology: Involves techniques like percutaneous ablative therapies and chemoembolization.
• Pain Management: Covering procedures like kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.
• Venous Disease: Procedures include acute DVT thrombolysis and complex IVC filter management.

This extensive clinical training prepares residents to tackle a variety of medical scenarios efficiently, with an emphasis on both expert technical skills and comprehensive patient care, ensuring they emerge as well-prepared specialists.2

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The residency program at Geisinger is competitive, with a high demand for positions due to its quality of training and comprehensive curriculum. While it welcomes applications from MD and DO candidates, international medical graduates (IMGs) also have the opportunity to apply, making it a relatively diverse program in terms of applicant backgrounds. However, candidates are encouraged to review specific application requirements, such as maximum failed STEP exams and year of graduation, to ensure eligibility.3 The program also provides visa sponsorship for eligible candidates, which may include F-1 and J-1 visa types, facilitating the application process for international residents seeking training opportunities in the United States.