McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Interventional Radiology Residency at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University is an ACGME-approved program that provides comprehensive training in both diagnostic and interventional radiology. Graduates of this program will achieve board certification in both disciplines. The program offers two pathways: the Integrated Residency and the Independent Residency. The Integrated Residency is designed for those who are entering directly from medical school, lasting five years following a clinical internship year. The Independent Residency, on the other hand, is for those who have already completed a diagnostic radiology residency, typically lasting one to two years depending on prior training, with traditional diagnostic radiology graduates completing two years.

Curriculum

The residency curriculum encompasses a wide range of procedures and training experiences. Residents are mandated to participate in a minimum of 1,000 invasive imaging and image-guided procedures throughout their training. The volume of interventional procedures performed at the program’s training sites surpasses 15,000 annually, ensuring that residents gain significant exposure and experience. Common procedures include, but are not limited to:

• Arterial Disease: Angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, aortic aneurysm treatment
• Venous Disease: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) lysis, IVC filter placement and removal, varicose vein ablation
• Emergency/Trauma: Embolization of hemorrhage
• Oncology: Biopsy, venous access, chemo- and radioembolization
• Women's Health: Uterine fibroid embolization
• Neuro/Spine: Pain management, vertebroplasty, stroke management

Training Sites

The residency program includes rotations across three key training sites to provide diverse clinical exposure:

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

As the primary training location, Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) is equipped with nearly 1,000 beds and is renowned for its transplant services, trauma care, and oncology programs, offering residents exposure to advanced interventional procedures such as:

• Uterine fibroid embolization
• TIPS and portal vein recanalization
• Chronic venous occlusive disease interventions

Jesse Brown VA Hospital

Located approximately five miles from NMH, Jesse Brown VA Hospital presents a typical community hospital experience with a focus on:

• Interventional oncology
• Dialysis interventions
• Peripheral vascular disease treatments

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Lurie Children’s Hospital is a significant pediatric medical institution, providing essential exposure to pediatric interventional radiology cases including:

• Transplant and hepatobiliary interventions
• Musculoskeletal interventions

Application Process

To apply, residents must have graduated from an accredited U.S. or Canadian medical school (MD or DO) and completed one year of clinical training in an ACGME or RCPSC surgery program. Applications are filed through ERAS, opening for submissions on September 1, 2022, with a deadline of November 1. Interviews typically occur from November through January and are conducted virtually. The review committee evaluates all applications before extending interview invites, and candidates meet with the radiology department members during these sessions, including program directors and faculty presentations.

Competitiveness and Special Application Requirements

Admission into the Interventional Radiology Residency is highly competitive, requiring a strong academic background. Special application requirements also include consideration of prior experiences and training quality, particularly for international medical graduates (IMGs) or DO candidates who may find the program to be friendly to diverse educational backgrounds. Additionally, the program provides visa sponsorship options for eligible international candidates, supporting those on J-1 or H-1B visa types.

Research Opportunities

Residents in the program are encouraged to engage in research, particularly through the available resources and mentorship focused on enhancing their careers as physician-scientists. Through dedicated training initiatives and faculty collaboration, residents can integrate their clinical training with research interests across various domains within radiology.