McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Interventional Radiology (IR) Residency program at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University offers a structured and comprehensive training regimen in both diagnostic and interventional radiology. This ACGME-approved program provides a unique opportunity for residents to graduate with board certification in both disciplines, equipping them with an extensive skill set in image-guided procedures and patient care.

The IR Residency is distinct from traditional training pathways, emphasizing a balanced curriculum that allocates significant time for diagnostic radiology (DR), interventional radiology, and various clinical rotations. Candidates for the residency are typically matched directly from medical school, embarking on a five-year program that includes a clinical internship year followed by focused training in IR and DR.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to facilitate extensive hands-on experience, requiring residents to engage in at least 1,000 invasive imaging and image-guided procedures throughout their training. Northwestern’s training sites collectively perform over 15,000 interventional procedures annually, enabling residents to gain substantial exposure and experience in various specialties, including interventional oncology and vascular disease.1

Residents rotate through three primary training sites, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. The primary site, Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), is a level I trauma center with nearly 1,000 beds. It is renowned for its transplant services and is among the busiest hospitals for complex oncology procedures. Additional training locations include the Jesse Brown VA Hospital and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, which collectively enhance the educational growth of residents by exposing them to diverse patient populations and complex clinical scenarios.2

Common Procedures

The training encompasses a wide array of procedures, including but not limited to:

• Angioplasty and stenting for arterial disease
• Thrombolysis for acute clot management
• Embolization techniques for trauma and postpartum patients
• Biopsy and drainage procedures for oncology patients
• Various venous access procedures and ablation techniques
• Pain management techniques, including vertebroplasty

Application Process

To be eligible for the IR Residency, applicants must graduate from an accredited U.S. or Canadian medical college and complete one year of clinical training in an ACGME or RCPSC surgery program. The application process begins on September 1 and ends on November 1. Applications are submitted via ERAS, and interviews, which will be conducted virtually, are scheduled between November and January. Selected candidates will participate in a comprehensive interview day that includes presentations by faculty members to offer insights into the clinical and educational environment.4

Diversity and Research Opportunities

The program fosters a culture of diversity and innovation with a commitment to providing residents with ample resources for research and scholarly activity. Through dedicated mentorship and various formal training programs, residents are encouraged to integrate research into their career trajectories as physician-scientists.5

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates (IMGs), typically sponsoring J-1 visas, which are commonly used by foreign medical graduates residing in the United States for educational purposes. This level of support facilitates the participation of a diverse range of candidates in the residency program.

Competitiveness

The residency program is considered competitive, attracting a wide pool of applicants including U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). It seeks to enroll candidates who demonstrate strong academic performance, clinical skills, and a commitment to the field of interventional radiology.

Faculty and Mentorship

Residents are supported by a distinguished faculty with expertise across various domains of interventional radiology. The faculty consists of accomplished professionals who are dedicated to mentoring residents and enhancing their educational experience.6