Temple University Hospital Program

The Interventional Radiology residency program at Temple University Hospital offers a five-year ACGME accredited integrated IR/DR (Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology) radiology residency. Aimed at providing a robust educational and practical experience, the program accepts two residents each year. Following a one-year preliminary or transitional internship year, residents will undertake three years of diagnostic radiology training alongside their diagnostic radiology peers, subsequently followed by two dedicated years in interventional radiology. This format enables residents to achieve board eligibility for the IR/DR certificate.

The program prides itself on providing comprehensive training that emphasizes both diagnostic and interventional radiology. It emphasizes superior clinical patient care delivered within an academic tertiary and quaternary care environment. The interventional radiology department performs a significant volume of procedures, with over 12,000 IR procedures conducted annually across Temple University Hospital and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. This high volume of procedures allows residents ample opportunity to surpass the minimum procedural requirements, preparing them for the demands of future attending positions in interventional radiology 1.

Training and Educational Environment

The training experience is hands-on, encompassing procedural training, where residents are engaged in all aspects of patient care, including consult management, pre-procedure evaluations, treatment planning, post-procedure care, outpatient consultations, and discharge processes. Residents are mandated to participate in daily board rounds, weekly film rounds, inpatient rounds, tumor boards, resident conferences, as well as morbidity and mortality conferences. Furthermore, residents and faculty are actively involved in research projects that foster publication and presentation opportunities at key academic meetings 1.

Lecture Series and Conferences

Residents participate in an IR residency lecture series, which consists of conferences covering both vascular and non-vascular interventions, in addition to other IR-related topics. The program also includes didactic lectures, journal clubs, and case-based lectures, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Unique Rotations

Training goes beyond traditional interventional radiology as residents will complete specialized rotations, including one month in the Temple surgical intensive care unit to enhance their skills in managing critically ill patients, one month focused on non-invasive peripheral vascular lab interpretation, and a month at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) to gain valuable exposure to pediatric interventional radiology 1.

Program Objectives

The program is designed with several key aims: to cultivate a supportive educational environment based on evidence-based medicine, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the clinical care of patients undergoing interventional radiology procedures, to foster expertise in imaging techniques and procedures integral to the field, and to provide opportunities for research, teaching, and mentoring for those pursuing academic careers 1.

Training Locations

Temple University Hospital serves as the primary training site, which is a 721-bed facility recognized for its advanced specialty services. It sees over 330,000 outpatient visits and handles more than 36,000 admissions annually, making it a pivotal site for hands-on training experiences. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art interventional radiology facilities, including four dedicated IR suites and advanced imaging technologies. Additionally, training at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, a prestigious cancer specialty hospital with National Cancer Institute designation, adds invaluable experience focusing on cancer-related procedures 4.

Application Requirements

Applicants interested in the program must complete their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Essential application components include a medical school transcript, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and USMLE scores, with Step 1 being mandatory, while Step 2 is preferred. The interview process typically spans various months, considering candidates applying for both the Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology programs, with the opportunity to coordinate interviews 5.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The residency program is known to be competitive, offering opportunities for both U.S. medical graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs) and DO candidates. The program supports visa sponsorship, primarily through J-1 and H-1B visa types for qualified applicants, ensuring inclusion of diverse applicants who meet the program's rigorous standards 5.

Resident Life

Life as a resident at Temple is marked by a collaborative spirit, underlined by an emphasis on teamwork and compassionate care. Residents are viewed as integral members of the healthcare team, forming bonds akin to family throughout their training 1.