UMass Chan Medical School Program

The Abdominal Radiology Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School offers a thorough and comprehensive one-year curriculum focused on abdominal imaging. This state-of-the-art fellowship is designed to provide fellows with exceptional training in various imaging modalities, including Ultrasound, CT, MR, PET CT, and Fluoroscopy, ensuring they acquire crucial skills for interpreting and performing abdominal imaging studies. The program supports fellow training in a highly collaborative environment where they engage deeply with faculty and active clinical practice.

Training Sites

The fellowship takes place at UMass Memorial Medical Center, which includes multiple campuses—University Campus and Memorial Campus. UMass Memorial Medical Center is a multifaceted teaching hospital and the major tertiary care referral center for Central and Western Massachusetts, allowing fellows to gain substantial clinical exposure. The hospital performs an extensive volume of imaging studies annually, with over 20,000 Ultrasounds, 3,000 MRIs, 20,000 CT scans, and over 1,700 image-guided procedures.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is structured to enhance fellows' clinical competencies through core and elective rotations. Fellows participate in:

• 12 weeks of Body MRI
• 12 weeks of Body CT
• 4 weeks each of core Ultrasound/Fluoroscopy and PET-CT
• 4 weeks of elective rotations, which may include musculoskeletal imaging, breast imaging, cardiothoracic imaging, and emergency radiology.

This design promotes exposure to diverse case mixes, including oncology, organ transplant, gastroenterology, urology, and various interventional procedures. Each rotation is equipped with structured mentorship and opportunities for hands-on practice.

Research Opportunities

Research forms an integral part of the fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to partake in ongoing research efforts within the department and can initiate their own projects under faculty supervision. The program supports fellow presentations at regional and national conferences, fostering academic advancement and professional development.

Competitiveness and Eligibility

The Abdominal Radiology Fellowship is competitive and seeks candidates who have completed an ACGME-accredited radiology residency. Applicants must be certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Radiology or an equivalent body. Successful candidates must have passed all required USMLE steps, including Step 3, as incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, acceptance is contingent upon obtaining a Massachusetts medical license by the fellowship start date.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship opportunities for international medical graduates, supporting fellows who require assistance in obtaining the necessary work authorization.

Unique Features and Community Engagement

Fellows at UMass Chan Medical School are part of a larger educational mission that encompasses training in various specialties. They have the chance to participate in various interdepartmental conferences, enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration, and they also lead educational sessions for medical students and radiology residents. The department’s fostering of international connections offers additional broader learning experiences.

Overall, the Abdominal Radiology Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School provides a robust training environment for aspiring radiologists, emphasizing practical experience, research engagement, and collaborative learning.