University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago Program

Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency Overview

The Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago is a comprehensive training program designed to develop skilled interventional radiologists. The program has a dedicated team of six full-time interventional radiology faculty members committed to excellence in patient care, education, and clinical research within the field.

This residency program is part of the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and accepts applications exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Candidates must submit a completed application along with essential documents such as a personal statement, curriculum vitae, medical school transcript, three letters of recommendation, a Dean’s letter, and a photograph.

Curriculum and Rotations

The residency follows a robust curriculum that includes multidisciplinary conferences, educational teaching conferences, and a core curriculum along with clinical rotations. Notably, residents engage in an extensive mix of clinical IR procedures, outpatient IR clinics, and inpatient consulting services.

Core Clinical IR Rotations take place primarily at UI Health, supplemented by specialty rotations in vascular surgery and pediatric IR at Lurie Children’s Hospital. These rotations allow residents to engage in a diverse and high-volume range of procedures including interventional oncology, portal hypertension treatments, and dialysis access procedures.

Educational Conferences

Educational opportunities include scheduled teaching conferences every Tuesday morning focusing on various clinical IR topics, as well as quarterly journal clubs held in a relaxed atmosphere to encourage discussion of recent literature and current practices in the field.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes research and scholarship, equipping residents to engage in significant academic contributions. All residents are supported and encouraged to participate actively in research endeavors and educational initiatives, striving for continuous professional development.

Resident Benefits

Residents in the program enjoy several benefits, including:

• Access to highly regarded online medical references such as STATdx and E-Anatomy.
• A yearly book stipend and conference allowances, including support for attending relevant national meetings like the AIRP during the third year.
• Time off for board exam reviews and conferences, with less demanding rotations scheduled prior to the Board examinations during the final training phase.
• Standard vacation benefits, amounting to twenty workdays (four weeks) along with university holidays and sick leave.

Visa Sponsorship

The program provides visa support for eligible international medical graduates (IMGs) and can sponsor J-1 visas for residency training. Such sponsorship allows qualified candidates to pursue this residency as part of their graduate medical education in the United States.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency program is considered highly competitive, favoring candidates with strong academic backgrounds and extracurricular involvement. USMLE Step 1 scores are required for application, and while Step 2 scores are not mandatory, they are reviewed if submitted. There are also expectations regarding maximum failed STEP exams and graduation timelines.

Life in Chicago

Living in Chicago offers residents a vibrant urban environment with rich cultural experiences, diverse communities, and a plethora of recreational opportunities. The university facilitates excellent living conditions, ensuring a supportive community throughout the residency training.