Neuroradiology Fellowship

July 1, 2011

GOAL: The Neuroradiology Fellowship is designed to train radiologists in the multimodality, real-time diagnostic imaging environment. We take pride in training future leaders for our emerging field.

LENGTH OF PROGRAM: One year.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Two positions are available through the NRMP for July, 2011.

QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate must have completed a diagnostic radiology residency. Candidates with American Board of Radiology or equivalent board certification will be given preference.

Applications and Appointment to Interview:

• Electronic application form
• Curriculum Vitae
• A personal statement on why you are interested in neuroradiology
• Passport size photo
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from residency Program Director
• Application timetable to be determined by NRMP see: http://www.nrmp.org/fellow/schedule.html
• Interviews with Fellowship Selection Committee will be scheduled after receipt of a completed application. Candidates who apply early will have the advantage of being invited to interview before other candidates.

CLINICAL EMPHASIS:

The fellowship provides experiences in all aspects of neuroradiology, including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, neuroangiography including exposure to interventional neuroradiology cases.

FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND FACULTY:

Facilities include the Radiology departments at Memorial Hermann Hospital, a 600-bed tertiary care center with level I trauma; Debakey VA Medical Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital. These institutions are the primary teaching hospitals for the UT Houston Medical School. There are dedicated faculty members in the Neuroradiology sections, all of whom are fellowship trained and have extensive skills and experience in their subspecialty areas. The facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including (at Hermann alone):

Two 1.5 MRI units, Lightspeed CT, 3T MRI Magnet, 2 Biplane Neuro Angio Suites with 3D Relational Angiography.

FACULTY:

Eliana Bonfante-Mejia, M.D., Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Neuroradiology
Leo Hochhauser, M.D., Associate Professor, Diagnostic Neuroradiology (Pediatric/Adult)
Clark Sitton, M.D., Assistant Professor, Fellowship Director, Diagnostic Neuroradiology
Emelio Supsupin M.D., Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Neuroradiology

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

Practice opportunities for neuroradiology and interventional neuroradiology radiologists are excellent. Unfilled faculty positions exist across the nation. In addition, an increasing number are of partnership track neuroradiology radiology positions are being developed in private practice.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

Clark W. Sitton, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Program Director Neuroradiology Fellowship
6431 Fannin, Suite 2.130B
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-704-1704
Fax: 713-704-1715

APPLICATION & INFORMATION CONTACT:

Viola Charo
Neuroradiology Fellowship Coordinator
6431 Fannin, Suite 2.130B
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-704-1478
Fax: 713-704-1715

SUMMARY OF FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston currently offers 2 one year accredited fellowship positions in Neuroradiology.

Training:

The first year of fellowship consists of:

3 months of general neuroradiology at Memorial Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center (TMC), including Brain and spine MRI, CT, CT angiography, Myelography Perfusion
Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
3 months of neuroangiography including exposure to Interventional Neuroradiology (INR), ,
1 month at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (emphasis on head and neck).
2 months at the VA medical center (emphasis on spine imaging)
1 month at Texas Childrens Hospital

Academics:

Fellows participate in weekly interdisciplinary conferences for neuro-oncology, pediatric neurology, stroke neurology and general neurology. The are encouraged to attend resident conferences in neuroradiology and are encouraged to prepare two resident level conferences for presentation.

Contribution to peer reviewed journals, presentation of original research and coordination with other specialties in clinical trials is facilitated and encouraged by Staff and legitimate travel in support of those activities is provided.

The section will encourage participation in CME activities provided by vendors, the ACR, etc. by providing academic time as needed.

Call:

The fellow will take home call for one week out of every four and will participate in and assist with coveage of the angiography service. No call is unsupervised. The schedule is flexible.

Resident Interaction:

Residents in radiology do not take primary responsibility for the neuroradiology or MRI sections, as do neuroradiology fellows. Residents on call always work under direct supervision of a staff radiologist or a neuroradiology fellow. Although fellows are expected to assist in teaching and supervising residents and students, care is taken to insure direct exposure to staff by residents and students so as not to dilute their training.

Policies:

Fellowship committee meetings are held quartley to discuss goals and objectives for the rotations, operational problems, call schedules, and work assignments. Written evaluation of the fellow’s performance is done at 1 month intervals. Fellows are asked to provide written criticism of the training program at 1 month intervals. These Documents are reviewed every 4 months with the fellowship director and are discussed with the fellow.

A full description of the policies can be found in the program manual.