Department of Radiology | Vascular/Interventional


vascular/interventional fellowship

Stephen H. Smyth, M.D.

Director, Vascular/Interventional Fellowship Program
Department of Radiology
University of Arizona Health Sciences Center
P.O. Box 245067 Tucson, AZ. 245067
Tel: (520) 626-6794 Fax: (520) 626-2955
ltaylor@radiology.arizona.edu

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in our Fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. This ACGME fellowship is one year in length and Vascular/Interventional CAQ eligible.

The Vascular/Interventional section is staffed by CAQ certified interventionalists. The Section provides services to the University Medical Center, The Veterans Hospital, and Kino Community Hospital.

UMC is a 350-bed tertiary care center with a Level-1 trauma center, a world renown Cancer Center, and transplant services that include heart, liver and kidney. The Interventional section performs over 2600 exams per year. Services include arterial/venous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (angioplasty/stents/thrombolysis), TIPS, biliary, GI and GU interventions, venous access, and dialysis graft maintenance. Nonvascular interventions including CT/Fluoro and US guided biopsies and drainages are also performed thru Interventional Radiology. The Interventional section has admitting privileges for in-patient management (i.e., intra-arterial chemoembolizations and uterine artery embolizations). In collaboration with Vascular Surgery, it has recently begun an aortic stent-graft program. UMC Radiology has just undergone extensive expansion and improvement with new MRI units, Helical CT scanners, and state-of-the-art, digital angiography suites on line.

The VA Hospital is a 360-bed tertiary referral hospital, providing veterans care in Arizona and the southwest. The Interventional section provides both vascular and nonvascular services. In addition, the noninvasive vascular laboratory is headed and operated by Interventional Radiology. The VA has an angiography suite, US units, Helical CT and 1.5T MR scanner.

I. Objectives

The main objective is to provide the vascular and interventional fellow with an organized, comprehensive and closely supervised full-time educational experience. This includes performance and interpretation of imaging and Interventional procedures related to the vascular (venous and arterial) system of the body, as well as invasive diagnostic and Interventional procedures related to the other systems of the body exclusive of the neurologic system (brain and cord). The opportunity and skills to perform research in the field of vascular and Interventional radiology is also provided.

This program is affiliated with an ACGME accredited training program in diagnostic radiology. The fellowship program includes intimate interaction with the other University ACGME approved residency programs (i.e., surgery, medicine, GI, and pediatrics.

II. Duration of Training

The vascular and Interventional radiology program offers one year of graduate medical education emphasizing the development of skills in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic and Interventional procedures; the development of relevant knowledge in anatomy, pathology, physiology, and patient management through direct patient care, attending conferences and the progressive development of teaching skills. The fellow is required to participate in core curriculum conferences and encouraged to become involved in as least one academic project culminating in a paper and/or presentation.

III. Educational Curriculum

Under close supervision, the fellow has opportunity to consult, perform, conduct and interpret invasive and noninvasive procedures in vascular and Interventional radiology. Procedures include all aspects of Vascular and Interventional radiology. Clinical and educational experience is provided in most of the fields of surgery and medicine.

IV. Evaluation of Fellow

The fellow is evaluated quarterly by the Vascular and Interventional radiology staff. Documented evaluation of performance and progress is made available to the trainee after each of these evaluations. Any problems that may occur with interpersonal relations, conduct of examinations, and procedural complications are immediately addressed. The radiology residents and fellows fill out monthly section evaluation forms, anonymously which are used on a quarterly basis to look at the service and seek ways to improve and identify problems in a timely fashion. These evaluations are shared with the Interventional radiology staff and department chairman.

V. Research Opportunities

Although free time has been limited due to large clinical volume, the fellow is encouraged to participate in research projects and to prepare at least one publication or presentation for a national meeting during the year. Opportunities exist for both clinical and basic research.

Application Process

Completed Application
One copy of your curriculum vitae
Three letters of recommendation
(from Residency Program Director, a Vascular/Interventional attending, and physician of your choice).

PDF Vascular /Interventional Application

PDF Body Imaging/Vascular & Interventional Application

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Deadline: We have two open Fellowships for 2009-2010 that we will continue to take applications for until the positions are filled. Please direct inquires to (520) 626-6794.