UCSF's Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program is Top Ranked for the Ninth Straight Year

The UC San Francisco Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging has been ranked by Doximity as the best overall diagnostic radiology residency program for the ninth year in a row. As one of the largest and most diverse diagnostic radiology residency programs in the U.S., resident physicians and program leaders consistently note the sense of community and camaraderie, intentionally fostered, that begins during recruitment and continues after graduation.

Residency Program Director, Soonmee Cha, MD, acknowledges that the factors measured for a Doximity ranking are important: productivity and success of former residents in both academic and private sectors, alumni research output, along with satisfaction and reputation data from current trainees and recent alumni. Yet, looking behind the rankings to the everyday work of clinical education suggests that investing in the success and wellbeing of others is what matters most.

Dr. Cha observes that "The residents become team players, caring citizens of the program, never afraid to help anyone in need whether it's patients, faculty, or co-residents. And they learn that is the only way they're going to get to the top."

Program trainees come to UCSF with excellent academic records from top schools, but rather than focusing solely on their own individual achievements, a crucial factor in the program's culture is the productive tension between 'How am I going to become an excellent radiologist?' and 'How can we become the best team to deliver the highest quality care of our patients through diagnostic and procedural radiology?'.

"Coming from the east coast, I had always heard that the west coast was a bit more informal, but I was really surprised by how evident that ended up being on a day-to-day basis," said Emmanuel Carrodeguas, MD, PGY5. "It is really refreshing to work in an environment that feels like a family; where everyone is invested in your success and can engage in topics outside of work."

The program team and trainees each contribute to building something greater than the sum of its members. The program mission is to train leaders in teaching, clinical care, research, and public service, but the residents who make up the team support each other as much as they strive to lead.

Amanda Liu, MD, PGY5, recalls, "When I first approached the program, I was struck by how highly all the residents spoke of Soonmee and Jason as the program director and associate program director, as well as the camaraderie among everyone in the department."

Residency Program Coordinator Sandria Wong agrees, observing that "Our residents are very tight knit. Everyone is such a team player. If someone needs help, there's always someone who is more than willing to step in. They don't think twice about it."

Associate residency program director Jason Talbott, MD, PhD, residency site director Matthew Zapala, MD, PhD, and residency program coordinator Sandria Wong are praised for their availability and their diligence in always seeking opportunities to help. It is easy for teachers to be excited about teaching when the students are excited to learn. When the program directors and staff appreciate and understand the time and effort that residents devote to developing as professionals, the respect flows both ways. The residents will in turn go out of their own way to help the education team. This culture of volunteering and mutual gratitude is what produces the best versions of these best doctors.

Education Programs Director Melinda Parangan-Chu said, "We have dedicated staff who follow in the footsteps of our excellent leadership.  Our program directors are approachable and love to teach, love radiology, and truly want to share their expertise in mentoring our trainees to be the next generation of leaders who advance radiology and medical imaging."

Neda Ghassemi, MD, PGY2, concurs. "Our program director, faculty and staff are absolutely phenomenal; they truly go above and beyond supporting each resident, caring for our wellbeing, and ensuring an excellent educational experience. My co-residents and senior residents have all been so caring and supportive that the program truly feels like one big family who want the best for one another."

Empathy is the key to medicine. Because imaging is crucial in patient care, radiologists must balance rigorous attention to reading a high volume of images each day while also remembering that there is a person behind each X-ray, CT, or MRI. As Dr. Cha describes it, "We're the Air Traffic Control of medical and surgical care. We keep everyone safe by determining exactly where each plane is, then tell the pilots where to land and where to take off. We're human beings helping each other out and never losing our focus to help our patients and their providers." The ability to rely on the insight and expertise of team members in a fast-paced clinical environment is, perhaps, the defining element of the residency program's culture. All of us at UCSF should be proud of that achievement, just as we can be proud of Doximity's recognition for nine consecutive years.