Pediatric Radiology Fellowship

The pediatric radiology fellowship program at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area provides comprehensive training in our pediatric radiology section centered in our new Mission Bay Campus in San Francisco, California. Additional one month rotation time at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital –Oakland campus provides outstanding exposure to trauma and sports medicine imaging with an option for additional elective months if so desired. The pediatric radiology fellow performs and interprets all examinations under the supervision of pediatric radiology faculty and attends numerous conferences covering all aspects of pediatric radiology. The fellow will be exposed to state-of-the art equipment in our new facility and upon completion of the program will be ready to excel in either a private practice or an academic career.

Core Pediatric Radiology Rotation Schedule

Fellows participate in core training and elective rotations. During the core period of training fellows add to their foundation of basic concepts learned during residency. Fellows progress throughout the year in their level of sophistication and understanding of pediatric disease as seen through the lens of imaging. By the end of the core set rotations the fellow should achieve a level of independence in the performance and interpretation of routine and complex pediatric imaging examinations.

Core Rotations

Ultrasound
Musculoskeletal
Neuroradiology
Nuclear Medicine
Fluoroscopy
Body CT/MRI (including interventional procedures)
ICU (PICU/NICU/PCICU)-Radiography that includes ER

The core training period encompasses rotations through pediatric fluoroscopy, radiography, US, and body / MSK CT/MRI services. These core rotations occur in one-month blocks and are integrated with electives. A variety of learning experiences are available and fellows are encouraged to participate in as many as possible.

Pediatric Radiology Fellow Sub-Rotations

Sub-rotations are designed to add depth and breath to augment the core period of training. During these periods fellows expand their core skill-set through the advanced study of focused topics. Rotations are typically scheduled in four-week blocks. Fellows have the following options for sub-rotations:

Available Elective Rotations / Weeks

Children’s Hospital Oakland 4-8
Musculoskeletal 4
Pediatric Neuroradiology 8-12
Cardiac CT/MRI 4
Nuclear Medicine 4
Interventional Radiology 4
UC Davis Body/MSK 4-8

Numerous avenues for one-on-one and interdisciplinary learning occur throughout the fellowship year. Pediatric radiology faculty provide didactic small group lectures for the fellows and the fellow may also participate in the daily resident conferences. The section holds a monthly journal club with the residents and fellows to discuss interesting topics in the pediatric radiology literature. We are also committed to the fellows developing strong hand-on ultrasound skills and provided time and oversight for back-scanning. We also provide opportunities to work at the CT and MRI console.

Fellow Teaching and Conferences

A curriculum designed specifically for the pediatric radiology fellows is in place with weekly dedicated fellow didactic lectures. Lectures are given by the pediatric radiology faculty as well as invited speakers from Child Life Services, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric GI, and Pediatric Nephrology to provide clinical perspectives. “Hands on” biopsy simulation and “flipped classroom” sessions are in place as well. Specific guidance is also provided in CV and job application preparation.

These conferences and one-on-one interactions provide the fellow opportunities to develop/enhance presentation skills and gain new clinical insight on patients imaged in our section. Under the guidance of the attending pediatric radiologist, fellows help with the preparation and presentation at these conferences. The fellow presents cases at pediatric rheumatology, urology, oncology, surgery, NICU and PICU conferences. Weekly pediatric orthopedic and neurology imaging-based conferences provide the fellow with additional learning opportunities.

Fellows also help with the impromptu consultations when physicians call or visit the reading room. Additional conferences are also available through the electives that focus on various aspects of pediatric imaging. Attending physicians from the various subspecialties at UCSF also give lectures to the pediatric imaging fellows throughout the year.

Fellow Research

We enjoy mentoring fellows who are interested in developing research projects and provide dedicated time (protected academic time) for project design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of results at conferences and in preparation of peer reviewed manuscripts. We have several ongoing projects and are always coming up with new ideas for interesting areas to explore. We also draw on the Department’s strong resources with >20M in grants each year several of which are contained in the section of Pediatric Radiology.

After UCSF Training

Upon completion of the one-year training program our fellows are well versed in the nuances of pediatric imaging and have a solid foundation to build upon throughout their career. Our fellows have a strong track record of going on to work at desirable private practices and prestigious faculty positions at top children's hospitals and university medical centers.

Recent graduates have gone on to work at the following institutions:

Alta Bates Medical Center
Johns Hopkins University
Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco
Kaiser Permanente, Southern California
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Maimonides Medical Center, New York
Medical College of Wisconsin
Memorial University of Newfoundland, NF Canada
NorthBay Healthcare, SF Bay Area, Private Practice
Oakland Children’s Hospital
San Francisco General Hospital
Scottish Rite Children Hospital Atlanta
UC Davis Medical Center
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
UCSF Department of Radiology
University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville
University of Maryland Medical Center
University of Mississippi Medical Center
University of Tennessee Memphis Medical Center

Application requirements include sending us your CV, universal application form, personal statement, copies of USMLE scores, ECFMG certificate if applicable, and three letters of recommendation (dated, signed, and on letterhead).