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Nuclear Medicine Fellowship

PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND SCOPE OF TRAINING

Our one-year Nuclear Radiology Fellowship at the University of Utah, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences provides additional training to diagnostic radiologists in nuclear imaging and theranostics. The department has 2 state of the art clinical PET/CT scanners and one research scanner. During the fellowship trainees will gain vast experience in general nuclear imaging and in the various applications of PET/CT and SPECT/CT imaging, including the areas of oncology (with the newest tracers), infection imaging, and in evaluation of neurodegenerative disorders. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work with the latest theranostic agents and will have the opportunity to participate in standard therapies for benign and neoplastic thyroid diseases. 

In addition to broad clinical exposure, fellows participate in the education of our residents during educational conferences, journal clubs and case correlation sessions. They also work closely with residents that are on the nuclear medicine service. The goal of the fellowship is to train outstanding clinicians, educators and researchers. 

We encourage all eligible program graduates to take the certifying examination offered by the applicable American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) certifying board.
 

Academic Pursuits

Academic time is provided to facilitate preparation for multi-disciplinary conferences, resident conferences, and inter-departmental teaching conferences. 
Fellows  must engage in a scholarly project that demonstrates their competence in the fundamentals of research by the completion of and/or participation in one of the following projects, but not limited to:

  • Laboratory research
  • Clinical research
  • Analysis of disease processes, imaging techniques, or practice management issues

The results of such projects should be disseminated in the academic community by either submission for publication within a printed journal or online educational resource, or presentation at departmental, institutional, local, regional, national, or international meetings.

Elective Time

Fellows are encouraged to pursue electives with other sections within the department. Time available is dependent on the availability of the accepting service.

Apply

To apply for a fellowship position please email your completed application and supporting documents to our coordinator.  
We have pledged to follow the fellowship embargo program proposed by the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments. We are committed to a fair fellowship application process that allows residents the time to make an informed decision about their sub-specialty training.  We will be conducting interviews virtually this year.  Applications are accepted after August 1, 2023 and interviews will begin after November 7, 2023.  
Summary of important dates:

  • Applications begin being accepted August 1, 2023
  • November 7, 2023: Interviews begin
  • March 31, 2024: Interviews end
  • November 7, 2023: No fellowship program can accept fellows before this date

Note that applicants have until November 14th to accept or decline any offer made before November 14th. For any offer made after November 14th the candidate has a one-day grace period to accept or decline the offer.

Application Overview

We recruit one fellow per year and strive to compose a diverse class of trainees that have unique talents and perspectives to enrich our program.  We encourage qualified applicants from all regions of the country, those with unique backgrounds, women and under-represented minorities to apply. University of Utah is a wonderful place to train!
To process your application, we require the materials listed below:

  • Completed application 
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement
  • USMLE Transcript*
  • Medical School Transcript
  • Medical school diploma
  • Medical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean’s Letter)
  • Three letters of recommendation (one must be from current program director)
  • Copy of the Dean’s letter from your medical school or ECFMG certificate
  • Evidence of research activity (may be listed on your CV)
  • A photo of yourself (optional)

* COMLEX scores may be substituted for USMLE ® scores.

Eligibility

All required clinical education for entry into ACGME-accredited fellowship programs must be completed in an ACGME-accredited residency program, an AOA-approved residency program, a program with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation, or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency program located in Canada.
Prerequisite experience for entry into the fellowship program should include the satisfactory completion of a diagnostic radiology or interventional radiology residency program that satisfies the requirements in the above paragraph. 

Fellowship programs must receive verification of each entering fellow’s level of competence in the required field, upon matriculation, using ACGME, ACGME-I, or CanMEDS Milestones evaluations from the core residency program. 

International Medical Graduates

We are not accepting applicants for the four-year ABR Alternate Pathway to Certification at this time.

International Applicants

International Medical Graduates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Must be ECFMG certified before training begins on July 1.
  2. Must have a clinical J-1 visa before training begins on July 1 for ACGME Accredited training.
  3. Must meet the GME and Utah licensing requirements.

We are not accepting applicants for the four-year ABR Alternate Pathway to Certification at this time.

Fellow Eligibility Exception

The Review Committee for Radiology will allow the following exception to the fellowship eligibility requirements:

An ACGME-accredited fellowship program may accept an exceptionally qualified* international graduate applicant who does not satisfy the eligibility requirements listed below

An exceptional candidate is one who has demonstrated a combination of clinical excellence amongst peers, leadership qualities, a track record of strong research and scholarly activity, and volunteer or administrative work.

Prerequisite experience for entry into the fellowship program should include the satisfactory completion of a diagnostic radiology or interventional radiology residency program that satisfies the following requirements: All required clinical education for entry into ACGME-accredited fellowship programs must be completed in an ACGME-accredited residency program, an AOA-approved residency program, a program with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation, or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency program located in Canada.

Must meet all of the following additional qualifications and conditions

  • evaluation by the program director and fellowship selection committee of the applicant’s suitability to enter the program, based on prior training and review of the summative evaluations of training in the core specialty; 

and

  • review and approval of the applicant’s exceptional qualifications by the GMEC

and

  • verification of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification.

In addition to the above requirements candidates must meet the GME and Utah licensing requirements (could insert link to GME Medical Licensure Policy)
*ACGME defines exceptionally qualified applicants as follows:

  • Completed a residency program in the core specialty outside the continental United States that was not accredited by the ACGME, AOA, ACGME-I, RCPSC or CFPC, 

and

  • demonstrated clinical excellence, in comparison to peers, throughout training.

Additional evidence of exceptional qualifications is required, which may include one of the following:

  • participation in additional clinical or research training in the specialty or subspecialty;
  • demonstrated scholarship in the specialty or subspecialty; 
  • demonstrated leadership during or after residency.

We encourage outstanding applicants to apply as we value diversity in our program.
The following traits are essential to be considered for an interview:

  1. Strong performance in medical school
  2. Strong scores on Step 1, 2, and 3 of the USMLE
  3. Outstanding letters of recommendation
  4. Active involvement in academic research
  5. Demonstrated leadership during or after residency

Training may not lead to certification by ABMS member boards or AOA certifying boards. In recognition of the diversity of medical education and training around the world, this early evaluation of clinical competence required for applicants ensures trainees can provide quality and safe patient care. Any gaps in competence will be addressed as per program policies in partnership with the Graduate Medical Education Office at the University of Utah.
 

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The University of Utah School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or veteran’s status. In accordance with the requirements of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, (Section 504), the University of Utah provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, so that they may fully participate in its academic programs, employment opportunities, medical services, programs, and events.