The University of Connecticut School of Medicine Residency and Fellowship Programs

Nuclear Medicine Residency Program

AVAILABLE POSITION: One and Two Year Training Programs. Selections are made on a rolling basis.

PREREQUISITES:
Graduated from an ACGME accredited medical school:
Have at least one year of clinical residency in the U.S.

International Medical Graduates: Need a valid ECFMG certificate as well as Permanent Resident status (Green Card) or a J-1 or equivalent visa and have at least one year of clinical residency in the U.S.

THE AMERICAN BOARD OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE HAS STATED THAT THOSE TRAINED IN RADIOLOGY CAN, WITH ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR OF RESIDENCY IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE, BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE BOARD EXAMINATION IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE.

FOR THOSE WITH OTHER PRIOR TRAINING, TWO YEARS OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE RESIDENCY MAY BE REQUIRED.

CLINICAL ASPECTS: There are 2 interacting residency tracks.
Track A: University Hospital (John Dempsey), Hartford Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital.
Track B: University of Connecticut Health Center and Danbury Hospital.

These rotations are designed to provide Residents with a well balanced and full spectrum of experience in all aspects of Nuclear Medicine which includes diagnostic, therapeutic, investigational use of radionuclides, computers in data processing and related purposes. Under adequate faculty supervision, the resident participates directly in the performance of imaging studies, non-imaging measurements and assays, and therapeutic procedures. We use state-of-the-art Gamma Cameras and cutting-edge technology like mobile PET cameras and visits to a Cyclotron/PET center.

CARDIAC STRESS STUDIES:
Myocardial perfusion imaging procedures are performed with radioactive perfusion agents in association with treadmill and pharmacologic stress (planar and tomographic). Specific applications include patient monitoring. Special emphasis on electrocardiographic interpretation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and interventional stress tests with radiopharmaceuticals or exercise, pharmacology of cardioactive drugs, and hands-on experience in performance of stress procedures (exercise or pharmacologic agents).

DIDACTIC LECTURES, BASIC SCIENCE COURSE & JOURNAL CLUB:
Both Tracks participate in the same lecture series, laboratories and seminars with invited speakers. There are introductory lectures at the Health Center, and a course on "Basic Science" that is taught by the Radiophysicist and Radiopharmacist. This includes in depth study of the devices utilized in Nuclear Medicine, as well as preparation, quality control and administration of radiopharmaceuticals, radiation biology and protection, mathematics, statistics and computer sciences. The affiliated hospitals also have lectures and several conferences to add to your learning experience. We regather at the Health Center throughout the year, for clinical discussions, journal club, and research discussions. Also arranged are rotations through Cyclotron/PET and MRI-correlative imaging.

RESIDENT LECTURE:
Our residents prepare and present formal resident lectures. These lectures are in addition and complementary to the didactic conferences and presentations which are made with the active support of the faculty.

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS:
Each resident participates in at least one research study per year. Our weekly research meetings monitor the progress of ongoing research projects. There are multiple scientific publications each year.


We are not in the "National Resident Matching Program".