The four year training program in Diagnostic Imaging is a competency based curriculum with a goal of providing extensive training in all the subsections of radiology including interventional radiology. The curriculum is divided into the nine subsections including Abdomen, Chest, Mammography, Musculoskeletal Radiology, Neuroradiology, Nuclear medicine, Ultrasound, Pediatric Radiology and Vascular and Interventional Radiology. There is a two year series of lectures and conferences, outlining the important clinical issues of each of these areas, presented to the residents by our faculty.  This extensive curriculum exposes the resident to a complete and varied program of ongoing education.

PGY II

Your first year as a radiology resident is spent at the John Dempsey Hospital at the University of Connecticut Health Center.  During the first year you will be taught the basics of general radiology including plain film reading as well as performing most fluoroscopic procedures.  One on one teaching with faculty is the norm throughout the year and several teaching blocks are spent in ultrasound, and CT.  An intensive course of radiologic physics is presented throughout the year providing the resident the understanding of the basic science that underpins the specialty of radiology.  This prepares the resident for taking their physics board examinations at the start of the PGY III year.

PGY III

The PGY III year continues the development of the resident in reading basic radiologic films as well as spending time in rotations in CT and ultrasound.  In addition, rotations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine are added and some time is spent at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center learning ultrasound of high risk pregnancy.  The resident presents the cases at various interdisciplinary conferences and takes on added responsibility by taking night call and they are integrated into the active teaching program. 

PGY IV

The third year includes time spent at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center principally in the areas of nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging, fluoroscopic GI and GU procedures, as well as ultrasound and CT.  One on one teaching continues and the resident also spends three months at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  There is elective time during the year and some residents attend the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) during this year.  Most residents take their written boards during this years study.

PGY V

The final year as a radiology resident consists of time spent as a chief resident and is often split between the University hospital and St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.  There is protected time for research during this year and there is a considerable increase in responsibility and management of cases in MR, CT and in the interventional suite.  Time is made available this year to interview for fellowships or potential job opportunities and there are numerous conferences designed to prepare one to take the oral board examinations at the end of the PGY V year.