Along with the appointment to University Hospitals Case Medical Center, fellows are also appointed as clinical instructors by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Fellows work closely with radiologists in each of the following subspecialty areas:
- Cross Sectional Imaging (one year, two fellows) - Position encompasses extensive experience in Body MRI, Ultrasound, including OB and Computed Tomography. Fellowship Director Nami Azar, MD or email.
- Musculoskeletal Radiology (one year, two fellows) - Study in orthopedic and rheumatologic imaging and interpretations, Fellowship Director Mark Robbin, MD or email.
- Pediatric Radiology (one year) - Study in pediatric and neonatal imaging for our pediatric facility (University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital).
- Neuroradiology (one or two year) Program is geared toward training a clinical neuroradiologist with a well rounded knowledge of CNS imaging Fellowship Director Kristine Blackham, MD or email.
- Vascular/Interventional (one year) - Study all facets of vascular and interventional imaging procedures Fellowship Director Jon Davidson, MD or email.
- Nuclear Medicine (one year) – Fellowship Director James K. O’Donnell, MD or email.
- Breast Imaging (one year) – The Mammography division at UH Case Medical Center is offering two positions for a one year comprehensive breast imaging fellowship according to the guidelines and curriculum recommended by the Society of Breast Imaging. Fellowship Director Ramya Pham, MD or email.
Breast Imaging/Mammography
The Breast Imaging division at UH Case Medical Center is offering two positions for a one year comprehensive breast imaging fellowship according to the guidelines and curriculum recommended by the Society of Breast Imaging.
The division has been completely renovated over the past two years. We are 100% digital with both GE and Hologic units. There is ongoing construction for the UH Seidman Cancer Hospital in which a brand new state of the art breast center will be built. Both of our breast centers recently earned the status of Breast Imaging Center of Excellence based on our recent ACR accreditation. We intend to apply for ACR accreditation for MRI when that becomes available in the next year. We have excellent support staff including a clinical nurse navigator.
Most of our exams are performed between two main breast centers. We perform the whole gamut of breast imaging exams from screenings, diagnostics, needle localizations, ductography, ultrasound/ stereotactic/MRI vacuum assisted biopsies, and MRI’s. We perform approximately 54,619 breast imaging related exams within the UH Case Medical Center including 45,604 mammograms (50% screening and 50% diagnostic), 4807 breast ultrasounds, 1689 interventional procedures, and 2519 breast MRI’s (including MRI guided biopsies). There is one weekly multidisciplinary tumor board conference attended by the fellows and a faculty member. There is a weekly resident conference on breast imaging.
All of the division members are active in the Society of Breast Imaging. There are 6 faculty members and we have positions for 2 fellows. We are part of a residency program and have residents coming through as well. However, the fellows have first priority on most procedures. There is funding available for educational meetings/conferences.
As a breast imaging fellow, dedicated research time is negotiable and there is access to the Case Center for Imaging Research (CCIR), which is a joint venture between Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center. The CCIR extends the strategies that have led to successes in bringing novel imaging technologies to the CWRU campus, expands interdepartmental collaboration and interdisciplinary research and facilitates CWRU’s becoming an emerging leader in imaging research. Through CCIR there is access to state-of-the-art facilities and access to the latest in imaging technology. A major part of this includes 4 new multi-nuclear, high-field MRI systems, 4 nuclear imaging systems, and 2 optical imaging systems. The CCIR is centrally located in the basement of Lerner Tower (9000 sq. foot facility), and also includes wet labs, conference areas, and additional faculty office space. CCIR serves as a core for the Cystic Fibrosis Center (Animal Imaging Core), the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Imaging Research Core), and the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (Imaging Core).
The ultimate goal is for the mammography fellows to assume the role of primary imager with the faculty person as a supervisor. The breast imaging division has a strong interest in resident and fellow education and clinical research is encouraged.
Current technology overview:
- GE and Hologic digital mammogram machines at two breast centers (fully digital)
- Two Phillips ultrasound machines purchased 6/09
- Two Supersonic ultrasound machines purchased in 2010
- Two Stereotactic machines purchased 2007
- MRI’s done on 1.5 and 3.0T Siemens magnets
- Two Suros Atec biopsy devices for use in MRI, Stereo and Ultrasound
- Two Vacora vacuum assisted devices for image guided ultrasound biopsies
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Ramya Pham in the breast imaging division: ramya.pham@uhhospitals.org or at mramya@yahoo.com