At the University of Virginia’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, the new academic year comes with a new set of chief residents: Marissa Boettcher, MD, and Eric Fromke, MD, for UVA’s Diagnostic Radiology; and Sheridan Morelli, MD, and Olivia Richardson, MD, for UVA’s Interventional Radiology residencies!
We caught up with the chief residents to hear their thoughts and reflections on their time at UVA, as well as advice for new and prospective residents.
Diagnostic Radiology Chief Residents Marissa Boettcher, MD (left), and Eric Fromke, MD
Chief Residents for DR Residency: Marissa Boettcher, MD (Academic), and Eric Fromke, MD (Administrative)
What made you choose UVA for residency?
Dr. Boettcher: UVA has a well-deserved reputation as a strong program that produces great radiologists, but I ultimately ranked them so highly because of how at home at felt on interview day. The faculty and residents were all very easy to talk to and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire interview process. I actually ran over on time on a few of my interviews because of how great the conversations were going – an issue I didn’t come across with any other program!
Dr. Fromke: I chose UVA because it offered the combination I wanted in radiology residency: high-volume, high-level subspecialty clinical training in an academic center; faculty who were invested in teaching and mentorship; and a supportive learning culture. I also valued the opportunity to develop both as a clinically capable radiologist and as a leader in the field and community, with strong exposure to advanced imaging, research, and subspecialty practice. The quality of the culture at UVA cannot be overstated – it’s the best in medicine! I could not be more thankful to train at this wonderful place with these wonderful people.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting residency?
Dr. Boettcher: Everything will work out! There’s a huge learning curve with radiology because we don’t get a ton of exposure to it during medical school and this was a big point of anxiety for me before starting residency. Well established programs like UVA know what they’re doing though so just trust in the process and keep showing up!
Dr. Fromke: The learning curve is steep, but you are not expected to become an independent radiologist overnight. Don’t get overwhelmed and remember that we all started from the same spot (zero knowledge!!!). Focus first on showing up prepared, taking ownership of cases, being teachable, and learning from the volume. The knowledge accumulates faster than you realize: one readout, one call shift, and one missed finding at a time.
What advice would you give to someone considering UVA?
Dr. Boettcher: Be yourself during your interview day. There are a lot of great programs out there, but finding a community that fits you is key. The people at UVA have made my training experience very special and I encourage applicants to really pay attention to the “vibes” they get during interviews. Afterall you’ll be spending a lot of time in the reading room with these people!
Dr. Fromke: At UVA, the more you stick your neck out (in case conferences, during readouts, grabbing tough studies, etc.), the more you’ll learn!
Interventional Radiology Chief Residents Olivia Richardson, MD (left), and Sheridan Morelli, MD
Chief Residents for IR Residency: Sheridan Morelli, MD, and Olivia Richardson, MD
What made you choose UVA for residency?
Drs. Morelli & Richardson: We chose UVA for residency not only because of the comprehensive and well-rounded training that we get in both the diagnostic and interventional divisions but also because of the comradery and partnership witnessed among everyone in the program. UVA offers a diverse, high-volume practice with excellent procedural opportunities, but what truly makes this program special is watching our residents, faculty, nurses, and techs genuinely working as a team and being committed to helping one another learn and succeed.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting residency?
Drs. Morelli & Richardson: One of our biggest pieces of advice of what to look for in a residency program is to pay attention to the people. IR residency is 6 years long and the relationships you build during are just as valuable as the procedural experience. Some of our closest friendships and most meaningful mentorships are from during our time at UVA.
What advice would you give to someone considering UVA?
Drs. Morelli & Richardson: As you’re making your decision, we encourage you to think about where you’ll feel supported, challenged, and truly part of a team. For us, UVA was that place, and we’re so grateful for the experience and the people who made it feel like home.
Click the links for more information about UVA’s Diagnostic Radiology Residency, IR-Integrated Residency, and IR-Independent Residency. To read more about all of our current residents, click here.
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