Residency Programs
The UVA Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging offers two residency programs: A four-year ACGME-accredited program in Diagnostic Radiology—one of the most diverse disciplines in the field of medicine—and a six-year Interventional Radiology (integrated) program.
Our residency programs are considered two of the best in the country and admission is highly competitive for the resident positions available each year. There are eight positions available in the diagnostic program. Two positions are available for applicants who want to pursue a career in our Interventional Radiology (Integrated) program.
We’re proud that our Diagnostic Radiology Residency program is ranked in the top 20 diagnostic radiology programs in the United States by the Doximity Residency Navigator.
In 2024, our program ranked #19 among all diagnostic radiology residencies in the U.S., per the Doximity Residency Navigator.
The University of Virginia Health System includes a 645-bed hospital in Charlottesville, three additional medical centers in northern Virginia with a total of 260 patient beds, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, a top-ranked medical school, thriving research programs, and dozens of clinics across the Commonwealth of Virginia. It’s a Tier 1 Research University as well as a Level I Trauma Center and has over 12,000 employees, nearly 1,000 full-time faculty members and 600 medical students, receiving over $400 million in research funding annually. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks UVA Medical Center as the #1 or #2 hospital in Virginia, and it has also been ranked No. 18 on the list of ‘Top 50 Teaching Hospitals in America.’
Imaging services are available at the main University Hospital, Hospital West, the UVA Children’s, the NCI-designated UVA Cancer Center, Diagnostic Imaging Centers at Fontaine Research Park and Northridge Transitional Care Facility, the Breast Care Center, Orange County Diagnostic and Mammography Center, UVA Imaging Zion Crossroads, and our mobile mammography coach.
With significant investment in technology, the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging employs some of the most modern and innovative radiographic and imaging technology available. We are heavily engaged in the clinical use and development of computerized tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine and vascular and interventional radiology. Over a typical year, our department interprets more than 650,000 diagnostic scans and performs more than 10,000 image-guided procedures.
UVA’s Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging has an outstanding research infrastructure and strongly supports active resident participation in research. While broad in scope, our Medical Imaging Research Division has particular strengths in cardiovascular imaging, neuroscience imaging, lung imaging, MRI pulse sequence development, and small animal imaging. One resident per year is accepted into the Radiology Research Track, and our diagnostic and IR residents participate in research during their time in residency as well; some join ongoing research projects, while others initiate their own projects. Many residents present their work at national meetings and a competitive internal funding program is in place for radiology trainees to financially support resident research.
From medical schools and institutions around the country, and even around the world, ten trainees per year gather in Charlottesville to begin their Diagnostic or IR-Integrated journey as residents in our department. Some attended Medical School at UVA and nearly 90% of our resident graduates stay at UVA for their Fellowships.
While a significant amount of time is spent in and around the hospital, a resident’s life is certainly not limited to the confines of the clinical setting. Camaraderie extends well beyond the reading room, as many of our residents take full advantage of the considerable number of extracurricular activities available in the area. With such a large group—40 residents total—it’s easy to find others who might want to get together for a run or a bike ride, perhaps grab some local fare and drink at a nearby brewery, and then catch a free outdoor concert at the historic downtown pedestrian mall. Click here to view photos from recent resident ‘Wellness Days’ – gatherings of residents outside of work to foster collegiality and connection.
All Are Welcome
We are committed to creating a learning environment where respect and tolerance prevail. We value differences in background, origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age and beliefs in our residents and faculty, and consider them of highest importance in the creation of a space where we can learn from each other. Aligned with the mission of our institution, the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging fosters an atmosphere of tolerance and free exchange of ideas as we strengthen our community together.
We are fortunate to live in an equally welcoming community, which stands for respect of ideas regardless of their origin; home to a multicultural community, Charlottesville is a national example of strength and unity at times of adversity, and a place where we all feel safe and welcomed.
'A Day in the Life' of Our Residents
Ever wonder what your day might look like during your residency program? You can read about a day in the life of diagnostic radiology resident Dr. Nicole Kapral or IR residents Dr. Sara McCann and Dr. Yasser El-Abd. And click here to read about Dr. Xavier Mohammed’s residency experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resident Leadership Opportunities
It’s part of our mission to train the next generation of leaders in radiology who can provide excellent care to our patients, while also pursuing regional or national leadership roles depending on their aspirations. As a result, our program offers the following leadership opportunities during training:
Chief Residents: The peer-elected Chief Residents (one Academic and one Administrative) serve as leaders and advocates for the department’s residents. Together they support their fellow trainees in many ways, including coordinating schedules, programming education initiatives, and serving as liaisons to the department.
IT (Information Technology) Officers: Granted to a resident who demonstrates interest in the role of technology in radiology, this position works with the Vice Chair of Clinical Operations to contribute towards the department’s IT-related projects, such as a central online education portal, PACS consulting matters, and report-tracking tools.
QA (Quality Assurance) Officers: This position works with the Vice Chair of Quality, and the Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance, to craft the residents’ quality and safety curriculum. There are also opportunities to conduct research and participate in national quality and safety meetings.