The goal of the UAB Diagnostic Imaging Physics Residency program is to provide the opportunity for individuals with this background to gain training to become independent, proficient Diagnostic Imaging Physicists. We are a CAMPEP-accredited two-year medical physics residency in imaging, and we typically accept one new resident each July. The requirements for entrance into our residency program are an MS or PhD from a CAMPEP-accredited medical physics program, or, a certificate from a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program in addition to a PhD in Physics or Engineering.
The Physics and Engineering Division of the Department of Radiology, University of Alabama Medical Center consists of nine physicists, six engineers, and 2 image quality specialists. Our objectives are to provide educational training and clinical experience in diagnostic radiological imaging, (including general radiology and fluoroscopy, CT, angiography, ultrasound, and mammography), MRI, nuclear medicine (including PET), informatics, radiation shielding design, and patient and fetal dose estimates.
Residents participate in clinical support including troubleshooting, teaching of radiology residents, technologists, and fellows, and clinical imaging research as training for a career in medical physics.
Residency Program Overview
Certificates are given upon satisfactory completion at the Radiology Annual Awards Program held in June of each year or upon completion of a full two-year time. Training essentials consist of didactic lectures, clinical duties, teaching, attendance at conferences, and completion of special requirements relating to ethics, HIPPA, and conflicts of interest.
Successful completion consists of:
1. Completion of two full years (24 months),
2. Satisfactory completion of all of the core competencies for each rotation,
3. Passing grades in all of the didactic courses,
4. Completion of all of the extra assignments covering material outside of the didactic courses,
5. Attendance at the specified number of conferences, radiation safety committee meetings, quality audit meetings, and
6. Participation in education activities, such as giving lectures to radiologists, physicists, and technologists. The residents assist with the labs and lectures that are part of the introductory course given to the Radiology Residents.
Our History and Future
A two-year postdoctoral fellowship program in medical physics was initiated in 1978. Throughout its existence, the program has had as its main goal the training of individuals as medical physicists with a prime emphasis on clinical training. Since that beginning, a total of 27 individuals have successfully completed the program. Of those, 24 have become ABR certified, and the most recent is expected to pass Part III soon. This program always had as its goal preparing fellows for clinical service as well as research in imaging physics.
In 2016, we attained CAMPEP-accreditation and converted the fellowship into a residency program. Statistics on the numbers of individuals applying, completing, and general classifications of positions attained are provided under the Statistics tab.
The UAB Department of Radiology performs approximately 550,000 exams yearly, utilizing a full range of diagnostic and nuclear medicine imaging equipment including PET/CT scanners and a PET/MRI scanner. We have over 70 radiology faculty, 40 radiology residents, and up to two medical physics residents at a given time. There are nine faculty members in the Division and all are diplomates of the American Board of Radiology or the American Board of Medical Physics or are new faculty in the process of passing boards.
Applicants are encouraged to apply using the MP-RAP application at aapm.org/MPRAP or may submit a letter outlining their career objectives, a curriculum vitae, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and three letters of reference provided separately. No application will be considered without all required documentation.
UAB is an equal opportunity employer.
Contact Information
Sharon L. White, Ph.D., Program Director | Brendon J. Villegas, Ph.D., Assistant Program Director
Department of Radiology - University of Alabama Hospital
619 19th Street South - GSB 301-G -Birmingham, Alabama 35249-6830
shlwhite@uabmc.edu | bjvillegas@uabmc.edu