Interventional Radiology
Rochester General Hospital
Director’s Letter
Welcome to the Rochester General Hospital Interventional Radiology Residency Program. I want to thank you for your interest in our residency program, which is a dual certificate program in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR) at Rochester General Hospital. In my opinion, interventional radiology is the most fascinating and groundbreaking field in medicine. It combines ingenious minimally invasive procedures, technical savvy, and creativity with the wonders of modern diagnostic imaging, all while delivering lasting relationships through true clinically oriented medicine.
At RGH Interventional Radiology, we view ourselves as an intimate division and program, with experienced IRs mentoring not only the technical aspects of minimally invasive image-guided procedures, but the nuances and importance of clinical care in the pre-procedural workup to post-procedural follow-up. This is combined with an ideal learning environment in becoming an expert at diagnostic imaging interpretation. The two residencies are complementary and perfectly intertwined. I cannot express enough how being an interventional radiologist is absolutely the most gratifying job in the world. We absolutely love what we do. That’s why we are excited to teach the next generation of IRs.
Raj Pyne, MD, FSIR
Program Director
About the Program
All other procedural or surgical fields realized long ago that you need to provide periprocedural services to adequately treat patients, treating the disease itself completely rather than technically performing a procedure someone else asked you to do. Thus, we have rethought our IR division recently by building a clinical model where we actively recruit and get referred patients with complex issues, work them up de novo in IR clinic or see them as true inpatient consults in the hospital, create a plan, perform their procedure (or develop an alternative plan), then follow them up as inpatients by rounding daily on them, and finally follow them longitudinally in IR clinic.
This paradigm shift has been so eye-opening that many realized the training between diagnostic radiology and IR had to change, for the better. The classic pathway of 4 years of Diagnostic Radiology followed by 12 months of IR was not sufficient for training nor was it optimal to create clinically oriented, patient-centered interventional radiologists. The plan was to create a new track for trainees interested in pursuing interventional radiology. The new track would be a dual certificate in IR and DR to complement both but to have the IR training be more clinical and global. On September 11th, 2012, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which allows for all board certification, approved a new dual primary certificate in interventional radiology (IR) and diagnostic radiology (DR). Interventional Radiology (IR) thus officially became the 37th medical specialty in medicine in 2012.
The entire IR residency program here at Rochester General Hospital was built from the ground up (with input from numerous current and former residents) with the ideal training environment the foremost agenda. The first three years will involve mastering diagnostic radiology in a busy diagnostic imaging department, during which time trainees learn to interpret all imaging modalities with confidence. The dedicated IR years are spent immersed in a robust clinical interventional radiology division with seven board-certified interventional radiologists and aided by four physician assistants, which is thriving and growing every year.
Curriculum
Integrated IR/DR Residency
During the first 3 years (PGY 2-4) of this IR/DR residency, trainees will train almost indistinguishably alongside the Diagnostic Radiology residents, including the same educational goals and objectives. The only difference will be some added IR rotations in these first three years. All responsibilities including call will otherwise be identical. In PGY-5 and 6, the IR/DR residents will focus their training on all aspects of interventional radiology, including both technical skills as well as clinical care. The overarching goal is for trainees in our program to become adept in the interpretation of all diagnostic imaging modalities as well as to become skilled and proficient in not only the technical skills of minimally invasive image-guided procedures, but also the compassionate care of their patients both before and after the procedure. The goal of the program is to graduate confident, independent practitioners able to both lead a true clinical IR service while also having the ability to be a productive diagnostic radiologist in either academic or private practice.
ESIR (Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology)
Each year, any of the interested second year diagnostic radiology are allowed to apply for ESIR designation within our program. This is based off of IR rotation performance, DR rotation performance, in-service scores, board scores, and overall fit in our program. One ESIR resident will be selected annually. During their fourth DR year (PGY-5), this resident will have a special concentration in IR, completing 10 months of IR or IR-related rotations, including an ICU month and a month at our dedicated vein clinic. They will also perform over 500 procedures, allowing them to get ESIR designation and be able to apply to one-year Independent IR Residency positions. Our ESIR resident and Integrated IR resident have nearly identical schedules in their PGY-5 year.
Independent Interventional Radiology Residency
Independent IR Residency is a two-year program in PGY-6 (for one-year applicants who have completed ESIR) or PGY-6 and PGY-7 (for two-year applicants) allowing a diagnostic radiology resident who has successfully completed DR residency to further train in interventional radiology at our institution. This will replace the previous IR fellowship, allowing residents who became interested in IR later or who did not match into the Integrated Program to complete the requisite training and sit for the IR/DR exam to become eligible for the dual IR/DR certificate. Trainees who successfully complete the Independent IR residency and pass the boards will be identical in certification to those who complete the Integrated IR residency. Resident will have all of their 12-24 months dedicated to clinical IR training, including core IR rotations, ICU rotations, Vein Institute rotations, neurointerventional rotations, electives, and dedicated research time.
PGY-1
| ROTATION | WEEKS |
| ER | 8 |
| Body | 8 |
| Chest | 4 |
| Ultrasound | 6 |
| IR | 6 |
| Nuclear | 4 |
| Mammo | 4 |
| MSK | 4 |
| Neuro | 4 |
| Peds | 4 |
| TOTAL | 52 |
PGY-2
| ROTATION | WEEKS |
| ER | 4 |
| Body | 4 |
| Chest | 7 |
| Ultrasound | 4 |
| IR | 8 |
| Nuclear | 4 |
| Mammo | 4 |
| MSK | 4 |
| Neuro | 4 |
| Peds | 4 |
| Night Float | 5 |
| TOTAL | 52 |
PGY-3
| ROTATION | WEEKS |
| Chest | 4 |
| IR/Research | 8 |
| Nuclear | 4 |
| Mammo | 4 |
| MSK | 4 |
| Neuro | 5 |
| Peds | 4 |
| AIRP | 4 |
| Advanced Imaging | 11 |
| Night Float | 4 |
| TOTAL | 52 |
PGY-4
| ROTATION | WEEKS |
| IR Procedures/Clinic | 12 |
| IR Consult/Vascular Imaging/Procedures | 24 |
| ICU | 4 |
| Elective/Research | 4 |
| Diagnostic – Nucs | 4 |
| Diagnostic – Mammo | 4 |
| TOTAL | 52 |
PGY-5
| ROTATION | WEEKS |
| IR Procedures/Clinic | 30 |
| IR Consult/Vascular Imaging/Procedures | 6 |
| The Vein Institute | 8 |
| Elective/Research | 4 |
| NeuroIR | 4 |
| TOTAL | 52 |
PGY-6
| ROTATION | WEEKS |
| IR Procedures/Clinic | 30 |
| IR Consult/Vascular Imaging/Procedures | 6 |
| The Vein Institute | 4 |
| Elective/Research | 8 |
| NeuroIR | 4 |
| TOTAL | 52 |
What We Do
Vascular Disease
Venous thromboembolism/Pulmonary embolism/May Thurner Syndrome
Cancer/Oncologic Treatment
Spine Interventions
Women’s Health
Gastrointestinal/Biliary/Portal Hypertension
Nephrology Disorders
Urological Disease
Lymphatic Disorders
Central venous access
CT and Ultrasound-guided procedures
Pain Management
Miscellaneous
How to Apply
Under ACGME and SIR guidance, and in trying to keep as fair and safe as possible for all prospective applicants, residency interviews at Rochester General Hospital will be offered virtually.
We welcome candidates of all backgrounds with diversity in both their academic and personal experiences. For this application year, we will have one (IR1/PGY-2) interventional radiology resident position in the Medical Student Match. Applications are accepted from September 1st through October 15th. Applicants are selected to interview by the Selection Committee as soon as we are allowed to start reviewing applications on September 29th, with invites sent out over the subsequent weeks. Interviews are offered on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible as interview slots get filled early.
All applications must be submitted through ERAS. We require a minimum of:
- 3 Letters of reference
- CV
- Dean’s Letter
- Personal Statement
Applicants should contact their medical schools, or see the ERAS Web site for more information on this service.
If you are also interested in applying to the Diagnostic Radiology program, please understand that you must fill out a separate application to each program to be considered for both, even though only one interview will be required for us to rank you on both lists
Deadline for Application: October 15
*Applicants may apply for either or both programs. Ranking in each program is done independently
Due to the number of inquiries we receive, we are unable to review any application information that is not submitted through ERAS.
All first-year resident appointments are made through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The table above lists the number of positions and NRMP number for our program.
Integrated IR/DR Program*
2
R1 Position
1509416A0
NRMP Number
Diagnostic Radiology Program*
5
R1 Positions
1509420A0
NRMP Number
Independent IR Program (IR Fellowship)
1
R1 Position
1509415F0
NRMP Number
Information for Applicants Selected to Interview
Interviews
All interviews will be held virtually on Zoom to be as safe and fair as possible for all invited applicants. After selecting applicants to be formally interviewed at Rochester General Hospital for the Integrated IR/DR program, specific information will be sent to you directly via email to pick a suitable date. All links and details on how to log on to the virtual interview day will also be sent with clear instructions. For those IR/DR applicants also interested in applying to the Diagnostic Radiology program (which is encouraged), one combined interview day will suffice for both programs for your interview. Please note that to be considered and ranked for both programs, you MUST apply separately to both programs through the NRMP.
Virtual Interview Schedule
Monday Evening of Interview Week: Program Director Introductions
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Interview Days:
- 7:50am: IR Applicants Virtual Arrival
- 8:00am: Cohort A interviews (6 candidates)
- 10:00am: Cohort B interviews (6 candidates)
- 11:30am: Resident Roundtable Discussion
- 12:00pm: Noon Conference
- 1:15pm: Cohort C interviews (6 candidates)
Please note all above times are Eastern Standard Time (all attempts will be made to have West Coast applicants in Cohort C)
Benefits & Compensation
Physics Course
1 week Physics course, full tuition and conference allowance provided
AIRP™
4 weeks American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP™), full tuition and conference allowance provided
Moonlighting
In-house moonlighting available for R2-5 residents in good professional and academic standing
Vacation
5 weeks of paid vacation per year. Additional Paid Time Off (PTO) provided for academic achievements
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance is provided by Rochester General Hospital’s insurance program for activities required by the residency program.
Term Life Insurance
$10,000 employer paid coverage with option to purchase added coverage up to 4 times annual salary.
Plan for Short-term Disability
Full salary is continued during off-the-job disability up to 26 weeks
Long-term Disability
Option to purchase 50-67% of pay coverage
Retirement Program
Option to enroll in tax deferred annuity plan.
Dental Plan
Option to purchase one of two plans available
Textbooks
First year IR residents receive the latest editions of the requisite IR textbooks in addition to book
Radiation Protection
IR residents will be sized to purchase their own lead vest and skirt along with eye radiation protection for use throughout their residency and beyond
Resident salaries by program year:
$63,500
PGY-2
$66,000
PGY-3
$69,000
PGY-4
$71,000
PGY-5
$73,000
PGY-6
Why Rochester?
Program Contacts
Raj Pyne, MD, FSIR
Program Director, Interventional Radiology Residency Associate Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency
Additional Information
Email
Phone: 585-922-2932
Joel Thompson, MD
Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency Associate Program Director, IR/DR Residency
Additional Information
Email
Phone: 585-922-2932
Raquel Redman, MPA
Practice Manager, RRH Ambulatory Imaging and Program Coordinator, IR, DR, and Neuroradiology Residency Programs
Additional Information
Email
Phone: 585-922-5940
Margot Schutte, MS
Program Coordinator, IR, DR, & Neuroradiology
Additional Information
Email
Phone: 585-922-2932
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How will residency interviews for the Integrated IR and DR programs be held this year?
When do you start to accept applications?
What is the application deadline?
How many residents do you accept per year?
When will I find out if I was accepted for an interview?
What is the difference between Integrated IR Residency, Independent IR Residency, and ESIR?
Independent IR Residency is a one-or-two-year program in PGY-6 and PGY-7 allowing a diagnostic radiology resident who has successfully completed DR residency to further train in interventional radiology. This will replace the previous IR fellowship, allowing residents who became interested in IR later or who did not match into the Integrated Program to complete the requisite training and sit for the IR/DR exam to become eligible for the dual IR/DR certificate. Trainees who successfully complete the Independent IR residency and pass the boards will be identical in certification to those who complete the Integrated IR residency. RGH is currently offering one Independent IR residency position per year through the NRMP match.
ESIR (Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology) is a pathway that shortens the above Independent IR Residency to one year by completing a required amount of IR and IR-related rotations in the fourth and final DR year (think of it as a formalized mini-fellowship year). The RGH diagnostic radiology program has been approved for ESIR and has already internally selected one of our second year DR residents. If you apply and are selected for this program and successfully complete it, it shows that you have met minimum standards and requirements. Therefore, you are required to then complete only one year after separately matching into an Independent IR Residency (either at RGH or elsewhere). However, ESIR does not guarantee you a position in RGH’s or any other program’s Independent IR residency – you still must separately apply to this through the NRMP and match into a program. It is officially considered a second residency. Any DR resident in the RGH program can apply for the ESIR program during their second (PGY-3) year.
Can I apply to the IR/DR program as well as the DR program?
This year, in addition to our IR/DR position, we will also be accepting applications in our Diagnostic Radiology (DR) residency training program for 4 Advanced (A) positions. We are approved for the ESIR designation available to diagnostic residents, which will allow ESIR-accepted residents to complete a one-year Independent IR Residency instead of the traditional two-year Independent IR Residency. Both IR/DR and DR program directors fully understand this and welcome applicants who have applied or are interested in both programs.
If you apply to more than program and you are accepted for an interview, you will be specifically notified if the interview is for Diagnostic Radiology residency only, Interventional Radiology residency only, or for both. Please note that to be accepted to interview for both, you need to have applied separately via ERAS/NRMP to both the IR and DR programs at RGH.
Do you have ESIR designation for DR residents interested in IR? Will you offer the Independent IR residency?
What are the minimum requirements to apply for the IR/DR residency?
- Dean’s Letter / Medical School
- Performance Evaluation
- Medical School Transcript
- USMLE scores
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae
- ERAS common application
Is there a minimum board score to apply?
How do I find out about an update on my application status?
If you have a question, please reach out to the IR Residency Program Coordinators:
- Margot Schutte – Margot.Schutte@rochesterregional.org or call 585-922-2932
- Raquel Redman – Raquel.Redman@rochesterregional.org
Do you offer IR rotations for visiting medical students?
Yes. The RGH IR department constantly hosts medical students in their fourth year dedicated to interventional radiology (as well as diagnostic radiology). Many will use this as a sub-internship in IR. Medical students typically stay for a four-week rotation, during which time they are exposed to and incorporated into all aspects of a busy clinical IR service. Time will be spent in scrubbing into IR procedures, seeing consultations, rounding on patients with IR residents, and seeing patients in IR clinic. Additionally, med students will take part in IR Grand Rounds and be expected to present an interesting case for a patient they took care of as well as present on an IR topic. Research opportunities are also available. A structured curriculum with goals and objectives, a reading list, as well both a pre-test and post-test, are provided. RGH is not part of the VSLO Application Service (sometimes referred to as VSAS). This year due to safety regulations, there may be limitations or visiting rotations. To apply for a visiting medical student rotation, please contact the Program Coordinator for RGH Graduate Medical Education either at 585-922-5801 for more information. You can also reach out to the IR Residency Program Coordinators for more information on away rotations:
- Margot Schutte – Margot.Schutte@rochesterregional.org or call 585-922-2932
- Raquel Redman – raquel.redman@rochesterregional.org
Faculty
View the current Faculty and Staff for the IR Residency Program
Current Residents
View our current residents in the IR Residency Program
Graduates
View the recent graduates of the IR Residency Program