Emergency and Trauma Imaging

The Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine offers a one-year fellowship position in emergency and trauma imaging. Fellows receive diverse and comprehensive clinical experience from the emergency departments of three teaching hospitals (Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, and Grady Memorial Hospital) and two community hospitals (Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital). Grady Memorial Hospital is among the busiest and most dynamic Level I trauma centers in the Southeast. Fellows can expect to gain interpretive experience in all modalities including CT, MR, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, radiography, and teleradiology. Teaching opportunities abound with residents and medical students while protected academic time allows fellows to explore research interests.

We enjoy collegial relationships with our referring physicians in the emergency department and trauma surgery, both top rated programs within the country. Fellows are also afforded protected academic time to explore a multitude of research opportunities within our cutting-edge division. Additionally, teaching opportunities abound at Emory, the largest radiology residency program in the country. 

Program Director: Mona Vakil, MD

Assistant Program Director: Paige Sharp, MD

• To provide a diverse and comprehensive clinical experience in the emergency and trauma imaging departments of Emory Healthcare and Grady Memorial hospitals.
• To facilitate ample resident and medical student educational interactions and to foster teaching opportunities. 
• To facilitate academic investigation and further the understanding of topics in the field of emergency and trauma imaging.

The Emergency and Trauma Imaging Fellowship Program is a one-year non-ACGME fellowship consisting of 44 clinical weeks. The core clinical rotations include the following:

• 26 weeks at Grady Memorial Hospital and
• 18 weeks at Emory University Hospital Midtown.

The fellowship additionally offers

• 4 weeks of non-clinical/elective time;
• 3 weeks of vacation; and
• 1 week of conference time.

Fellows can expect supervised and graded independent clinical opportunities throughout the year at various locations. Fellows generally function in a supervised capacity with traditional faculty read-out sessions throughout the first six months of the year. Afterward, fellows will gain increasingly greater responsibilities and eventually independent interpretation in preparation for graduation. Fellows will spend half their clinical time at Grady Memorial Hospital. The remaining clinical time will be spent at Emory University Hospital Midtown.

Grady Memorial Hospital

Fellows will staff the Emergency and Trauma Imaging reading room along with a Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging faculty member. Fellows can expect traditional staff readouts at Grady Memorial Hospital. Fellows will encounter emergent radiographic and cross-sectional imaging at the state’s largest and busiest trauma center.

Emory University Hospital Midtown

Fellows will staff the Emergency and Trauma Imaging reading room at Emory University Hospital Midtown with the ability to interpret images throughout the Emory Healthcare enterprise. Via the PACS, the Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging provides support for Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital, and Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital. 

There additionally is an option to rotate through a late-evening shift which runs from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.; fellows will render radiographic, ultrasonographic, and cross-sectional interpretations during this shift.

Division faculty work overnight shifts (10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.); participating in overnight work is optional for ER fellows and schedule for such work would be designed on an individual basis and would follow the sustainable faculty schedule model (1 weekday compensation day for recovery time for each overnight shift worked).

Fellows are offered four weeks of elective time. Additional elective time can be obtained following discussion with the program director.

Education

Fellow education will occur on multiple levels including clinical education, didactic sessions, formal divisional and departmental lectures, self-directed learning and CME opportunities at conferences. A $2,500 Professional Development Fund (PDF) is available for educational purposes and to assist with travel to conferences.

Teaching

Fellows will be actively involved in divisional teaching activities for residents and medical students. Teaching takes place during clinical rotations, didactic teaching sessions, and formal lectures. Fellows also will participate in the Emory Radiology and Imaging Sciences core lecture series. 

A Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging educational lecture series occurs 2-4 times per month; this consists of didactic lectures, M&M Case Conference, Emergency Radiology Journal Club, and a follow-up case conference (pathology/surgical follow-up). Active engagement of fellows is encouraged and expected in these conferences. A dedicated media center is available to assist fellows with preparing educational or presentation materials.

Research

Fellowship candidates are encouraged to participate in at least one emergency radiology-oriented research project that culminates in either a publication in a peer-reviewed journal or an abstract at a national conference. Fellows are encouraged to attend the American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER) annual meeting, which usually occurs in September.

Qualifications

Applicants must have completed or be scheduled to complete an ACGME- (American) or RCPSC- (Canadian) accredited diagnostic radiology residency prior to their desired fellowship start date. Qualified applicants must meet requirements for medical licensure in the state of Georgia. 

Applications

Those interested in applying to our program should contact Dr. Mona Vakil. Please include a cover letter and CV as well as expected fellowship year. The final application should also include two letters of recommendation.

Our program participates in the NRMP Match. As this is the inaugural year for the emergency radiology match, information regarding the match from NRMP is forthcoming and can be found at NRMP.

Important dates:

September 1: Fellowship applications accepted

December 1: Begin fellowship interviews

March 24: NRMP match opens

June 16: Match day

July 1 (the following year): Fellowship begins

Mona Vakil, MD
Program Director
Emergency Radiology Fellowship Program
Emory University Midtown Hospital
550 Peachtree St, NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 686-5612
FAX: (404) 686-5709
Email

Interviews

Emory will hold virtual interviews for the 2020-2021 interview cycle beginning in November. Virtual introductions, a virtual tour, and a department overview webinar will be available to applicants before virtual interviews with faculty and fellows. This schedule allows candidates to learn about the program and our philosophies from both faculty and fellows. 

Feedback will be on-going and based on clinical, research, and teaching progress. Formal evaluations will take place on a quarterly basis. Fellows must demonstrate a commitment to professional responsibility and ethical standards. Fellows will demonstrate the skills and competencies described by the ACGME core competency guidelines.

Compensation will be commensurate with Emory University School of Medicine guidelines for post-graduate trainees.

Emory University allows three weeks of vacation per calendar year for post-graduate trainees.

Fellows may participate in the array of medical/dental/prescription benefit plans offered by Emory University.

The Division of Emergency and Trauma Imaging allows one week of conference time each calendar year to pursue further education outside the institution.

Internal moonlighting is available for Emergency Radiology fellows. Please contact Tarek Hanna for further details. External moonlighting is not permitted.

Although the program directors are the primary points of contact, fellows are encouraged to take advantage of the rich and diverse developmental, educational, research, and mentoring opportunities available throughout the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, the School of Medicine, and the rest of Emory University.

EMORY UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
THE ROBERT W. WOODRUFF HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER