PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This is a four-year program with a total of eighteen residents. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Under the supervision of staff personnel, first-year residents receive training that includes an introduction to general, alimentary, pediatric, interventional radiology, ultrasonography, and genitourinary radiology, along with basic radiologic physics and techniques. As the program progresses, residents assume increasing responsibility.

During the second, third, and fourth years, residents rotate through various specialties, including pediatric radiology at Nemours Children’s Hospital, radiologic pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C., interventional radiology, neuroradiology, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and breast imaging. Senior fourth-year residents have substantial blocks of elective time to individualize their training in preparation for fellowship and future practice.

SPECIALTY ROTATIONS

Interventional Radiology (R1 and R2 Year): Our faculty includes a dedicated team of interventional radiologists at Larkin Hospital. Residents gain hands-on experience with procedures such as neurointervention, IVC filter placement, biopsies, thoracentesis, and paracentesis. Residents interested in Interventional Radiology can join the Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR) program, which allows for advanced placement into the second year of an IR fellowship, reducing the overall training time. Up to two residents may enroll in the accelerated track during their R2 year.

Pediatric Rotation (R1 and R3 Year): The pediatric rotation is completed at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida (NCH), a 130-bed pediatric hospital in Orlando, affiliated with the University of Central Florida. NCH provides comprehensive pediatric care and includes a regional pediatric ICU and NICU. With a team of 40 pediatric radiologists, NCH’s Radiology Department is one of the largest in the nation, improving report turnaround times, sub-specialization, and academic productivity. In 2023, NCH performed over 100,000 procedures and is part of Nemours Children’s Radiology, which conducts over 400,000 studies nationally and excels in research, education, quality, safety, and clinical care.

Breast Imaging (R2-R4 Year): The mammography block is completed at Pembroke Pink Imaging, a state-of-the-art, comprehensive women’s outpatient center affiliated with the main hospital in Miami. Under the supervision of five breast fellowship-trained attendings, residents are exposed to a high volume of cases using multiple modalities, including mammograms, tomosynthesis, ultrasound, breast and pelvic MRI, high-risk OB/GYN US/MRI, and procedures such as biopsies (US, MRI, and stereotactic) and needle localization.

Neuro (R1-R4 Year): The neuro block is completed at Miami Neuroscience Center at Larkin, a state-of-the-art outpatient facility attached to the main hospital, specializing in Gamma Knife and skull base surgery. Under the supervision of Dr. Juan Telleria and Dr. Jennifer Telleria-Cano, fellowship-trained neuroradiologists, residents participate in one-on-one sign-out sessions, offering personalized instruction in the interpretation of complex neuroimaging cases. The facility is home to the most experienced Gamma Knife team in the region, led by the renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Aizik Wolf, M.D., who helped develop the Leksell Gamma Knife.

Musculoskeletal (R3 Year): A 4-week block at the University of Cincinnati’s MSK department, staffed by fellowship-trained, board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists, providing high-quality diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures related to the musculoskeletal system. Procedures include joint, bursal, and tendon sheath injections, CT and MR arthrography, cyst aspiration, mass biopsy, calcific tendinitis aspiration, nerve injections, and various tendon treatments (tenotomy, whole blood injection).

Nuclear Medicine (R3 and R4 Year): The Nuclear Radiology program, led by Dr. Daryl Eber at 3T Radiology Research in Miami Beach, encompasses clinical applications of instrumentation, in vitro and organ visualization procedures, and the production and use of radiodiagnostic and therapeutic compounds. Residents rotating through nuclear medicine participate in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of patients.

American College of Radiology AIRP Radiologic/Pathologic Course (R3 Year): A mandatory 4-week course at the ACR in Washington, D.C., focusing on the radiologic and pathological presentation of diseases, which all residents take during their third year.

All away rotations outside of the greater Miami area provide housing and travel reimbursement.

CONFERENCES

Our program takes a multi-disciplinary approach to learning, with conferences held Monday through Wednesday afternoons. Each section presents five to six weeks of lectures throughout the year, and visiting lecturers from other academic institutions share their expertise at weekly conferences. This provides a valuable opportunity for our residents to learn from and interact with some of the greatest minds in radiology. Formal medical physics instruction is provided weekly by our dedicated physicist, Dr. Xiaodong Wu, covering topics such as radiologic and nuclear medicine physics, radiation biology and protection, I-131 therapy, and MRI safety. Larkin Community Hospital also offers coursework on emergency radiology for all first-year residents to help prepare for call. In addition to attending lectures and conferences, residents are also responsible for lecturing medical students enrolled in our Radiology Clerkships. Residents are encouraged to attend radiology meetings, both locally and nationally, with attendance at seminars and conferences strongly recommended.

Although all resident activities remain under the supervision and guidance of staff, responsibility increases progressively in line with individual development.

BOARD REVIEW COURSES

Residents have access to the MRI Online/Mendality board review course and RadPrimer question bank throughout all four years of residency. They also receive weekly CORE didactic and medical physics lectures from our in-house physicist.

Interested in setting up an away rotation? Contact Laura Salazar: lsalazar@larkinhcs.com