Body Imaging and Intervention Fellowship

Program Overview

Fellows rotate through Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center (LAC+USC), Keck Hospital of USC, the HCC1 and HCC2 private outpatient clinics, and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. One of the fellowship’s key strengths derives from the breadth of experience and rich diversity offered by having these very different facilities located on one medical campus. All of studies are reviewed on our PACS workstations. Additional 3D Vitrea workstations are located throughout the department and there is Vitrea integration available on our PACS as well.

The goal of the Body Imaging and Intervention Fellowship is to prepare confident, capable radiologists for careers in both private practice and academics. Our busy clinical service offers excellent experience in terms of both volume and range of pathology. Research activity is encouraged, and our fellows have enjoyed success in their submissions to national meetings, including the Radiological Society of North America and the American Roentgen Ray Society.

There are numerous, daily case conferences at each facility. The fellow will be working closely with residents, fellows and faculty throughout the year. Interesting case conference takes place every other week to enhance the learning experience. Fellows additionally participate in monthly journal clubs. During their time at USC, fellows are given the appointment of clinical instructor.

BODY IMAGING AND INTERVENTION FELLOWSHIP:

Fellows receive comprehensive and supervised training in advanced body imaging, both above and below the diaphragm. The year is divided into monthly rotations, with 3 months of body MRI, 4 months of ultrasound and interventional procedures, one month of PET/CT, one month of Cardiac Imaging (CT and MRI), one month at Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and 2 months of electives, which can be tailored, to the fellows’ interests. Up to four positions are offered each year.

MRI:

The workload includes, but is not limited to, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, oncologic and gynecologic imaging. More specialized examinations are also performed, including dynamic pelvic imaging, prostate MRI and cardiac imaging. There are currently five 1.5T and four 3T magnets on campus.

Ultrasound:

The US workload consists of general abdominal, genitourinary, oncologic and transplant imaging. Interventional procedures include CT- and US-guided biopsies and drainages of both deep and superficial structures, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and intra-operative ultrasound.

Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center:

The Norris workload consists primarily of staging CTs of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Other modalities performed at Norris include ultrasound and CT procedures, fluoroscopy, plain film, and CT colonography.

Electives:

Options include breast imaging (mammography, breast US, procedures and breast MRI) and additional MRI rotations (including MSK and neuroradiology).

Call Requirements:

The Body Imaging and Intervention Fellowship has a call requirement which averages out to one weekend on call out of every four weekends.

How To Apply

Thank you for your interest in the USC Body Imaging and Intervention Fellowship. The Body Imaging and Intervention Fellowship will not be participating in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). Applications and interviews take place on a rolling basis. We will start accepting applications for 2023-2024 Fellowship on August 1st, and plan to conduct virtual interviews beginning in November.

Those wishing to apply should complete the following:

A California Medical License is required prior to fellowship start. Applications for licensure should be made to the CA Medical Board by November in the year to your fellowship appointment. This is a time-consuming process and a prompt application is encouraged. For more information please contact:

Medical Board of California
1426 Howe Avenue
Suite #54
Sacramento, CA 95825

Phone: (916) 263-2382
Email: webmaster@medbed.ca.gov
Website: http://www.medbd.ca.gov

A California Radiology Supervisor and Operator Certificate (fluoroscopy license) is also required prior to fellowship start. Obtaining this certificate involves fee payment as well as a written exam. Applications for licensure should be made to the California Department of Public Health- Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB), in November of the year prior to your appointment.

All Application Materials or questions should be emailed to the attention of the fellowship coordinator with all Program Directors included:

Tricia Barrow
Fellowship Coordinator
Email: tricia.barrow@med.usc.edu

Michelle Hopstone, M.D.
Program Director
Email: michelle.hopstone@med.usc.edu

Ali Rastegarpour, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Email: ali.rastegarpour@med.usc.edu

Contact

Department of Radiology, LAC+USC
1983 Marengo Street, D&T 3D321
Los Angeles, California 90033
Phone: (323) 409-7242