Residency Program

About the Residency Program

Department of Radiology residents emerge from their four years of graduate medical education as highly qualified radiologists. Our residents succeed by balancing three important processes: strong clinical education during the workday; dedicated organized study time outside of work; and focused personal time to experience life apart from work.

Clinical experience covers all imaging modalities, including plain radiography, fluoroscopy, CT (including high resolution CT and 64 slice cardiac imaging as well as CTA), MR (including perfusion and diffusion imaging as well as MRA), PET, PET/CT, angiography, radionuclide imaging and treatment, ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, mammography, image guided intervention including all imaging modalities as guidance systems. Curriculum also includes physics, non-interpretive topics, and is in full compliance with ACGME program requirements.

Residents are presented with a superb progression of increasing autonomy and independence within the structure of a clinical care system

Diagnostic Radiology trainees will find a breadth and depth of pathology that can only be found in a large culturally diverse urban university medical center.
Residents are presented with a superb progression of increasing autonomy and independence within the structure of a clinical care system designed to ensure optimal patient care, optimal patient safety and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

The mission of the USC Diagnostic Residency Program is to:

  1. Train physicians to become diagnostic radiologists according the requirements of the ACGME for Graduate Medical Education in Diagnostic Radiology
  2. Achieve and maintain a 100% first time pass rate for residents on the American Board of Radiology Core and Certification examinations in Diagnostic Radiology
  3. Ensure that all graduates are life-long learners prepared to participate in the American Board of Radiology Maintenance of Certification process for the entirety of their careers
  4. Inspire resident graduates to pursue careers in academic medicine concentrating on teaching future radiologists and/or radiology research
  5. Allow and assist each resident to develop into a mature professional who puts the needs of others first in the workplace.  Aspects of professionalism to be developed include cultural sensitivity, communication skills, compassion, accountability, and commitment to career-long quality improvement.

Application

Applications to our training program are made through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application System). Candidates for residencies are considered during their fourth year of medical school. Our positions are filled through the National Residency Matching Program.

Requirements for admission include:

  • Immigration Status: Residents must be US citizens or permanent residents. The institution does not sponsor J-1 nor H-1 Visas.
  • Medical Education: Resident must be a graduate of an LCME accredited US or Canadian medical school or – for graduates of international medical schools – be in compliance with ECFMG requirements for post-graduate training in the US.
  • Clinical Year (Internship):  Because this residency is an advanced residency (PGY 2 – PGY5), it must be preceded by satisfactory completion of an ACGME-approved clinical year.  This clinical year must be in compliance with ACGME program requirements for Diagnostic Radiology.
  • BLS/ACLS Certification:  All residents must maintain BLS and ACLS certification.  The institution provides support for this process.

Quick Links

Need Help Applying?
Our team is more than happy to answer all of your questions.
Gabriel Ramos
Diagnostic Radiology, Program Coordinator
Department of Radiology
Keck School of Medicine
Phone: (323) 409-7257
Email:  Diagnostic Radiology Program
Heidi Wassef, M.D.
Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Director
Radiology Department
Keck School of Medicine
Email: wassef@med.usc.edu
Michael Katz, M.D.
Interventional Radiology Residency Program Director
Radiology Department
Keck School of Medicine
Email: michael.katz@med.usc.edu

Schedule Overview

Residents rotate through 12 blocks each year during their PGY-2 through PGY-4 years, each block lasting 1 month. During their PGY-5 year, residents spend 6 months on “mini-fellowships” in an area or areas of interest in addition to required rotations in Neuroradiology, Mammography, Body Imaging, Emergency Radiology, Nuclear medicine and Cardiothoracic Imaging. Formative evaluations of resident performance are submitted by faculty at completion of each clinical rotation. In addition, graduated call responsibilities are fully implemented in compliance with ACGME requirements.
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Rotation Facilities

Residents rotate through the Los Angeles General Medical Center, Keck Hospital of USC and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. All 3 facilities are located on the 79-acre USC Medical Campus 3 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
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Benefits and Salary

A strong departmental conference schedule, competitive salary structure, financial support for conference presentations, and tuition reimbursement/living stipend to the AIRP course are just some of the benefits provided to our residents.
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