Our Mission - Diagnostic Radiology Residency

The aims of the Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program at Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) are to:

• Train physicians to be superb radiologists prepared for a successful career in academic or private practice.
• Train residents capable of attaining certification by the American Board of Radiology and matching into top level fellowship programs.
• Produce radiologists dedicated to lifelong learning and quality improvement with the highest ethical standards.
  

The objectives enabling us to achieve these aims are to:

• Create an extraordinary resident-centered learning environment that is stimulating, supportive, and collegial.
   
• Offer a rich variety of educational experiences to our residents, including:
    
  
  • Clinical rotations at VMMC with teaching at the workstation tailored to the level of resident training, including advanced imaging in all subspecialty areas, with attending radiologists working alongside residents on daytime services.
  • Providing exceptional opportunities to develop expertise in image-guided procedures.
  • Clinical rotations at affiliate top hospitals in Seattle recognized for clinical excellence, including:
    • Pediatric radiology at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
    • Trauma radiology at Harborview Medical Center, including emergency radiology and neuro rotations.
  • Daily didactic and multidisciplinary clinical conferences, including:
    • A wide range of twice daily didactic conferences at VMMC, encompassing clinical and non-interpretive skills. Case-based conferences are encouraged.
    • Simulation sessions offered in management of contrast reactions, US-guided breast biopsies, interventional radiology, and call preparation.
    • Weekly didactics at the University of Washington, including the Radiologic Physics Course.
    • Attending and presenting at multidisciplinary tumor boards and clinical conferences, presenting an annual talk to the department, and also attending and leading our departmental Peer Learning Conferences.
  • AIRP attendance during the PGY-4 year (currently both virtual and in-person with stipend provided for those who attend in-person).
  • All residents participate at least once during their residency in the ACR Informatics course.
     
• Immerse residents in a culture of patient safety, continual quality improvement, and efficient utilization of health care resources.
    
  
  • Each categorical resident during their PGY-1 year completes the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) Basics curriculum, which is based on our nationally-recognized management system that improves patient safety and eliminates waste. Advanced residents are offered the opportunity to complete the VMPS Basics curriculum if they are interested.
  • If the resident is the lead author on a quality improvement project that is submitted for publication, this can be used to meet the scholarly activity requirement for graduation.
  • The research elective during the PGY-3 year can be used to work on a QI project.
  • Mandatory participation in a multi-day Kaizen Event or Rapid Process Improvement Workshop at least once during residency (often done during the transitional year).
  • Residents and faculty can complete a series of online modules offered by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
  • All residents participate twice during their residency in the ACR Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI) Resident Milestones Program: Economics and the Physician Role in Health Care Systems.