About us

The diagnostic radiology program at Franciscan Health is an ACGME-accredited 5-year categorical residency dedicated to training well-qualified physicians to become competent diagnostic radiologists. Our excellent caseload, favorable faculty-to-resident ratio, access to state-of-the-art imaging equipment, and proximity to some of the nation's foremost medical institutions help our residents gain an unmatched education in radiology.

Situated in the south Chicago suburbs, Franciscan Health is the primary teaching hospital for the diagnostic radiology residency training program. Residents gain additional training at our affiliate institutions.

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (Northwestern University) - Pediatric Radiology

UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial - Interventional Radiology

American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) - Silver Springs, MD

Rotations

During the PGY-1  year, the intern completes transitional year rotations in internal medicine, ICU, EM, general surgery, urology, inpatient neurology, endocrinology clinic, family medicine clinic, and inpatient GI. The final three intern blocks are spent in the radiology department, including a scholarly activity elective.

Beginning the PGY-2 / R1 year, rotations are composed of thirteen 4-week blocks annually, adhering to the standards prescribed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).  PGY-2 rotations emphasize fundamentals and common examinations in plain radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound in preparation for in-house call.  You will participate in radiological examinations, interpretations, and diagnostic/interventional procedures while on rotations in every subspecialty.

As the resident advances, more emphasis is placed upon more complicated and advanced aspects of radiology, including special procedures.  Residents gain their required three-month pediatric radiology experience at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago during their PGY-3 year.  PGY-4 residents also attend the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) radiology-pathology course.

Education/Didactics

Residents are required by the ACGME to complete at least one original research project which will be published and/or presented at a local, regional, or national meeting.

Residents participate in daily attending- and resident-driven noon case conferences, as well as other resident-directed lectures.  In addition, residents participate in weekly tumor board, monthly journal club, and a collaborative monthly conference with the general surgery residency program.  

Numerous resources are available for the residents, including an extensive department library of textbooks and learning materials.  Residents are given access to the extensive RadPrimer and Board Vitals curricula, e-Anatomy, Core Physics Review and individual subscriptions to StatDx.

ESIR Pathway

We have ACGME approval for the ESIR pathway, which is a training option for diagnostic radiology residents who identify an early desire to specialize in interventional radiology. All of our residents get a wide variety and high volume of minimally invasive procedures. However, residents have an option to apply to the ESIR pathway during their R2 year, which would yield more IR and ICU training during their final two years of residency.

ESIR candidates must still complete an independent IR residency to finish their IR training. However, completion of the ESIR requirements allows entry into the 2nd year of the independent IR residency, reducing the total training time to only six years. 

*Additional information available at the ACGME Program Website