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The Department of Radiology at St Christopher's Hospital for Children offers one-year positions in pediatric radiology. The fellowship training covers all aspects of pediatric imaging. St Christopher's Hospital is affiliated with Drexel University College of Medicine, and has a strong tradition of clinical teaching in pediatrics and pediatric subspecialties. The fellow has opportunity to teach and supervise residents and medical students, and to pursue research interests.
Facilities and Equipment
Approximately 53,000 examinations are performed in the department each year. Imaging equipment includes 3 radiographic rooms, 2 fluoroscopic rooms, ultrasound suite with 2 Acuson ultrasound units with power Doppler and color-flow Doppler, Siemens helical CT, Siemens 1.5T MRI, and nuclear medicine suite with single-head and double-head gamma cameras. Sedation and recovery rooms are located in the department, and a team of experienced nurses handle patient sedation and contrast injections.
Faculty
The department has 5 pediatric radiologists, all having certification by the American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Imaging as well as Certificate of Added Qualification in Pediatric Radiology. Radiologists hold academic appointments at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Andrew B. Campbell, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiologic Sciences
Chief, Section of Ultrasound
Eric N. Faerber, MD
Professor of Radiologic Sciences
Chief, Neuroradiology
Director, Department of Radiology
Evan Geller, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiologic Sciences
Chief, Nuclear Medicine Section
Robert Siegel, MD
Professor of Radiologic Sciences
Eleanor Smergel, MD
Associate Professor of Radiologic Sciences
Director, Radiology Training Program
Chief, Section of CT and MRI
Fellowship Curriculum
The goals of the program are to provide the trainee an opportunity to acquire the kinowledge, skills, and experience to practice pediatric radiology as a specialist; to instill in the trainee intellectual motivation to maintain expertise by processes of life-long learning; to support the personal development of the trainee leading toward a productive and fulfilling career; to stress the importance of compassionate patient care and maintenance of high professional standards.
The pediatric radiology curriculum encompasses patients of all ages from birth to late adolescence. Experience includes both outpatient and inpatient populations. Areas of training include:
- Cardiovascular and thoracic imaging
- Neuroradiology
- Abdominal imaging
- Oncologic imaging
- Musculoskeletal imaging
- Emergency radiology
- Neonatal imaging
In all areas, attention is paid to tailoring study protocols to clinical indications, maintaining radiation dose as low as possible, and appropriate utilization of imaging studies. Factors that contribute to optimal image quality are addressed. Development of technical skill is emphasized in all areas as well as compassionate handling of the pediatric patient. Developing skill and experience in film interpretation is a vital part of the program.Work is supervised by an attending, and final interpretation of studies is always reviewed with an attending.
Rotation schedule
The fellow's schedule includes rotation through various modalities – radiography, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. Rotation in angiography/ interventional radiology is arranged at an affiliated institution.
The fellow attends a week-long research course at the beginning of the year, as well as a 2-day course for PALS certification.
Three weeks are allotted for work on a research project. The fellow may attend a national radiologic society meeting or conference, usually the Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Radiology, held in the spring.
Four weeks are allowed for vacation time.
Conferences
- Didactic conferences
- Daily resident case conference (Mon-Thurs), by attending radiologists
- Friday presentations of selected topics, by rotating radiology residents, and medical students
- Pediatric Grand Rounds (weekly)
- City-Wide Conference (monthly), didactic lecture by attendings
- Radiology Journal Club (monthly)
Clinical conferences
- Pediatric team rounds (daily)
- Pediatric ICU rounds (daily)
- NICU rounds (daily)
- GI / Surgery Case Conference (biweekly)
- Orthopedics Case Conference (weekly)
- Neuroradiology Case Conference (weekly)
- Radiology / Surgery / Pathology Case Conference (biweekly)
- Radiology / Urology / Nephrology Case Conference (biweekly)
- Radiology / ER Conference (monthly)
Research
The fellow is expected to develop a research project over the year, leading to presentation at a national meeting and publication. Typically, the fellow collaborates with an attending on a clinical project.
Teaching
The fellow assists in teaching and supervision of radiology residents who rotate through the department from other institutions. Fellow conducts teaching sessions for medical students and pediatric residents taking elective in pediatric radiology. The fellow has ample opportunity to teach residents and students on daily x-ray rounds. The fellow is expected to prepare a full didactic lecture for pediatric and radiology residents during the year
Night call
Every third night.
July – Sept: In house
Oct – Jun: Backup call for resident
At home with teleradiology available
Application
Applicants should be ABR-eligible or –certified.
Contact:
Eleanor Smergel, MD
Dirrector, Radiology Training Program
Department of Radiology
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
Erie Avenue at Front Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: 215-427-5233
Fax: 215-427-4378
E-mail: eleanor.smergel@drexel.edu |