Program Overview

Introduction to the Pediatric Cardiac Radiology Fellowship Program

The Pediatric Cardiac Radiology Fellowship Program at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital is a dedicated training program accredited by the Texas Medical Board. The program consists of one year of training at the PGY-7 level and accepts one fellow per year.

About the Program

The program provides extensive hands-on experience in planning, performance, post-processing, and interpretation of exams. Fellows are active participants in management conferences and the research program, and may present at national and international meetings. The pediatric cardiovascular imaging program at Texas Children's Hospital is one of the largest in North America, performing approximately 1,500 MR and CT studies each year.

Pediatric Cardiac Imaging Program

The cardiac MRI program is a combined program supported by the Department of Radiology and the Section of Pediatric Cardiology. The program features four Philips MR scanners, including one 3-Tesla magnet, and two Ph.D. physicists and an image post-processing specialist. The full spectrum of pediatric cardiovascular MR is performed, including:

• Neonatal imaging
• Complex two-ventricle repair
• All stages of single ventricle repair
• Aortopathy
• Thrombosis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Perfusion and viability

Pediatric Cardiovascular CT Program

The pediatric cardiovascular CT program is based on a volumetric and dynamic approach using a 320-array scanner. Highlights include:

• Coronary anomalies
• Pulmonary perfusion
• Dynamic airway evaluation
• Neonatal imaging
• Preoperative planning for single ventricle repair
• Post-operative imaging

Research Program

The active and established cardiovascular imaging research program focuses on developing reproducible and cost-effective imaging biomarkers for common cardiovascular entities in children. Dedicated research pathways include:

• Adapting MR sequences for free-breathing 3-dimensional acquisition in sedated children
• Adapting CT sequences for low-dose acquisition in unsedated children
• Dynamic contrast enhanced MR angiography
• Advanced 3D image post-processing
• 3D printing

Admissions and Benefits

Applicants must have successfully completed ACGME-accredited radiology residency and pediatric radiology fellowship programs. The application requirements include:

• Baylor House Staff Application
• Current curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• USMLE board scores
• Three letters of reference
• Letter of verification from residency program director

Benefits are provided by Baylor College of Medicine at the PGY-VII salary level, including three weeks of vacation and one week of meeting time per year.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Weekly didactic lectures:
  • Echocardiography conference
  • MRI conference
  • Fetal cardiology conference
  • Fetal multidisciplinary conference
  • Pediatric cardiology fellows' core conference
• Monthly conferences:
  • Quality Improvement Review
• Research: The fellow will perform one to two clinical research projects, with the expectation of submitting an abstract to the Society for Pediatric Radiology annual meeting.

Affiliations

The program has affiliations with leading research and healthcare institutions in and around the Texas Medical Center, providing access to a diverse array of people and resources.