Program Overview

Medical Imaging Physics Residency Program

The Medical Imaging Physics Residency Program in the Department of Radiology at UT Southwestern includes two years of full-time training in diagnostic imaging medical physics that emphasizes clinical excellence and academic career development. As an integral part of the Medical Physics team, residents interact with staff physicists, physicians, nurses, radiation therapists, and biomedical engineers on a daily basis as they are trained to provide safe, effective patient care, and to function independently.

Why UT Southwestern

The Medical Physics faculty provide clinical service and consultation at three major hospitals in Dallas, as well as multiple outpatient clinics throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In addition to teaching clinical fellows and Diagnostic Radiology residents, faculty members also make meaningful contributions to the research mission of the university. As one of the world's foremost research institutions, UT Southwestern has an outstanding international reputation for life-changing research that has led to some of the most important discoveries of our generation.

Our Mission

The objective of the Medical Physics Residency program is to empower clinical diagnostic medical physics residents to advance the field of Radiology; therefore, our mission is to train exceptionally qualified diagnostic medical physicists.

Program Aims

• Provide comprehensive clinical training and experience in Radiological Imaging physics
• Prepare residents to function independently
• Foster research participation through exposure to cutting-edge technologies

The program provides two residency positions annually and consists of a 24-month term that begins on July 1. The program is based at UT Southwestern's south campus. Training takes place at Parkland Health & Hospital System, Clements University Hospital, and Children's Health, in addition to their associated clinics and satellite facilities.

Faculty

The faculty includes:

• Timothy Blackburn, Ph.D., Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Imaging, Fluoroscopy, and Radiography
• Xinhui Duan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in CT, Interventional Radiology/Cardiac Cath Imaging
• Rebecca Grabarkewitz, M.Sc., Radiation Safety Officer, with primary clinical responsibility in Radiation Safety
• Jeffrey Guild, Ph.D., Professor and Assistant Section Chief, with primary clinical responsibilities in Interventional Radiology, CT, Informatics, and PHHS Site Supervision
• Nima Kasraie, Ph.D., M.S., Associate Professor, with primary clinical responsibility in Nuclear Medicine and PET
• Jeannie Kwon, M.D., Professor and Chief Radiology Officer, Children's Health, with primary clinical responsibility in Children's Health Site Supervision
• Roderick McColl, Ph.D., Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in MRI and Informatics
• Mi-Ae Park, Ph.D., Associate Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in Nuclear Medicine and PET, Ultrasound, and Mammography
• Liqiang Ren, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in CT, mammography, and Fluoroscopy
• Zhiyue 'Jerry' Wang, Ph.D., Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in MRI and Pediatric Imaging, and Research Lab
• Kuan Zhang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, with primary clinical responsibility in CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography, Fluoroscopy, and Radiography
• Yue Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, with primary clinical responsibilities in Radiography and Fluoroscopy

Program Highlights

In addition to completing the process of ABR certification, graduates learn to perform other aspects of an academic imaging physicist's responsibilities, including teaching, research, radiation safety, and administration. The training curriculum is designed to train the resident for a career in a hospital-based environment as a full-time member of the staff or faculty.

Residents must fulfill six basic requirements to complete the residency program:

1. Successful completion of all 10 clinical rotations and clinical special procedures. The rotation schedule includes all aspects of clinical training described in the CAMPEP standards in a 2-year period.
2. Completion of 24 months of clinical training within the residency program.
3. Completion of two oral examinations, one after each year.
4. Participation in educational conferences, lectures, and meetings that take place regularly within the Department of Radiology.
5. Residents must complete 11 ethics/professionalism modules and view one presentation regarding leadership offered online through the AAPM website.
6. Residents are required to teach a minimum of four oral presentations per year.

Facilities and Equipment

Residents are expected to practice and improve their presentation and communication skills by participating in AAPM, RSNA, ISMRM, SPR, or SNMMI conferences. They will also be expected to participate in or attend the professional committee meetings at these events.

Conferences

Residents are expected to practice and improve their presentation and communication skills by participating in AAPM, RSNA, ISMRM, SPR, or SNMMI conferences. They will also be expected to participate in or attend the professional committee meetings at these events.

Research Opportunities

All faculty members participate in one or more research projects, presentations, or publications per year, and are active in professional societies and meetings. Clinical research projects may be assigned to residents as they become available. These projects are clinical in nature and enhance clinical training.

Salaries and Benefits

The stipend for Medical Physics residents is derived from the Dallas County Parkland Medical Center salary scale for medical residents. The amount depends on the year of residency training.

• PGY 1: $70,101
• PGY 2: $72,672

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health coverage at no cost to the resident
• Low-rate automatic eligibility disability coverage
• Malpractice and a basic life insurance policy are provided
• Time for professional development
• Professional career training
• Professional allowance (discretionary account) to support travel and other professional needs

Application Process

To apply to the Medical Imaging Physics Residency Program, you must have a doctoral Ph.D. degree in medical physics from a CAMPEP-accredited graduate program or a Ph.D. degree in physics (or related field) with completion of a CAMPEP-accredited Certificate Program in Medical Physics. A valid license from the Texas Medical Board (TMB) is also required to practice equipment performance evaluation under supervision.

Leadership

• Mi-Ae Park, Ph.D., Program Director
• Liqiang Ren, Ph.D., Associate Program Director

Verification of Graduate Medical Education Training

Request Form available upon inquiry.

Academic Year Statistics

The following is a table providing information on the program: | Academic Year | Number of Applicants | # Offered | # Enrolled | # Graduated | Destination of Graduates | Clinical | Industry | Academic | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2022 | 20 | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | | 2023 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | | 2024 | 14 | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | | 2025 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |