Program Overview

Introduction to the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Fellowship

The Molecular Imaging and Therapy Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center is a one-year program that provides clinical and academic training to physicians. This training enables them to become independent subspecialty consultants in advanced molecular imaging and radioligand therapy.

Why UT Southwestern

UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, with a distinguished faculty that includes Nobel Prize winners, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators. The medical center is the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth, second in Texas, and among the top 50 programs nationally in six clinical specialty areas.

Program Overview

The program accepts 2 fellows per academic year and is based at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with clinical service at Parkland Health & Hospital System, Clements University Hospital, the PET Center at Clements Advanced Imaging Center, Children's Health, and the Dallas VA Medical Center. The program provides 13 rotations a year.

Mission

The mission of the Molecular Imaging and Therapy program is to provide outstanding educational opportunities to fellows through innovative teaching, clinical training, and exposure to research, quality, and leadership initiatives. This enables trainees to become outstanding providers and leaders in the field of molecular imaging and therapy.

Program Aims

• Educate physicians aspiring to specialize in world-class diagnostic nuclear medicine
• Train physicians for expertise in current and emerging innovative treatment of patients using therapeutic nuclear medicine
• Provide training opportunities in the setting of a large academic medical center with three tertiary care hospitals that serve a diverse population of adult and pediatric patients
• Foster research participation through exposure to cutting-edge technologies

Program Highlights

• Fellows rotate through Parkland Memorial Hospital, Clements University Hospital, the PET/CT Center, Children's Health Dallas, and Dallas VA Medical Center
• A high-volume clinical experience offers immense learning opportunities, with more than 16,000 nuclear medicine studies performed annually
• Fellows participate in FDA-approved radionuclide therapies for benign and malignant thyroid disease, somatostatin receptor-positive tumors, bone pain palliation, neuroendocrine tumors, and prostate cancer
• Fellowship training is provided by nine nuclear medicine faculty, with three faculty dual-trained in nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology, five faculty in nuclear medicine, and one faculty in diagnostic radiology
• Additional faculty include five nuclear cardiologists, a pediatric radiologist, and a clinical physicist

Facilities and Equipment

Clinical equipment at Clements University Hospital and Parkland Health & Hospital System includes:

• Two clinical PET/CTs and one research PET/CT
• Nine SPECT/CTs
• Two dedicated cardiac SPECT cameras

Conferences

Nuclear Medicine residency and fellowship conferences are held from 7:30 am to 8:30 am on weekdays throughout the year and include didactic lectures, case-based presentations, and journal clubs. Residents also participate in and present at monthly clinical protocol meetings, research meetings, and quarterly quality assurance presentations.

Research Opportunities

Intellectual vibrancy and technological innovation are core values of the Nuclear Medicine Division and the Department of Radiology. These values are developed through research and collaborative efforts of the clinical faculty, medical physics, and research faculty. Dedicated research rotations are included in the Nuclear Medicine Residency program and are highly encouraged. Pilot project funds and dedicated research time are provided to those who wish to pursue an academic career.

Salaries and Benefits

Hospital stipends are set annually and are competitive nationally with those of other teaching programs. Most Radiology Fellows are compensated at a PGY 6 level. Comprehensive benefits, including low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance, are available to contracted house staff.

Requirements

• Candidates must be ABR/ABNM certified or eligible
• Candidates must be eligible for a Physician-In-Training (PIT) in the state of Texas prior to beginning their fellowship

Application Process

The program provides two one-year fellowship positions annually. Information regarding the application process can be found on the main Fellowships page.

International Medical Graduates

For questions regarding International Medical Graduates, please refer to the fellowships page.

Leadership

Asha Kandathil, M.D., serves as the Program Director.

Verification of Graduate Medical Education Training

Residents are required to engage in scholarly activity as part of their training in an ACGME-accredited program. Results must be published or presented at institutional, local, regional, or national meetings. Residents also complete a quality improvement project annually.