The MedStar Health - Georgetown University Hospital Fellowship Program in Neuroradiology
Georgetown University’s Neuroradiology Fellowship program offers two pathways for individuals who have successfully completed radiology residency and are interested in fellowship-level training. The primary pathway is a one-year program that is ACGME accredited. The optional second-year is flexible and non-ACGME accredited, as rotations may be tailored to suit each fellow’s interests. Please inform the program director if you are interested in this second-year track.
Two fellows are accepted each year. Training includes all aspects of diagnostic neuroradiology (including pediatrics, functional MRI, spectroscopy, PET, head/neck, angiography, and spine imaging) as well as exposure to interventional neuroangiography, neuropathology, and neurosurgery. Weekly interdisciplinary conferences highlight the clinical interactions. The fellowship assists radiologists in becoming independent, competent contributors to the investigation of neurological disease.
Why train here
Our division prides itself on being able to provide an engaging, scholastically challenging experience in an encouraging surrounding that cultivates learning and professional development. Our goal is to provide a supportive, top quality, comprehensive and adaptable learning experience in all features of neuroradiology, where talented young physicians are inspired to maximize their capabilities.
We focus on a multidisciplinary approach to neuroradiology training. Our holistic approach forces us to teach skills beyond image interpretation and underlines qualities that define a successful radiologist, those of which include: communication, compassion, translation of imaging findings to patient management, acceptance of feedback to improve professional development, and evidence of self-learning.
Fellows are trained in the performance and interpretation of all aspects of neuroradiology, including:
- Diagnostic angiography
- Endovascular therapies (stroke, vascular anomalies, tumor embolizations)
- Lumbar puncture and Myelography
- CT and US guided biopsies, including head and neck
- Spinal nerve blocks and epidural steroid injections
- Vertebroplasty and
- Kyphoplasty
- Spinal bone and disc biopsies
- MRI (fMRI, spectroscopy, diffusion, and other advanced applications) and CT
- Nuclear brain scans, SPECT, and PET
- Diamox-challenge CT perfusion
- CSF leak myelography and patching
Curriculum
The neuroradiology curriculum follows topics that are provided by the American Society of Neuroradiology and is continually updated in tandem with the Society’s guidelines. These guidelines can be found at: https://www.asnr.org/education/neuroradiology-curricula-for-trainees/. Our curriculum includes multiple weekly didactic lectures including case conferences and topic-based presentations. There are numerous multidisciplinary conferences with our colleagues in neurosurgery, neurology, ENT, radiation oncology, endocrinology, pediatrics, and orthopedics.
A lecture on degenerative disc disease given by our past chief of service, Dr. Frank Berkowitz. He has other such lectures on the following YouTube channel.
Rotations
One-year Program
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (GUH) – 10 months
- NIH Clinical Center (NIHCC) – 1 month
- Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) – 1 month
Second-year Program Option
- There is also an optional second-year fellowship. The curriculum during this year is flexible and non-ACGME accredited, and rotations may be tailored to suit each fellow’s interests. Please inform the program director if you are interested in this track.
Fellow Conferences
- Neuroradiology Didactic Conference – weekly
- Neuroradiology Case Conference – weekly
- Neuroradiology Journal Club – monthly
Multidisciplinary Conferences
- Neuroscience Grand Rounds
- Neurosurgical Tumor Board
- ENT Tumor Board
- Endocrinology Conference
- Neurovascular Conference
- Epilepsy Conference
- Spine Conference
- Skull Base Conference
- Stroke Conference
- Pediatric Neuro Conference
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Rotations
Invasive procedures:
- Diagnostic angiography
- Endovascular therapies (stroke, vascular anomalies, tumor embolizations)
- Lumbar puncture and myelography
- CT and US guided biopsies, notably head and neck
- Spinal nerve blocks and epidural steroid injections
- Discograms
- Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
- Spinal bone and disc biopsies
- Epidural patching
Cross sectional imaging of head, head & neck, spine, including MRI (fMRI, spectroscopy, diffusion, Diamox-challenge perfusion, and other advanced applications) and CT
Nuclear brain scans, SPECT, and PET
Caseload at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital:
- Endovascular/Diagnostic Angio Procedures (Interventional): 300/year
- MRI: 8,000/year
- CT: 10,500/year
- Myelograms: 100/year
- Lumbar punctures: 275/year
NIH Clinical Center (NIH) Rotation
- Fellows are given NIH staff privileges
- Work focused on MRI and CT, with opportunities to watch procedures
- Cases from a variety of NIH clinics, including Phakomatoses and Undiagnosed Diseases clinics
- Opportunities to get involved with research projects being performed at the Center
Children’s National Medical Center
- Submergence in a subspecialized pediatric imaging service of a Tertiary Care Center
- Work focused on MRI and CT, with opportunities to observe procedures
Our People
-
Anousheh Sayah, MD
Program Director, Neuroradiology Fellowship
Associate Professor of Radiology -
Earn-Chun Christabel Lee, MD
Associate Professor of Radiology
-
Erini V. Makariou, MD
Professor of Radiology
-
Rashmi Thakkar, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology
-
Kastubh Yadwadkar, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology
-
Michael F. McCullough, MD
Director of Interventional Neuroradiology
-
Andrew Stemer, MD
Director of Stroke Neurology
Application Information
Program Requirements
A candidate for the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Neuroradiology Fellowship Program must show:
- Completion of a radiology residency in an accredited United States Training program
- Board eligibility or certification by the American Board of Radiology
- Foreign graduates need to have completed a radiology residency and are required to hold an ECFMG certification (step 1, 2 and 3, plus language test). Please note that MedStar Georgetown University Hospital only sponsors J1 visas.
We accept applications through ERAS at the start of each interview season, with applications pulled in early December. ERAS applications, and any application sent outside of ERAS for off cycle purposes, must include:
- ERAS application
- Three letters of recommendation
- USMLE board scores
- Certification of medical school graduation
- Copy of medical school transcript
- Copy of medical school dean’s letter
- Current CV
- Personal statement
- Passport size photo
We usually interview for the Neuroradiology fellowship positions from January to March. Applications are pulled in early December of each year as the match opens. The NRMP (National Resident Matching Program) can be contacted at: www.nrmp.org or by e-mail: nrmp@aamc.org.
Applications that arrive after the match deadline are considered separately and are considered outside the matching program.
Fellowship Positions
Two fellowship positions are available each year.
Contact us
Please contact the Radiology Academic Coordinator:
Kaitlin Bressler
Department of Radiology
Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road, NW
CG201
Washington, DC 20007-2113
Phone: 202-444-3450
Fax: 202-444-4899
Email: RadiologyEducation@medstar.net