Initiatives for the 21st Century
The Education Committee Seated, left to right: Chief Resident Rita Yeretsian, M.D., Chief Resident Ke Lin, M.D., Bidyut Pramanik, M.D., John Amodio, M.D., Georgeann McGuinness, M.D. (Chair), Sandra Moore, M.D., Karen Mourtzikos, M.D., Wendy Hotson, M.D., Jill Jacobs, M.D. Standing, left to right: Chief Resident Christopher Foresto, M.D., Michael Ambrosino, M.D., Alex Baxter, M.D., Johnny Vlahos, M.D., Elizabeth Hecht, M.D., Linda Moy, M.D. (Absent: Leon Rybak, M.D., Hillel Bryk, M.D., Chief Resident Amit Saindane, M.D.)
Following the didactic lecture, the midday unknown case conference challenges residents to correctly identify radiographic findings and develop appropriate differential diagnoses and management plans. The skills gained while discussing an unknown case in a large group forum are critical to radiology training, as the residents must learn to observe and describe abnormal findings and discuss their significance in a coherent and concise manner. This ability is imperative, as radiologists serve primarily as consultants to other physicians.
Michael Ambrosino, M.D. is a summa cum laude graduate of St. John’s University and earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine in 1982. He joined our staff in 1987, having completed both his residency in Diagnostic Radiology and fellowship in Pediatric Radiology at NYU Medical Center. He was appointed Director of the NYU Medical Center Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program in 2001. Michael is the coauthor of 40 publications, serves on multiple medical school committees, and is a forensic radiology consultant to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York. His research interests include medical education, radiology informatics and PACS, pediatric radiology, and forensic radiology.
Michael is the consummate program director: proactive, concerned, and an enormously effective advocate for education and resident training. His dedication and hard work have been a significant factor in the success of our training program.
Each subspecialty section leads additional teaching conferences. An example of the diversity of such conferences can be seen in the musculoskeletal weekly conference schedule (see page 4). These are supplemented by Departmental Grand Rounds and Research Seminars and Journal Clubs, sponsored by the section hosting the upcoming Grand Rounds speaker and usually featuring articles on related topics. The range of discussion topics includes study design and statistics, as well as the results and conclusions reached by the authors. The intention is to expose the residents to the critical elements of science and study design, as well as radiological advances. Many sections also organize specialty-oriented journal clubs.
RADIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP TRAINING
The NYU Radiology Fellowship Program provides advanced subspecialty training to highly qualified candidates from around the world. The program has undergone significant expansion recently, with additions in the number of fellows accepted to existing programs, and with the creation of new fellowships in “frontier” areas of radiology, such as PET-CT. Currently, the department has 11 fellowship programs, with 30 fellows, and additional expansion is planned for next year. Oversight of the fellows and organization of the fellowship is the responsibility of the Fellowship Director within each individual radiology subsection.
Our highly qualified fellows make significant contributions to the department in terms of clinical workflow, resident and student teaching, conference preparation and delivery, and participation in research. The success of our Fellowship Program is evident in the prestigious positions assumed upon completion of training. A high percentage of our fellows stay in academic radiology; in fact, the most promising of these highly trained individuals are often successfully recruited as faculty to our department.
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
Ultimately the strength, viability, and productivity of an academic department hinges on its ability to recruit, develop, and retain its faculty. Success in these metrics is attributable to an effective faculty development program, a most important component of the Radiology Department’s Education Mission. There is a general manpower shortage in academic radiology, fueled in large part by the lure of relatively larger private practice incomes, but also by the amplification of the clinical workload in academic departments, reflecting both the expansion of the field due to improved technology and increased utilization of, and reliance on, imaging. This is perceived as potentially precluding a satisfying academic career, and decreasing the odds of personal success. Faculty satisfaction and advancement requires a supportive and encouraging environment and requisite infrastructure to ensure achievement of academic goals and interests. Mentors provide the guidance which has become so critical in our rapidly evolving academic milieu.
<< Previous Page
>> Next Page
Page:
1
2
3
4
5