Information for Prospective Residents

Prospective resident applicants are encouraged to apply to the MD Anderson Imaging Physics Residency Program through the AAPM Medical Physics Residency Application Program (MP-RAP).  Alternatively, applicants can also apply directly to the program by contacting the Program Manager for additional information on the process. The former method is preferred.

The selection process for the MD Anderson Imaging Physics Residency Program is largely governed by the Admissions and Recruitment Committee (ARC). As described in the Application Procedure section, the program prefers to utilize the MP-RAP system where applicants identify desired programs for application. For the Hybrid Fellowship, the ideal applicants have completed a Ph.D. graduate program or will complete a Ph.D. graduate program prior to starting the residency program in July of the application year. In addition, the program seeks applicants with strong academic achievement appropriate with experience. At this time, applicants seeking Visa support will not be considered as the institution currently doesn’t provide support for clinical training programs. From the list of applicants, the ARC identifies the top candidates based on academic achievement and basic imaging physics knowledge. Individuals are invited for interviews with the Department Chair, ARC members, potential research mentors, and current residents. During the interview, invited applicants will also be asked to provide a presentation on their scientific work. All interviewers provide feedback through an established evaluation system. Additional input from both applicants and potential research mentors is solicited to ensure that there is a possible match in interest to support research effort during the training program. All feedback from evaluations and matching with a potential research mentor are considered to create the rank list.

The program supports a total of 7 resident appointments with recruitment of 2 and 3 positions in alternating years. In the instance where a position isn’t filled through the match, applicants that didn’t match with a program will be considered. The Program may elect to not participate in the Match. In this instance, a similar procedure will be followed for evaluation and recruitment of residency candidates. 

When participating in the Match, an intent to offer letter will be sent to the matched candidate(s) within the time frame required by the Match rules. Otherwise, the candidate will be notified at least 30 days prior to the start date. The preferred start date is July 1, but other dates may be considered with reasonable justification if requested by the candidate. The candidate must have completed the graduate program and coursework, as required by the CAMPEP standards, before enrolling in the residency program. Once the candidate accepts the offer, a recommendation for an educational appointment will be submitted to the Chief of Education & Training at the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office for institutional approval.

Our program administration will work with each candidate through the appointment process, which requires successful submission of the following documents : (1) Application Form, (2) Personal and Criminal Background Check Form, (3) Institutional Immunization Compliance Form, (4) Proof of Selective Service Registration Form, (5) Curriculum Vitae, (6) Credential Evaluation (Foreign Equivalency), (7) Letter of Good Standing, (8) Letters of Recommendation (three), (9) Certificate of Completion for Graduate Degree, (10) Official Transcript of Highest Degree, and (11) Signed Appointment Letter. In addition, the appointment is contingent upon obtaining a temporary license to practice medical physics from the State of Texas.

An F-1 student who is able to present evidence of a valid F-1 Employment Authorization Document and I-20 to confirm field of study relates to OPT may be eligible to be cleared to participate in Residency program for the validity of F-1 OPT and if applicable F-1 STEM OPT.

MD Anderson is committed to encouraging good health and staying true to our mission to end cancer. Please be advised that MD Anderson has instituted a tobacco-free hiring process as part of its efforts to achieve these goals. If you are offered an appointment at MD Anderson, you will be subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Screen for tobacco compounds in compliance with applicable state laws. If you do not pass the urine drug screening which includes testing for tobacco compounds, you cannot be appointed at MD Anderson. Should you fail to meet this contingency, MD Anderson will withdraw your offer of appointment for the academic year. You may reapply for the following academic year, but there are no guarantees that you will be offered a position as many of our programs are already filled for several years out.

Residents entering the program shall have a strong foundation in basic physics. This shall be demonstrated either by an undergraduate or graduate degree in physics, or by a degree in an engineering discipline or another of the physical sciences and with coursework that is the equivalent of a minor in physics (i.e., one that includes at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses that would be required for a physics major).

In addition, residents must either 1) have graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited M.S. or Ph.D. graduate program, or 2) possess a Ph.D. in physics or related discipline and have completed a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program, or 3) possess a Ph.D. in physics or related discipline and have satisfactorily completed courses equivalent to those in a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program, as determined by the CAMPEP Graduate Education Program Review Committee (GEPRC).

The program gives higher preference to candidates graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited graduate program with a M.S. or a Ph.D. degree. However, other candidates who fulfill the above-mentioned requirements are also encouraged to apply. Starting from 2017, the program puts higher priority on recruiting candidates for the hybrid pathway. A Ph.D. degree is required for admission to the hybrid fellowship program.

The didactic requirements for entering the program shall be completed prior to the enrollment in the residency, except for up to two remedial courses, which may be taken during the residency without extending the duration of the residency program for residents with Ph.D. degree. Our program has not admitted residents with deficiencies in the didactic requirements. If the program conditionally admits applicants with deficiencies in their academic background, the remedial education of such residents will be identified, and notification will be sent to the applicants prior to admission. Courses used for remediation must have been assessed and approved by CAMPEP.

The program consists of two years of full-time clinical training, with progressively increasing responsibilities under the supervision of qualified medical physicists. Residents rotate through each modality twice. By the end of the second rotation, residents are expected to practice independently in each subject field under appropriate supervision. 

The hybrid pathway includes two years of full-time equivalent (FTE) clinical training plus one-year FTE research, resulting in a three-year total program. This is implemented by using a continuous effort model where each 1-month rotation period is extended to 1.5 months that include two weeks of time dedicated for research. Hybrid fellows are considered full-time residents during the entire three years.

The program follows the ABR Residency Leave Policy for training requirement for initial certification. The requirement states that "Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, residents will be considered eligible for Initial Certification without an extension of training with "Time Off" that does not exceed an average of eight weeks (40 workdays) per academic year over the duration of the residency." Details of the Policy can be found at the ABR website.  In addition, Institutional and Program Policies and Procedures will be applied for each specific type of Time Off, for example, vacation, medical leave, academic leave, and others.

The program offers a competitive salary that is comparable to our standard GME level starting from PGY2. All residents are provided with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, vacation, and sick leave. For professional development, the department supports residents' expenses for society dues, book allowance, fees for temporary license renewal, and conference attendance.