Fellowship Details & Requirements

Our GME Office has preliminary eligibility requirements that all prospective trainees must meet before applying for a training program at our institution. In addition to these criteria, our program also has the following requirements:

Trainee must have completed medical school through a recognized and accredited institution (LCME accredited, AOA accredited, WHO recognized, etc.). Trainees must have also completed an ACGME approved (or equivalent) residency training program in Diagnostic Radiology. 

Each application is reviewed by the program director of body imaging with the consultation of other faculty members in the department. Top applicants, chosen based on their credentials and letters of recommendation, are invited for a formal interview.

Interviews will take place over a half day and include participation of staff. Applicants will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and current fellows. The final selection of fellows is made in a series of joint meetings with all staff members.

A sample contract for prospective trainees may be viewed here.

Applications will be accepted for academic year 2026-2027 starting November 1, 2024 (subject to change) and interviews will be completed beginning January 2025 as per the SCARD guidelines.

Required application documents for preliminary review:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE and/or Complex transcript
• Three additional letters of recommendation (one
  from current residency program director)
• Personal statement
• Recent photograph
• Interviews will be required

Additional documents for foreign medical school graduates:

Note: Documents in a language other than English must be submitted with certified translation.

• ECFMG certificate

Additional documentation may be required before a candidate can be appointed.

The goals and objectives of the Body Imaging Fellowship are to:

• To educate trainees in the advanced interpretation of CT, MRI, and Ultrasound examination of the body and in the performance of ultrasound and CT guided procedures.
• To educate trainees in the biology, treatment, and recurrence patterns, of malignant tumors, particularly as they are reflected in body imaging studies.
• To provide an opportunity for academic research using the case material and resources of MD Anderson.

The trainee will spend their time approximately equally divided among the areas of CT, MRI, and ultrasound. In CT and MRI, responsibilities will include protocol design for patient studies and occasional monitoring of studies for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy; however, most of the time will be spent interpreting clinical cases. The studies will all be reviewed by a faculty member but will then be dictated by the fellow. Graded responsibility will be given over the year for the consultation service with clinicians. In addition, expectations for the number of cases prepared and read should increase over the year. 

In ultrasound, the fellow will scan cases after the technologist and will present the findings to the faculty who may or may not re-scan the patient. The findings will then be reviewed and dictated by the fellow. After sufficient training on phantoms and demonstration of acceptable level of proficiency, the fellow will perform ultrasound guided needle biopsies under the direct supervision of the ultrasound faculty. There will also be opportunityan opportunity for the fellow to supervise portable ultrasound studies on the wards. In addition, the fellow may rotate for one month on the vascular/interventional service to plan and perform CT and US guided biopsies and for one month on the PET/CT service. Elective rotations in MRI, musculoskeletal, neuroradiology and thoracic imaging will also be available at MD Anderson and through affiliation with Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist. The fellow has the option to do additional electives both within and outside MD Anderson. 

Didactics

In addition, part of the “academic day” will be spent preparing for a weekly clinical conference  ( i.e., reviewing the films and the patient histories with the assigned faculty to that conference and attending and/or presenting the cases at the conference). The Melanoma, Rectal, Pancreas, Liver and Colorectal conferences have been chosen as the fellows’ responsibility, and the trainees will rotate through all four during the year. 

On-Call

The trainee is responsible for “call” on a rotating basis, but no more frequently than every third or fourth weekend. This involves coverage of all Emergency CT, US exams, CT Head and Neck. All trainees in Diagnostic Radiology will participate in the on-call pool. 

Patient Care Responsibilities

Trainees must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems requiring diagnostic body imaging. 

Trainees must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care. 

Trainees must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning. 

Trainees must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care. 

Trainees must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles. 

Trainees must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals. 

Supervision

Trainees are under continuous direct supervision of the rotation faculty. Abdominal Imaging faculty will provide supervision on all cases interpreted by a trainee. Procedures will initially be closely supervised; however, it is expected that less faculty involvement will be required as the year progresses. 

Scholarly activity (publications, posters, abstracts, etc.), that trainees are expected to produce during fellowship) Our trainees gain the skillsets they need to participate in clinical research and present their findings in an impactful way.

Scholarly Activity:

Corwin MT, Caoili EM, Elsayes KM, Garratt J, Hackett CE, Hudson E, Mohd Z, Navin PJ, Sharbidre K, Shehata M, Wang MX, Wilson MD, Yalon M, Remer EM. Performance of CT With Adrenal-Washout Protocol in Heterogeneous Adrenal Nodules: A Multiinstitutional Study. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2024 May;222(5): e2330769. doi: 10.2214/AJR.23.30769. Epub 2024 May 29. PMID: 38415578. 

Jaime Ivan Haro-Silerio, Andrew Johns, Mohammad Jad Moussa, Mindy Wang, Emily Wang, Craig A. Kovitz, Matthew T Campbell, Eric Jonasch, Amishi Yogesh Shah, Nizar M. Tannir, Outcomes of patients (pts) with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) treated with cabozantinib (CABO) after lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (LEN+PEM). JCO 42, 433-433(2024). DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2024.42.4_suppl.433 

Stanietzky N, Salem AE, Elsayes KM, Rezvani M, Fraivillig K, Salem U, Klimkowski S, Diab M, Naik S, Menias CO, Shaaban AM. Tumor-like conditions that mimic liver tumors. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2024 Jun 14. doi: 10.4274/dir.2024.242826. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38874132. 

Wang MX, Stanietzky J, Chatterjee D, Bhosale P. “Locally invasive serous cystadenoma.” ACR Case in Point. 2023. 

Kiran Malikayil, Raghu Vikram, Achal Sarna, Plasmacytoid Bladder Cancer: Imaging Features, Recurrence, (abstract submitted, article submission pending) 

Nguyen, D, Palmquist, S., Hwang, K., Ma, J., Salem, U., Sun, J., Wang, X., Son, J., Ernst, R., Wei, P., Kaur, H., Stanietzky, N., 3D T2-Weighted Rectal Cancer Imaging Using a 3D Fast Spin Echo Sequence with Deep Learning Reconstruction (Pending submission to Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography (JCAT)) 

Taslicav CA, Bhalde R, Burke SM, Sun J, Virarkar M, Morani AC, Bhosale PR. Improving Quantitative Report turn-around time using Digital Technology for clinical trials. Radiology Society of North America 2023 

Eskildsen, D. Rao, R. Eltaher M. Gao, M. Verma, S. Chapter 7: Pelvis. Radiological Anatomy for Medical Students and Interns. Multimedia interactive course and textbook. ISBN: 978-1-961494-00-8. 

Gao, M. Bhosale, P. Devine, C. Palmquist, S. Javadi, S. Pelvic mass: uterine. Imaging for Seminars in US, CT, and MRI, in progress. 

Chung, H.L., Joiner, J., Ferreira Dalla Pria, H.R. et al. Breast Imaging Considerations in Symptomatic Young, Pregnant, and Lactating Women. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 15, 119–126 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-023-00485-3 

Nguyen T, Bhosale PR, Cassia L, Surabhi V, Javadi S, Milbourne A, Faria SC. Malignancy in pregnancy: Multimodality imaging and treatment. Cancer. 2023 May 15;129(10):1479-1491. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34688. Epub 2023 Mar 12. PMID: 36907983. 

Nguyen T, Gupta A, Bhatt S. Multimodality imaging of renal lymphoma and its mimics. Insights Imaging. 2022 Aug 13;13(1):131. doi: 10.1186/s13244-022-01260-1. PMID: 35962930; PMCID: PMC9375790. 

Thai, K. Nogueras-Gonzalez G, Daoud T, Morani A, and Bhosale, P. Prognostic CT Features and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Surgical Complications.  Society of Abdominal Radiology Annual Meeting, Feb 27-Mar 4, 2022. 

Awiwi MO, Badawy M, Shaaban AM, Menias CO, Horowitz JM, Soliman M, Jensen CT, Gaballah AH, Ibarra-Rovira JJ, Feldman MK, Wang MX, Liu PS, Elsayes KM. Review of uterine fibroids: imaging of typical and atypical features, variants, and mimics with emphasis on workup and FIGO classification. Abdom Radiol (NY). 2022 Jul;47(7):2468-2485. doi: 10.1007/s00261-022-03545-x. Epub 2022 May 13. PMID: 35554629. 

Hailemichael Y, Johnson DH, Abdel-Wahab N, Foo WC, Bentebibel SE, Daher M, Haymaker C, Wani K, Saberian C, Ogata D, Kim ST, Nurieva R, Lazar AJ, Abu-Sbeih H, Fa'ak F, Mathew A, Wang Y, Falohun A, Trinh V, Zobniw C, Spillson C, Burks JK, Awiwi M, Elsayes K, Soto LS, Melendez BD, Davies MA, Wargo J, Curry J, Yee C, Lizee G, Singh S, Sharma P, Allison JP, Hwu P, Ekmekcioglu S, Diab A. Interleukin-6 blockade abrogates immunotherapy toxicity and promotes tumor immunity. Cancer Cell. 2022 May 9;40(5):509-523.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.04.004. Epub 2022 May 9. PMID: 35537412; PMCID: PMC9221568.  

Awiwi MO, Naik S. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-related Intestinal Lymphangiectasia. Radiology. 2022 Nov;305(2):294. doi: 10.1148/radiol.220137. Epub 2022 Jun 7. PMID: 35670716.  

Awiwi MO, Teksöz S, Akbaş S, Gjoni M, Kızılkılıç O. Should we use magnetic resonance imaging for thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology? Imaging Interv. 2022;1(3):52-60. 

Awiwi, M. O., & Vikram, R. (2022). Radiologic Diagnosis and Staging of Bladder Cancer: An Update. Journal of computer assisted tomography, 46(4), 530-544. https://doi.org/10.1097/RCT.0000000000001322 

Awiwi MO, Bagcilar O, Gjoni M, Akbas S. Comparing the diagnostic value of superb microvascular imaging with color and power Doppler in primary and secondary liver tumors. Imaging Interv. 2021;1(2):26-31. 

Awiwi MO, Ramanan RV, Elshikh M, Vikram R. Imaging of gastric carcinoma. part one: diagnosis and staging. J Gastrointest Abdom Radiol. 2021; 4 (03) 194-205  

Awiwi MO, Bas A, Ozcan R, Tekant G. Successful glue embolization of a retroperitoneal lymphatic malformation complicated with refractory chylous ascites: A case report. Imaging Interv. 2021; 1(1): 14-17. 

Awards:  

Wang M. - RSNA Certificate of Merit Award, Gastrointestinal Oncologic Emergencies: A Radiologists’ Guide (2023)  

Other:  

Gao M. Junior editor for various GI chapters of multimedia interactive course and textbook, in progress. 

Gao M. Submitted abstract "Genitourinary Oncologic Emergencies: A Radiologists' Guide" to RSNA 

Department of Abdominal Imaging Faculty 

In addition to gaining unparalleled education and training experience, MD Anderson trainees have access to exceptional resources and benefits to help them build meaningful careers and lead fulfilling lives.

Institutional benefits and support

GME trainees’ salary stipends are updated every year based on the ACGME’s recommendations, and because our trainees are considered workforce members, they also enjoy MD Anderson’s employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement planning, disability insurance and six weeks of parental leave.

Our GME House Staff Senate offers trainees the opportunity to experience a leadership role in a medical field career, and the institution’s Academic Mentoring Council provides avenues to secure tailored academic mentoring from faculty. Our GME trainees benefit from the extensive support offered to our research trainees, too; they are invited to participate in grant application workshops, apply for pilot grants to support their research ideas and receive monetary awards for securing extramural grant funding.

Trainee wellness is also of utmost importance at MD Anderson.

Our trainees have access to MD Anderson’s employee networks, fitness center and other wellness resources provided by the institution. Additionally, our Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), which provides oversight of our accredited programs, regularly assess our trainees’ needs and implements various initiatives, such as providing free call meals and discounted parking to GME House Staff, to address those gaps. The committee even has a subcommittee entirely dedicated to supporting the wellness of our trainees.

Our efforts to ensure a welcoming and supportive education and training experience have been commended nationally. In 2023, the Office of Graduate Medical Education received the DeWitt C. Baldwin, Jr. Award, a prestigious national award that recognizes our institution for its respectful and supportive environment for delivering medical education and patient care.

Beyond MD Anderson

MD Anderson’s location has many benefits, too. Our main campus is nestled inside the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center which boasts about 10 million patient encounters each year. Many of our faculty are involved in interorganizational research collaborations, both within the TMC and across the nation, exposing trainees to groundbreaking advancements in medical care in real time.

Most importantly, the city of Houston is a great place to call home and raise a family. We are one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. More than 145 different languages are spoken across the city, placing us behind only New York and Los Angeles. In fact, about 30% of the city’s population speaks a language other than English at home. And, paychecks here stretch farther than most U.S. metro areas, thanks to our low cost of living.

Visit our Why Houston page to learn more about our city’s affordable housing, fine dining, entertainment scene, nationally renowned museums and other great attributes.