Clinical Fellowship in Breast Imaging
The Department of Radiology of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center offers one fellowship position which is a one-year clinical fellowship. The training program includes experience in all phases of diagnostic and screening mammography in the setting of a busy, nationally known academic medical center.
Program Information
Program Director: Nadja M. Lesko, M.D.
Section Secretary: Kim Cordial
Address: Department of Radiology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088
Telephone: (336) 716-4316
Fax: (336) 716-1278
E-mail: nmlesko@wfubmc.edu (Dr. Lesko)
kcordial@wfubmc.edu (Ms. Cordial)
ACGME Accreditation: No
Clinical Training Offered: Screening and diagnostic mammograms
Breast ultrasound
Breast aspirations
Stereotactic breast biopsies
Ultrasound-guided core needle breast biopsies
Needle localizations of the breast
Lymph node mapping
MR imaging of the breast
OB/GYN ultrasonography
Abdominal/pelvic MR imaging, CT, ultrasonography
Hysterosalpingography
Fallopian tube recanalization
Bone densitometry
Organization of Fellowship
The fellowship is designed to enhance an individual's skills in a multitude of techniques related to breast imaging. Assignment to the clinical rotations includes interpretation of cases, supervision of residents, and performance of procedures. Occasional case conferences for the residents will be the responsibility of the fellow. The fellow also presents the imaging studies at a biweekly multidisciplinary breast cancer conference. When the faculty members are comfortable with the fellow's level of training, the fellow will be responsible for unsupervised interpretation at times, assuming board certification in diagnostic radiology. Some supervision of interpretation and performance of procedures, however, will continue throughout the fellowship.
The case load in breast imaging presents both screening and diagnostic cases, with a large number of patients affected by breast cancer. More than 300 new cases of breast cancer are seen at our Medical Center yearly. An active radiation oncology department provides a substantial case load of patients treated for breast cancer with lumpectomy and radiation. With the plastic surgery referral center, the breast imager is exposed to a significant population of women with breast implants and breast reconstruction. Three oncologic surgeons at our medical center are active in breast cancer surgery.
Obstetrical/GYN ultrasound scanning is done in an off-site outpatient center under the direct supervision of Wake Forest University School of Medicine radiologists. An active gynecologic oncology service provides case material for abdominal/pelvic cross-sectional imaging.
Our relations with the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Oncologic Surgery, Hematology-Oncology, Plastic Surgery, and Pathology are excellent.
The fellow is provided with shared office space and full access to the radiology department's extensive academic support, including computer, secretarial, editorial, photographic, statistical, and advanced computer imaging laboratory. Competitive package of benefits includes paid attendance at a national meeting.
Staffing
One (or sometimes two) radiology residents staff the breast imaging service on a rotating basis, in addition to the fellow. A fellow and a resident staff an outpatient facility at which CT and ultrasound studies are performed. The MR imaging area is staffed by two residents and two fellows for a mix of neuro and body MR imaging.
Faculty
Drs. Rita Freimanis, Nadja Lesko, Johanna Jorizzo,Wendell Myers and Frank Collinson are faculty members in breast imaging. Obstetrical ultrasound is covered primarily by Drs. Jorizzo. Drs. Robert Bechtold, Ray Dyer, John Leyendecker, Michael Oliphant, David Ott, and Ron Zagoria staff the ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging services. Dr. Leon Lenchik oversees bone densitometry.
Application Procedure
We currently are accepting applications for the Breast Imaging Fellowship. Radiology residents who desire to begin a fellowship immediately following the completion of their residency should apply during the fall of their third year of radiology residency. Minimum qualifications for the fellowship include successful completion of a diagnostic radiology residency and ability to obtain a license to practice medicine in North Carolina. A personal interview is required unless there are exceptional circumstances.
A completed application consists of the following:
1. Completed Fellowship Application
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Personal statement or letter of interest explaining career choices and goals
4. Letter of recommendation from radiology residency program director
5. Dean's letter from medical school
6. Two additional letters of recommendation
7. Photograph (optional, for identification)
Completed applications, letters of recommendation, supporting documents, requests for application materials, inquiries concerning interview arrangements, the receipt of materials, and administrative details of the application process should be addressed to Ms. Cordial.