Neuroradiology Fellowship

Message from the Program Director

Anousheh Sayah, MD

Director, Neuroradiology Fellowship Program

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 two-year program 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 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.

Group photo of Neuroradiology Fellowship

DC Metro Area

Centered at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (GUH), the program also provides services at the NIH Clinical Center (NIHCC) and the Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC). MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is an academic radiology department that strives to be at the forefront of clinical care, research and academics. Building on the rich history of Georgetown University, the Department of Radiology continues to pursue excellence in diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology and teaching.

In addition, Washington, D.C., is a unique place to practice medicine. MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in our nation’s capital. Georgetown’s location offers visitors views of the Potomac river and downtown Washington, D.C. Close public transportation allows for quick access to all that the city offers.

Building Medical Excellence

We are in the midst of building a brand-new hospital at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.

Training Experience

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
  • Spinal nerve blocks and epidural steroid injections
  • Discograms
  • Vertebroplasty
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Spinal bone and disc biopsies
  • MRI (fMRI, spectroscopy, diffusion, and other advanced applications) and CT
  • Carotid doppler and neonatal head ultrasound
  • Nuclear brain scans, SPECT, and PET

Equipment

Our equipment currently includes 3 CT scanners and 3 MRI scanners, all on the Siemens Platform.  Our CT scanners currently include a dual-energy scanner and a procedural scanner with CT fluoroscopic capability.  Our MRI machines include a 1.5T Aera, 1.5T Sola, and 3.0T Verio.  We have a dedicated neuroangiography suite which includes a biplane Siemens unit.  We have a brand-new fluoroscopy suite dedicated for lumbar punctures and myelography

Educational Program

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.

Below is a lecture on degenerative disc disease given by our chief of service, Dr. Frank Berkowitz. He has other such lectures on the following YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/fberkowitz/videos

Program Faculty

Georgetown Neuroradiologists

Ann Kim Jay, MD

Division Chief

Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency

Anousheh Sayah, MD

Program Director, Neuroradiology Fellowship

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

Attending Physician

Georgetown Interventional Neuroradiologists

Michael F. McCullough, MD

Andrew Stemer, MD

Curriculum and 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

Two-year Program Option

  • There is also an optional two-year program. The curriculum during the second year of fellowship is flexible and non-ACGME accredited, and as 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

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
  • Spinal nerve blocks and epidural steroid injections
  • Discograms
  • Vertebroplasty
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Spinal bone and disc biopsies

Cross sectional imaging of head, head & neck, spine, including MRI (fMRI, spectroscopy, diffusion, and other advanced applications) and CT

Carotid doppler and neonatal head ultrasound

Nuclear brain scans, SPECT, and PET

Case load 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

Rotations Outside MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

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

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 on 1 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 sized photo

We usually interview for the Neuroradiology fellowship positions from January to March. Applications are pulled on December 1st of each year. 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.

Further Information

Please contact the Radiology Academic Coordinator:

Charlene Nebel
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