Diagnostic Radiology Residency

Our diagnostic radiology residency program has a long-standing testimony to our commitment to academic excellence and achievement from our current residents and our graduates. We are fully accredited by the ACGME and have received ESIR (Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology) designation. Robust training experience with case volume being among the top in the state, with breadth of pathology. 

Didactics and Case Conferences

Resident conferences are held throughout the academic year, with an average of eight hours of conferences per week. The core curriculum includes physics, didactic subspecialty lectures, and interactive case conferences. The core curriculum for each section covers all aspects of diagnostic and interventional radiology on a two-year rotating curriculum. Daily didactic lectures and/or interactive conferences are provided with protected time. Dedicated physics lectures are provided by department physicists and offer the necessary foundation to understand the underlying imaging science for each diagnostic modality and prepare residents for the physics, regulatory, and quality questions they will encounter for their certifying exam and in practice. Our medical physics faculty also teaches a curriculum that incorporates NRC requirements so that all residents qualify for authorized user status (see the American Board of Radiology’s website for details regarding NRC authorized user status). In addition to clinical radiology and physics lectures, dedicated lectures or course series are provided in: the radiology report, business concepts, quality, and patient safety and ethics as they pertain to the practice of radiology. A resident-run book club is held weekly to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of diagnostic radiology to first-year residents. Nationally and internationally renowned visiting professors are provided one to two times per month. Their lectures are typically followed by three to four hours of case conferences. 

Additionally, residents are encouraged to attend and participate in a variety of divisional, departmental, and interdepartmental conferences in conjunction with their clinical counterparts, including various specialty tumor boards. Upper-level residents are encouraged to present at these conferences to better prepare them for the rigors of fellowship. Journal Club is held bimonthly with faculty member facilitators to discuss interesting articles on a variety of topics, including practice reviewing medical literature. Residents also have a resident-run interdisciplinary conference where they teach other clinical residents the pathophysiology relating to their patients, normal/abnormal anatomy, and appropriate imaging tests. 

Meetings and Courses

All diagnostic radiology residents attend the 4-week radiologic pathology course at the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) in Silver Spring, MD, during their PGY-4 year, in which registration and up to $3,000 in expenses are paid for by the program.

Additional funds are provided during the resident’s third year to specifically be used for a radiology review course for the ABR Core Exam.

Rotations

Teaching opportunities

In keeping with the tradition of physicians as teachers, residents have many opportunities to teach their colleagues, non-radiology residents, medical students, and patients. The radiology residents teach Michigan State University and other visiting medical students the pertinent radiographic and CT findings (normal and abnormal) and anatomy during their first year. In addition, the residents participate in resident-run interdisciplinary conferences in which they teach the clinical residents their patients’ pathological imaging findings. Opportunities exist for giving more formal didactic lectures to the Transitional Year residents. A capstone presentation on the longitudinal non-interpretive track project is given during the last month of residency as a Radiology Department Grand Rounds, an audience that includes attending physicians, fellow residents, and technologists. 

During residency at Corewell Health in West Michigan, there are ample research opportunities. Our close affiliation with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine allows us to take advantage of the many resources. Our high volume lends itself to abundant opportunities for case reports and/or case series studies. Those who are more academically orientated may join in projects with our faculty, of which many have nationally published articles. Residents are provided protected time throughout residency, including a dedicated block fourth year, to facilitate participation in such projects. 

Residents present their research at major national meetings including RSNA, ARRS, ASNR, and AUR. Residents are also encouraged to present their work at subspecialty meetings. Our program provides financial support for residents to attend any meeting at which the resident is the primary presenter of an oral presentation or educational exhibit.

The scholarly activity support team provides support to Corewell Health - Grand Rapids/Michigan State University residents and faculty in all areas of research and scholarly activity (e.g., quality, educational, surveys). To access more details, including templates (e.g., study protocol, poster), help request forms, and other contact information, visit the Scholarly Activity Support website.

Our program accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We begin accepting applications when ERAS opens each year. Our deadline for completed applications is November 15. See our eligibility requirements.

Application requirements:

• Minimum 3 letters of recommendation, at least one from a radiologist
• Personal statement
• Medical school transcript
• MSPE/Dean’s letter
• USMLE Step 1/COMPLEX Level 1 passing score required  
• USMLE Step 2 CK score
• All applicants must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 Status 

Our program last received continued accreditation on February 5, 2025, from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information on our program, contact the program coordinator.

All visiting medical student applications must be submitted through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities program (formerly known as VSAS). For more information on visiting medical student opportunities, please visit our Visiting Learner page.

Corewell Health in West Michigan provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff, and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.