Medical physics clinical residency program

Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Health System and the Department of Radiation Oncology at VCU Massey Cancer Center offer a two-year medical physics residency program. The program is designed for individuals with an M.S. or Ph.D. in medical physics, physics, engineering or a closely related field, who are interested in a career as a clinical medical physicist in radiation oncology. The objective of the program is to provide clinical training in all aspects of radiation oncology physics and prepare the trainee for board certification. While residents are encouraged to participate in clinical research throughout their residency, the two years of the program are primarily clinical. The residency program is currently structured to meet the requirements for accreditation and has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP).

Clinical training

The residents will take clinical rotations through the following subspecialty areas:

• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Imaging for planning and treatment verification
• Brachytherapy, including low-dose-rate (LDR), high-dose-rate (HDR) and intravascular brachytherapy
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
• Total skin electrons (TSE) and total body irradiation (TBI)
• Computer-assisted treatment planning
• Dosimetry and radiation measurement
• Linear accelerator specification, acceptance testing and quality assurance
• Quality control of the treatment process
• Radiation safety

In addition, the clinical training includes work on department projects carried out under the supervision of the medical physics faculty.

Didactic training

Clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups, journal clubs and one-on-one instruction are all an integral part of the program. Students will participate in the following:

• Medical and health physics journal club
• Physics section clinical updates
• Medical physics conferences
• Treatment planning conferences
• Assigned readings
• Morning clinical conferences

The environment and large patient volume at VCU Health System prepares residents for all aspects of the clinical medical physics practice in an academic environment. During this residency, students will learn about the career of a medical physicist.

Number of residents in program

The Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency will have two residents in the program at any given time. The goal is to have one first-year resident and one second-year resident in the program each year.

Faculty

The faculty involved in the Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Residency include Ph.D. and M.S. medical physicists who are recognized leaders in the field of IMRT, brachytherapy, imaging, planning and plan optimization, all areas of clinical practice, basic and applied research, education and professional activities, as demonstrated through leadership in national organizations, the certification and peer-review process and educational involvement.

Advisers and mentors

Residents are assigned a faculty adviser and numerous mentors throughout the residency.

Positions

There is one position in the Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Residency Program each year on a competitive basis.

Qualifications

To apply, a candidate must have an M.S. or Ph.D. in medical physics, physics, engineering or a closely related field.

Highlights

• Training takes place in an internationally recognized center of excellence in research, education and patient care. VCU Massey Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated clinical cancer center (basic and clinical research), one of only 67 NCI-designated centers in the United States and one of only two in Virginia. It is central Virginia's most important resource for cancer research, clinical trials and treatment, and a priceless storehouse of scientific knowledge, technical expertise and practical experience.

• Residents and faculty work closely, in a one-to-one fashion, on all clinical services. However, residents are encouraged to progressively take on responsibilities, thus becoming independent by the program's end.

Application

To apply to the Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency, please download this application form  and submit:

• a completed application form
• curriculum vitae
• a personal statement of intent
• official college, graduate school and medical school transcripts
• three letters of recommendation

Inquiries

For an application form or more information about the Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency, please contact:

• Nesrin Dogan, Ph.D.
  professor and director
  Clinical Medical Physics and Residency Program
  Department of Radiation Oncology
  VCU Massey Cancer Center
  401 College St.
  Richmond, VA 23298-0058
  (804) 628-0981
  ndogan@vcu.edu