Choosing the Radiation Oncology School in US

The field of radiation oncology relies on a highly skilled and specialized workforce, from radiation oncologists and medical physicists to dosimetrists and radiation therapists. Around the globe, various educational institutions are dedicated to preparing these vital experts. This article delves into the various radiation oncology schools and training programs worldwide. It explores how they equip the next generation to deliver life-saving therapy and drive advancements in the ongoing fight against cancer.

In the United States, radiation oncology residency programs are highly competitive, typically four-year postgraduate training programs following a preliminary (PGY-1) year. These programs, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), are designed to transform medical graduates into skilled radiation oncologists capable of delivering advanced cancer care.

Johns Hopkins Radiation Oncology Residency Program

The Johns Hopkins Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a robust four-year residency program to cultivate future leaders. This comprehensive program immerses its 16 residents in all cutting-edge radiotherapy techniques, including proton therapy, MRI-guided gynecologic brachytherapy, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, and radiopharmaceutical administration.

Residents train within an exceptional multidisciplinary oncology environment at a world-renowned academic hospital, gaining vast experience across academic, community, and laboratory settings. A unique aspect of the program is the opportunity for residents to dedicate a whole year to research, supported by dedicated mentorship and a strong track record of significant achievements, including Plenary presentations at ASTRO and numerous peer-reviewed publications.

The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical rotations, covering the full spectrum of radiation management from simulation to follow-up care. During the first three years, rotations are in all subspecialty areas. Residents also have a rigorous academic schedule, including didactic lectures, weekly physics and radiobiology courses, and a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum.

Dr. K. Ranh Voong (Program Director) and Dr. Akila Viswanathan (Department Director) provide leadership. The program adheres strictly to ACGME work hour regulations and offers ample leave. Prospective residents apply through the NRMP and enter as PGY-2 after completing an internship. Interviews are typically held in December and January.

Read More On John’s Hopkins Official Website

City of Hope Radiation Oncology Residency Program

The City of Hope Radiation Oncology Residency Program is a highly selective four-year ACGME-accredited program (commencing in the PGY-2 year) with a primary goal of training outstanding radiation oncologists, particularly those aspiring to careers in academic radiation oncology. Preference is given to applicants demonstrating a strong aptitude for academic medicine, research, teaching, and an interest in applying cutting-edge translational technologies.

Residents receive comprehensive training in clinical radiation oncology, treatment planning, radiation physics, and radiobiology, enabling them to provide complete patient care. They assume progressively increasing responsibilities, working in close collaboration with attending physicians to manage a diverse patient population from initial evaluation through post-treatment follow-up.

As an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and a charter member of the NCCN, City of Hope offers a rich and advanced training environment. Its state-of-the-art facilities include multiple treatment vaults with cutting-edge linear accelerators (RadiXact, Tomotherapy, TrueBeam, TrueBeam STX) and advanced imaging suites, with plans for even newer technologies like PET/CT guided Reflexion and Varian Ethos. The program also boasts extensive radiation biology labs (4-5000 sq ft) and an established radioimmunotherapy program with dedicated labs and a radiopharmacy, providing unique research opportunities.

A significant component of the curriculum is a required 6-11 month research rotation, with the aim for residents to publish at least two peer-reviewed manuscripts. Formal didactic lectures cover a broad spectrum of topics, including radiation biology, physics, clinical radiation oncology, clinical trial design, biostatistics, and various imaging modalities. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary training through interactions with established fellowship programs in other oncologic specialties, clinical conferences, and tumor boards.

The program accepts one to two residents annually and participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) via ERAS. Successful completion of a PGY-1 clinical year in the United States is a prerequisite for entry.

Read More On City of Hope’s Official Website

University of Kentucky Radiation Medicine Residency Program

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine offers a comprehensive four-year residency program in Radiation Medicine, beginning in the PGY-2 year, focused on training highly skilled radiation oncologists. The program’s mission is to equip residents with expertise in advanced clinical treatment techniques, a strong understanding of evidence-based medicine, and core principles of cancer therapy.

Residents gain extensive clinical experience through a Mentor: Apprentice model, with each typically three-month rotation assigned to a specific disease site and attending physician. This provides proficiency in a wide range of techniques, including external beam irradiation, gamma knife, and high/low-dose rate brachytherapy. Clinical training is further enhanced by twice-weekly morning chart rounds, resident teaching conferences, journal clubs, invited lectures, and numerous multi-disciplinary tumor boards, fostering crucial inter-professional communication skills. Residents also learn to interact with a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals, from primary care physicians to social workers, enhancing their understanding of systems-based practice.

The curriculum is structured across four years:

• PGY-2: Builds foundational knowledge in anatomy, oncology principles, radiobiology, physics, and treatment techniques.
• PGY-3: Develops proficiency in radiation techniques and application of oncologic knowledge.
• PGY-4: Integrates evidence-based practice, with opportunities for up to a full year of research (clinical, translational, international, or basic science) and elective pursuits.
• PGY-5: Focuses on advanced clinical care and career development.

Didactic education includes dedicated radiobiology, physics, and dosimetry courses, along with regular teaching conferences, journal clubs, and participation in the RAPHEX Physics Exam and Mock Oral Boards. Residents also attend disease-site specific tumor boards, visiting professorships, and conferences.

The program accepts residents through the NRMP match, with applications processed via ERAS. A successful PGY-1 year is required prior to entry. Applications are accepted until October 31st, with interview invitations typically sent in mid-November. Mandatory application documents include a CV, transcript, MSPE, at least three letters of recommendation, USMLE transcript, and a personal statement.

Read More On University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Official Website

OHSU Radiation Oncology Residency Program

The Department of Radiation Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), located in the state-of-the-art Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, offers a comprehensive four-year ACGME-accredited Radiation Oncology Residency Program. The program is dedicated to cultivating exceptional radiation oncologists for careers in clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy, emphasizing a diverse, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that prioritizes resident well-being.

OHSU’s department occupies 17,000 square feet and serves the entire OHSU campus, including Doernbecher Pediatric Hospital, the VA Portland Health Care System, and various satellite cancer centers, providing broad exposure to a diverse patient population and a wide range of malignancies. The department is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including two Elekta Versa HD, one Varian TrueBeam (for Linac-based SRS), and one Tomotherapy HD (for HDR Brachytherapy and LDR Eye Plaque Program). Advanced imaging capabilities like kV-kV, cone beam CT, Calypso localization, BrainLab ExacTrac fluoroscopy, active breathing control, and Siemens BigBore CT and 4D PET CT scanners provide extensive experience in modern treatment planning. The robust brachytherapy program features HDR Iridium-192, an I-125 eye plaque program, and interstitial brachytherapy.

Training encompasses supervised clinical experiences, faculty and resident-led lectures, multidisciplinary learning, and resident-led research, with progressive responsibility throughout the program. Core instruction in radiation biology and physics forms a strong scientific foundation.

The program’s leadership includes Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh (Program Director), with other faculty members like Dr. Aaron Grossberg and Dr. Joshua Walker co-directing the radiation biology curriculum, and Dr. Arthur Hung serving as Interim Chair. The faculty comprises diverse experts with advanced degrees and training from top institutions.

All applications must be submitted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), followed by registration with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). A complete ERAS application includes a thorough CV, strong letters of recommendation, a compelling personal statement, and the Medical School Performance Evaluation. Applicants must meet Oregon medical licensure eligibility, and international medical graduates require ECFMG Certification.

The selection process has no minimum board scores or grades, but applicants must be graduates of an approved medical school with post-internship training and have passed USMLE Step 1 at the time of application. Incoming residents must have passed both USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 and Step 2 exams before starting training. The program does not offer a PGY-1 preliminary year; applicants must secure an ACGME-approved clinical internship separately.

Read More On OHSU’s Official Website

Indiana University School of Medicine Radiation Oncology Residency Program

The Indiana University School of Medicine Radiation Oncology Residency program provides comprehensive training for both adult and pediatric patients requiring radiation therapy. This program, founded in 1977, is the only ACGME-accredited radiation oncology residency in Indiana, and training primarily occurs at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and major tertiary referral hospital.

Under the direction of Program Director Jordan Holmes, MD, and Associate Program Director Kevin Shiue, MD, residents serve a diverse patient population and become proficient in all aspects of contemporary radiation oncology. This includes advanced techniques such as SBRT, Gamma Knife and LINAC-based stereotactic radiosurgery, and various brachytherapy methods (prostate LDR/HDR, gynecologic implants, breast), alongside standard external-beam radiation therapy. The program benefits from accomplished clinical, medical physics, and radiobiologist faculty engaged in resident training and mentorship.

The clinical curriculum spans 40 months of radiation oncology rotations and eight months of electives, with the potential to request up to 12 months of elective/research time. Clinical rotations focus on subsite-specific services, typically lasting two months. Residents dedicate six elective months to research and two to clinical electives. All radiation oncology residents are required to write and execute a mentored prospective clinical or translational protocol, with development beginning in the PGY-2 year and patient accrual typically in the PGY-3 year. A dedicated protocol development week, modeled after the AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research, further supports this research endeavor.

Resident education is multi-faceted, incorporating resident-led case conferences, formal radiation physics and biology courses, monthly joint conferences with medical oncology fellows, and quarterly journal clubs. All resident education is protected from clinical responsibilities. The majority of rotations are at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, with senior residents also rotating at a community satellite clinic at IU Health West Hospital.

The program typically offers two positions per year: one categorical (associated with a preliminary year in Internal Medicine at IU School of Medicine) and one advanced. Positions are offered exclusively through ERAS. Applicants must have anticipated or successful completion of an MD, MD/PhD, or DO degree, and international graduates must obtain ECFMG certification before applying.

Read More on Indiana University School of Medicine’s Official Website

Written By Aren Karapetyan, MD