The UC San Diego Department of Radiology features a nationally and internationally recognized faculty specializing in all fields of clinical radiology and radiologic research. Residents collaborate closely with these experts in a supportive, welcoming environment. Fellowship-trained radiologists provide one-on-one training in various subspecialties and modalities across UCSD and affiliates like the VA Medical Center, Rady Children's Hospital, and the Naval Medical Center.
Total ACGME-Approved Residency Spots: 39
Available Per Year: 9-10
Education is a cornerstone of our program, featuring daily noon conferences, weekly subspecialty case conferences, two to three-hour resident mega-conferences, departmental grand rounds, continued quality improvement (CQI) conferences, intensive board reviews, and a comprehensive physics curriculum.
The George Leopold Club, named after a former department Chair and educator, is a cherished tradition where first-year residents learn radiology fundamentals in a small, relaxed group setting.
At UC San Diego, residents also teach by interacting one-on-one with rotating medical students, presenting radiology case conferences to medicine residents, and participating in tumor boards across the hospital.
"The degree of attending expertise combined with their desire to share their knowledge, the breadth and complexity of cases available, and the caring community can't be beat! I would recommend this program to everyone!" — UC San Diego Radiology Alumnus
UC San Diego School of Medicine is consistently one of the top 10 public medical schools for research funding, and the Department of Radiology's mission is to discover and establish novel solutions at the intersection of health care, science, and technology. Diagnostic residents are strongly encouraged to participate in research with funding consideration for presenting at national and international radiology conferences. There are ample opportunities to be involved with clinical or basic science research in any subspecialty- supportive mentors can be found in any area of interest. Monthly resident journal clubs are held to reinforce the importance of evidence-based practice.
Camaraderie, community, and leadership are at the heart of our program. Department-sponsored resident social gatherings are held monthly, with additional events frequently hosted by generous faculty and friends. Residents also participate in the free medical student-run clinic, offering imaging services to the underserved and hands-on experience for medical students. Most residents are involved in multiple leadership positions within the residency program, the radiology department, UC San Diego Health, and state and national medical and radiological committees.
The residency wellness committee is a small group of junior resident leaders who are responsible for incorporating well-being topics into the standard didactic curriculum, coordinating residency recruitment efforts, as well as organizing periodic social and volunteer events to support camaraderie among residents and faculty. The committee advocates for efforts that garner a sense of community and promote a healthy work-life balance for all trainees. Throughout the year, residents also go on outings to local restaurants, hiking trails, and a variety of additional interdisciplinary activities to build connections with other house staff and faculty.
At UCSD Radiology, we believe that meaningful outreach is vital to advancing health and science. We are committed to building inclusive partnerships that connect our department with communities near and far.
By engaging with diverse populations and sharing knowledge, we foster an environment where collaboration grows, education deepens, and access to radiology improves. Our outreach efforts aim to reduce health disparities, broaden access to care, and inspire global impact through service, innovation, and connection.
Applicants must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must be in their fourth year of medical school or a graduate of an American or Canadian medical school. In addition, the applicant must either be eligible for licensure or hold a valid medical license in the State of California. International Medical Graduates will be considered on an individual basis. UCSD accepts ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas. Please note that H-1B visas are not available to trainees at our institution.
This residency program requires an ACGME-approved non-radiology clinical internship prior to beginning radiology training. The application process for an internship is entirely separate from this radiology residency application process. Your internship does not need to be at UC San Diego Medical Center. Most of our residents complete a Preliminary Medicine, Preliminary Surgery, or Transitional Year Internship.
Application Deadline: October 7, 2024
Virtual Interview Dates:
Our Selection Committee will review all applications, including the Medical Student Performance Evaluation Letters (MSPE or Dean's Letter). Please provide a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation, with at least one from a radiologist. Additionally, we are strongly recommending taking step II, in addition to step I. If selected, you will be contacted to schedule a personal interview. We receive over 1000 applications each year and interview approximately 80 applicants annually. All interviews are scheduled during the month of December.
Please do not wait until the deadline to submit your application! We will review applications and extend invitations on a rolling basis.
Supplemental ERAS Application: For the 2024 ERAS® cycle, our program will be collecting and reviewing data from applicants' supplemental ERAS applications. Completion of the standard MyERAS application is a requirement — completion of the supplemental ERAS application is optional. In its 3nd year of use, the supplemental ERAS application is designed to help applicants share more information about themselves and assist our program in finding applicants that fit our program's setting and mission. There is no cost to applicants and participation is optional. The supplemental ERAS application provides: geographic preferences (by division and by urban or rural setting); information about an applicant's most meaningful experiences and other impactful life events, if applicable; and program signals. The supplemental ERAS application will be delivered on a survey platform that is separate from the MyERAS application and must be completed between August 1 and September 16, 2024.
Contact Us
Contact us with questions about our residency and your application: DRinfo@health.ucsd.edu
Where Excellence Meets Experience
The UC San Diego Interventional Radiology Residency Program offers unparalleled clinical training at some of the nation’s top medical institutions. Our diverse clinical sites provide a comprehensive learning environment, exposing residents to a wide range of complex cases and state-of-the-art procedures. This multi-site approach ensures that our trainees gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to excel in interventional radiology and beyond.
This 390-bed hospital has one of two Level I Trauma Centers in the region and the only Regional Burn Center for San Diego and Imperial counties, offering critical emergency and specialized care.
A state-of-the-art medical facility offering advanced surgical, cancer, and cardiovascular care, supported by cutting-edge technology and innovative research programs.
Located near the La Jolla campus, this 350-bed hospital provides exceptional care for veterans and active-duty military while fostering advancements through extensive federally funded research.
The largest pediatric hospital in California and the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in the region, Rady Children’s Hospital delivers top-tier specialized care for children.