Cardiothoracic Radiology Fellowship Program

The Cardiothoracic Radiology Fellowship program is accepting applications for candidates for 2025 and 2026.

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One year clinical fellowship of post-graduate medical education in cardiothoracic radiology.

Institutions:

The program is based in the Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton and is organized in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Office of Postgraduate Affairs, with funding provided by Medical Imaging Consultants (MIC).

The clinical aspects of the program occur at the University of Alberta Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Responsibilities:

Cardiothoracic Fellowship mentor - Professor Richard Coulden, Chair of Cardiac Imaging
Professor & Chair of Radiology Department - Professor Derek Emery
Structure of clinical rotation:

The clinical rotation is primarily in Cardiac MRI and Cardiothoracic CT with emphasis on cardiac imaging. Observerships are also provided in Echocardiography & Cardiac Nuclear Medicine/PET. Fellows will be expected to take part in one or both of these.

Dedicated research time is available 1 day per week.

Evaluation:

Quarterly via the mentor to the fellowship program director

Resources and Expectations:

Supervision:

Daily supervision will be provided by specialist Cardiothoracic Radiologists & Cardiologists. Radiology staff will be present in the area at all times.

Clinical:

In the University of Alberta Hospital there is a dedicated Cardiac MRI unit (Siemens 1.5T Aera) currently performing 1500 clinical MRI studies a year. A further 400 cardiac MRIs are undertaken at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (Siemens 1.5T Avanto). All aspects of cardiac MR imaging are undertaken including pharmacological stress, congenital heart imaging & pediatric sedation.

Cardiac CT is undertaken in the University of Alberta Hospital on a 128 dual source CT (Siemens Definition Flash) and at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on a 320 slice (Toshiba Aquilion) and a 64 slice dual source (Siemens). Over 1000 cardiac CTs are performed annually across both sites. Thoracic CT experience for the Fellow is provided at the University of Alberta where more than 6000 thoracic CT scans are performed annually. During this part of the rotation, Fellows will undertake a variety of image guided interventions including lung biopsy and pleural drainage.

The University of Alberta Hospital is a quaternary referral centre. It is the major trauma centre for Northwestern Canada and is responsible for the provincial heart & lung transplantation programs. It is also Western Canada's referral centre for pediatric cardiac surgery and ECMO.

Educational Program:

The Fellow is expected to attend weekly clinical rounds and a national/international cardiothoracic meeting during the year. Teaching responsibilities will include regular resident teaching and occasional lectures to technical staff and medical students.

Research Program:

The Fellow will be involved in both the clinical and basic science research programs of the Cardiothoracic Department. Dedicated time, case material, library and technical support are provided.

Specific Objectives:

The Fellowship program has been designed to provide the Fellow with extensive knowledge of Cardiothoracic Radiology with an emphasis on Cardiac CT & MRI.

The Fellow will:

  • Keep a log book and it is anticipated will meet the clinical criteria for level 3 training in Cardiac CT & MRI for the Societies of Cardiovascular MRI (SCMR) and Cardiovascular CT (SCCT).
  • Through exposure to Echocardiography & Cardiac Nuclear Medicine/PET, understand the role of Cardiac CT & MRI relative to other cardiac imaging modalities.
  • Be able to undertake independent practice in a Tertiary Cardiothoracic unit.
Research:

Minimum expectations for research by the Cardiothoracic fellow will be:

  • to start & complete 2 research projects
  • to start & complete 1 audit project
This will result in a minimum of 2 scientific presentations at national/international meetings and publications in peer review journals.

Education:

The fellow will:

  • Receive continuous teaching throughout the clinical rotations with staff present at all times.
  • Make at least 1 presentation at the Department of Radiology Grand Rounds.
  • Present at the Department of Radiology annual Audit & Research Day.
  • Present lectures to a variety of students, residents and departments within the Faculty of Medicine.
  • Undertake regular resident teaching as part of the Cardiothoracic Resident teaching program.
  • Attend the Cardiac MRI Journal Club and present case material on at least one occasion.
  • Attend weekly multi-disciplinary Cardiothoracic rounds.

Application Prerequisites:

  • Applicants should have successfully completed (or be in progression towards) a recognized Radiology postgraduate qualification (FRCPC, FRCR, etc.), as well as Part 2B.

  • Due to CPSA licensing requirements, all physicians practising in Alberta need to be able to communicate clearly with their patients in English. Unless exempt, you need to complete an academic version of an English Language Proficiency (ELP) test within 24 months before submitting your CPSA application.

*The CPSA must be able to verify the test results with the issuing organization. Please see the CPSA website for more information:

https://cpsa.ca/physicians/registration/english-language-proficiency/

Please contact our department for further information regarding the application process.