A young female radiologist holding up x-rays.
Radiation oncologists specialize in the treatment of malignant cancer cells through ionizing radiation therapies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for radiation oncologists in 2010 and 2011 is "projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations," while "good job opportunities are expected." As such, there are currently a number of quality radiation oncology residency programs offered throughout the country, many of which have won awards from the National Institutes of Health.
Harvard Radiation Oncology Residency Program
The Harvard Radiation Oncology Residency Program is a result of a merger between Harvard Medical School's residency program with Massachusetts General Hospital and the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy in the Longwood area. Competition for the program is extremely fierce, with most applicants not only possessing doctoral degrees, but also having received academic research grants from top tier organizations in the past. In 2008, only seven applicants were accepted from a pool of over 200. The program typically lasts for about four years. During years one and two, residents rotate through the core clinical services under the expert tutelage of highly experienced faculty. The resident can choose to work from one of four local area medical facilities during this time: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Year three is dedicated to a broad range of research opportunities while year four allows residents to focus on clinical rotations in specialty sub-areas.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department of Radiation Oncology
100 Blossom St., COX 3
Boston, MA 02114
617-724-1160
harvardradonc.org
Johns Hopkins University Residency Program in Radiation Oncology
The four year residency offered through the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine provides use of first rate facilities at the Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center as well as the Johns Hopkins Radiation Oncology Center at Green Spring Station in Lutherville. The first three years of the program are spent in clinical rotations while the fourth year is meant for laboratory work, clinical research or rotations in related specialty areas such as diagnostic imaging or oncologic pathology. Under the supervision of attending staff, residents will focus on gathering the appropriate information from patients, performing physical examinations, reviewing test results and presenting cases to the faculty supervisor. In addition, each resident is expected to be involved with at least one research project during their residency, with travel to regional and national medical societies fully paid for so the resident can present their findings.
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer at Johns Hopkins
Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences
401 N. Broadway, Suite 1440
Baltimore, MD 21231
410-955-6980
radonc.jhmi.edu
University of Rochester Radiation Oncology Residency Program
The Radiation Oncology Residency Program offered through the University of Rochester provides hands-on clinical training under the supervision of both nationally and internationally renowned physicians, all of whom participate in the development and implementation of the program's curriculum. Each resident will be based at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, a 163,000 square foot, comprehensive medical care center that combines patient services, research facilities and educational resources. Over the course of four years, residents will rotate through a number of clinical services that include head and neck, breast, gynecologic, thoracic, pediatric and gastrointestinal oncology, among others. The last year of the program is also reserved for students who wish to engage in elective opportunities, like learning a new type of treatment, performing clinical research or focusing on the treatment of a specific type of cancer. Residents can also choose to further their knowledge in specialty areas such as bone marrow transplantation oncology or stereotactic radiosurgery.
University of Rochester Medical Center
Radiation Oncology Residency Program
601 Elmwood Ave., Box 647
Rochester, NY 14642
585-275-5575
urmc.rochester.edu
Tags: Radiation Oncology, Residency Program, Oncology Residency, Oncology Residency Program, Radiation Oncology Residency, Johns Hopkins