Raghu Ramakrishnaiah, M.B.B.S., Program Director
Lacie Covington, Program Coordinator
Overview
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Radiology offers a one-year ACGME-accredited pediatric radiology fellowship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), one of the finest and largest children’s hospitals in the nation. At the successful completion of the year, the fellow will be able to function as an expert diagnostician, consultant, and clinician. We accept one fellow per year.
ACH is a 316–bed tertiary care regional referral center and teaching hospital. ACH has the state’s only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care units. ACH has a dedicated stroke program and provides 24/7 care for pediatric patients suffering from any cerebrovascular disorder. The ACH Northwest campus has inpatient beds, emergency care, surgical services, diagnostic services and clinical space. Angel One provides critical care transport and is one of a few programs in the country capable of transporting patients who require ECMO. The hospitals share a single PACS, providing the fellow exposure to a wider spectrum of PR imaging.
All imaging modalities are performed at ACH, including fluoroscopy, ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, routine radiography, CT, MRI (including MR angiography and spectroscopy), and vascular and interventional radiology. Rotations through the different areas of the department provide in-depth clinical experience in all of these areas. Training is focused on the requisite knowledge, techniques, and interpersonal skills to image infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in both acute and chronic conditions in a safe environment. Flexibility in rotations is tailored to the fellow’s interests.
Fellows participate in all activities of the division and attend clinical conferences with pediatric colleagues. All studies come through one large reading room for interpretation, enabling the radiologists to confer and work as a team. This experience is most like private practice as radiologists cover multiple areas.
Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) is a pediatric research center on the ACH campus. ACRI research aims are to better treat and prevent illnesses and diseases in children. Ample research opportunities are available, with the expectation the fellow will complete one academic project during the course of the fellowship. Our MRI physicist has an excellent research background and fellows can make use of his expertise when designing and conducting research projects.
Our teaching faculty includes ABR-certified fellowship trained pediatric radiologists representing all subspecialties. All teaching faculty have obtained or are eligible for the Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ). A new learning center provides office space, computer access, and PACS for study, lecture preparation, and imaging consultation.
Application Process
As there is currently no match process for the fellowship, applications are accepted at any time. Qualified candidates should submit a completed Universal application form with a current CV, a personal statement of career goals and professional plans, and a USMLE transcript (all scores).
We require three letters of recommendation from current and former clinical faculty, recently dated and on institutional letterhead. One letter must be from your residency program director. If you have been in private practice for five or more years, however, non-partner physician letters are acceptable. Letters must be mailed to the department. Letters sent by fax or email will not be considered.
Applications may be submitted by mail, fax, or email to the Program Coordinator. Complete applications are reviewed in an ongoing fashion and it is our policy to make interview decisions as quickly as possible. Candidates who are selected for an interview will notified by email and scheduled for an on-campus visit.
Ms. Lacie Covington
4301 W. Markham, #556
Little Rock, AR 72205
Fax: 501-686-5370
Phone: 501-686–6912
Email: LFCovington@uams.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the program accept applications from IMGs?
We seek the most qualified fellows, regardless of country of education. Because of the large number of applications and the difficulty of evaluating the records of IMGs, we can offer interviews only to graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada who have a currently valid ECFMG certificate or a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in Arkansas and meet the ACGME eligibility requirements for the program.
Qualified applicants must be able to carry out all duties required by the training program, proficiently read printed and cursive English, write (print) English text, understand spoken English on conversational and medical topics, and speak English on conversational and medical topics, and reside continuously in the United States for the length of training.
Do I need a medical license?
You will not need a medical license while in the program, but the College of Medicine will not admit a fellow that the Arkansas State Medical Board (ASMB) will not consider for an Arkansas license. (See Arkansas Medical Practices Act 17-95-401 through 17-95-407 on Licensing and Regulation 14 of the Regulations of the Arkansas State Medical Board.).
Is the start date flexible?
No. Educational appointments to the fellowship program are for a term of one year, July 1 through June 30. If you are an IMG, you must be able to enter the country at least two weeks prior to the start of the fellowship in order to adequately process your appointment and complete all documentation required for you to begin the fellowship program on the approved start date.
Is the fellowship available to foreign applicants without accredited training?
The program may accept an IMG applicant who does not satisfy the ACGME eligibility requirements but can provides evidence of exceptional qualifications. These qualifications must be reviewed and approved by our Graduate Medical Education Committee. An applicant who wants to be considered exceptionally qualified should have documented evidence of the following in his/her CV and personal statement:
- Completion of a radiology residency outside the continental United States that was not accredited by the ACGME, AOA, ACGME-I, RCPSC or CFPC
- Clinical excellence, in comparison to peers, throughout training
- Participation in additional clinical or research training in radiology or pediatric radiology, scholarship in radiology or pediatric radiology, and/or leadership during or after residency.