Departments and Divisions
GENERAL DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Part of the mission of general diagnostic radiology at Albany Medical Center is to provide cutting edge education. Our success is reflected in the fellowship appointments secured by recent graduates. Training in a tertiary care referral center, the residents at AMC are exposed to a wide and balanced array of pathology. Didactic and hands on instruction in fluoroscopic technique as well as interventional procedures cultivate the resident's diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Responsibilities grow appropriately as skills and confidence build.
Residents receive a balanced training experience, rotating for a month at a time through Musculoskeletal, Mammography, Chest, GI/GU, Pediatrics, Nuclear Medicine, Body CT, Ultrasound, Neuroradiology and Interventional Radiology. Third year residents spend six weeks at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C.
MUSCULOSKELETAL
This is an active service, employing CT, MRI, and plain film studies. Residents perform arthrograms and joint aspirations under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. An affiliation between AMC and a large community-based orthopedic group has resulted in increased case material available for teaching in this section. Residents gain additional experience in an outpatient setting at the Bone and Joint Center.
MAMMOGRAPHY
Screening and diagnostic mammograms are the main focus of this rotation. Ultrasound is available for immediate correlation when needed. Tissue biopsy and tumor localization is performed by residents, supervised by attendings. A new ABBI unit is in place for use when indicated. Mammography has recently been relocated to South Clinical Campus, a newly renovated outpatient facility within walking distance of AMC.
CHEST
Headed by Dr. Donald Killam, the chest section is one of the pearls of AMC. Dr. Killam has won multiple teaching awards from the residents. His enthusiasm and breadth of knowledge, as well as extensive case material, make this an excellent rotation. A wide range of medical and surgical cases are seen daily in this section.
PEDIATRICS
The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center is the only dedicated pediatric referral center in the region. The hospital includes active pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, multiple surgical subspecialty patients, and a wide variety of medical problems. From this inpatient base, as well as a large outpatient service, the pediatric radiology section sees a diverse range of pathology. In addition to plain film interpretation, the radiology resident is schooled in the unique demands of pediatric fluoroscopy, as well as ultrasound, CT and MRI as applied to pediatric disorders.
EMERGENCY RADIOLOGY
As a level 1 trauma center and the only academic health center servicing the 25 counties of eastern New York and western New England, Albany Medical Center's Emergency Department is a considerable asset to the residency training program. Conducting over 32,000 radiological studies per year, it is a rich source of plain film experience as well as CT training. The FUJI computerized radiology system is now utilized in the Emergency Department.
In addition to the array of plain film studies, the resident on call is responsible for emergent planning and interpretation of body and neuro CT, neuro MRI and emergency diagnostic and therapeutic fluoroscopic procedures. In addition, ultrasound is actively used for evaluation of a wide variety of medical, surgical and gynecological problems, as well as screening of abdominal trauma patients for emergent surgery.
The resident is challenged rigorously, but in a controlled fashion, and is given the opportunity to grow. Attending faculty are immediately available overnight when needed. First year residents are paired with a more senior resident while on call. This 24 hour coverage at a level one trauma center helps to develop invaluable diagnostic skills and decision making capabilities in each resident.
BODY IMAGING
Residency training in Body Imaging includes extensive "hands-on" experience in several imaging modalities, including ultrasound, body CT, body MRI and GI/GU procedures. The department operates two 1.5 Tesla GE Signa MR systems, three helical CT scanners (two GE CT/I and one GE Light Speed), and five ultrasound units, including two Acuson Sequoia systems and an AEGIS ultrasound imaging network. With the introduction of the new CT technology, our residents will be exposed to new modalities such as virtual endoscopy and virtual colonoscopy.
NEURORADIOLOGY
The neuroradiology service collaborates daily with many referring neurologists and neurosurgeons. Residents play an active role in screening of cases for CT and MRI studies during on-call hours as well as monthly rotations. The service utilizes 3 CT scanners, one of which is housed in the Emergency Department, as well as two GE Signa 1.5 Tesla MRI units. Senior residents assist in neuroangiography cases when on this rotation.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
The Section of Nuclear Medicine consists of two physicians who are board certified in nuclear medicine and subspecialty certified in nuclear cardiology. The section provides a full range of services including nuclear cardiology, stress testing, pediatric imaging and monoclonal/peptide imaging. The section has an active consultation service for radionuclide therapy and provides teleradiology interpretation for off site imaging in four states. The equipment consists of three single head SPECT cameras and one dual head SPECT camera. All equipment is digital and linked to a mini-PACS system. In the residency program, nuclear medicine provides training in nuclear physics, computers, teleradiology and digital imaging.
VASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
The Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology consists of four fellowship-trained attendings, two nurse-practitioners and one fellows. The volume and diversity of procedures performed within this division allows our trainees to receive a hands on educational experience that will prepare them for board examinations and provide a foundation for making career decisions. Residents rotating on this service interact closely with fellows and play an active role in the clinical management of patients. In addition, residents are encouraged to actively participate in the daily procedures with the level of procedural responsibility increasing throughout the residency. During the months on this service, residents will obtain experience in diagnostic and interventional vascular procedures (such as angioplasty, stent placement, thrombolysis, and thrombectomy procedures), uterine fibroid embolization, venous access, genitourinary procedures, hepatobiliary procedures, and dialysis access management. A comprehensive lecture series, reading list and teaching file are available for residents as they prepare for examinations.
