Interventional Radiology
Assistant Professor of Radiology
jamaal.benjamin@utsouthwestern.edu (Preferred method of contact)
Secondary Contact
Manoj Kathuria, M.D.
Associate Professor, Clerkship Co-Director
Program Director for the Integrated and Interventional Radiology Residencies
manoj.kathuria@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Specialty
Interventional Radiology (IR) originated within diagnostic radiology as an invasive diagnostic subspecialty. IR is now a therapeutic and diagnostic specialty that comprises a wide range of minimally invasive image-guided therapeutic procedures as well as invasive diagnostic imaging. The range of diseases and organs amenable to image-guided therapeutic and diagnostic procedures are extensive and constantly evolving, and include, but are not limited to, diseases and elements of the vascular, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and, the central nervous system. As part of IR practice, IR physicians provide patient evaluation and management relevant to image-guided interventions in collaboration with other physicians or independently. IR procedures have become an integral part of medical care.
Many minimally invasive image-guided procedures performed by IR have supplanted major surgical procedures by either IR physicians educating other medical fields or IR physicians taking on a clinical role.
Answers to Common Questions
- Attributes of a Competitive Student
What factors typically make a student competitive for this specialty?
As with all specialties, doing well with honors in both pre-clinical and clinical rotations, high test scores, and research help to make students competitive for IR. Additionally, shadowing and/or rotating through IR will allow them to demonstrate interest, insight into the specialty, and hands-on ability.
- Research
How important is research experience in your specialty? If important, does it need to be in the specialty itself?
Both clinical and basic science research are important for interventional radiology. The exact topic is less important than showing interest and learning about the field.
- Shadowing
How can students identify opportunities for shadowing?
Email Dr. Benjamin for shadowing opportunities. Opportunities to shadow at both CUH and PHHS.
- Electives
What electives would you recommend to a student who is interested in pursuing your specialty?
Interventional Radiology elective and Diagnostic radiology elective.
Based on your experience, what tips do you have for students to shine on your electives?
Look up cases ahead of time and read about the procedure first. Scrub into cases to get hands-on experience handling the tools of the procedure. Follow up patients clinically after the procedure.
- Away Rotations
Does your specialty recommend doing away rotations?
If you are interested in a specific institution or region, doing away rotations can be helpful. They are opportunities for people there to get to know you, your personality, and your work ethic. If you don’t have a specific region or program in mind, an away rotation would only help if you got a really stellar recommendation letter out of it.
If your specialty recommends doing away rotations, how many “aways” do you recommend?
N/A
If away rotations are necessary, when should they apply and when should they be completed?
Away rotations are best done early in the 4th year, prior to submission of residency applications.
- Interview Timing
Which month do you recommend taking off to interview?
N/A
- Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation are needed to apply to your specialty?
A minimum of three letters is required.
Does your specialty recommend that all letters of recommendation be written by members of your specialty?
No.
If letters can come from other disciplines, do you have a recommendation as to which disciplines are more highly valued?
Procedural specialties are valued but most importantly is the overall strength of the letter.
Does the academic rank of the letter writer matter?
No.
Does your specialty require a letter from the chairman?
No.
