Residencies

Our residency programs are strong in clinical practice, research, and academics, and we offer residents early exposure to a large and unique array of technology, including:

• Two Varian Halcyon
• Two Varian Ethos
• Two Elekta Unity MR-Linacs
• RefleXion PET-Linac
• Philips Ingenia Ambition X MR simulator
• Xcision GammaPod
• Two Varian TrueBeams
• Two Varian VitalBeams
• Two Elekta Versa HDs
• Two Elekta Gamma Knife Icon
• Accuray CyberKnife M6
• Xstrahl superficial unit
• Two Varian VariSource iX HDR afterloaders
• Two Philips 16-slice Brilliance large-bore 4D CT simulators
• Four VisionRT systems
• Three Active Breathing Coordinator systems
• Brainlab Airo mobile, compact CT-simulator
• Brainlab Exactrac System
• Shielded OR dedicated for HDR brachytherapy and intra-operative HDR procedures. The range of radiation oncology procedures we offer includes: MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy, CT-guided adaptive radiotherapy, PET-guided radiotherapy, IMRT, SRS, SBRT, TBI, TSE, HDR and LDR brachytherapy, as well as cranial and pelvic LDR.

The size and continual growth of our Department gives residents the opportunity to participate in clinical innovation projects and assist in commissioning of new machines, software, and equipment. Our newest expansion is focused on adaptive radiation therapy through new innovative technologies.

Our residents have a unique opportunity to attend our faculty-led training courses, including Gamma Knife and SBRT/SAbR programs, where they'll receive certifications upon successful completion.

We offer a diverse array of brachytherapy and intraoperative radiation therapy training options, which gives residents a distinctive opportunity to learn and master a specialized skill for a wide range of cancers. Our brachytherapy program includes:

• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): High-dose rate (HDR) IORT in our shielded brachytherapy suite and sealed HDR applicator IORT
• Interstitial and intracavitary/intraluminal brachytherapy
  • Both low-dose rate (LDR) and HDR prostate brachytherapy programs, including salvage HDR brachytherapy
  • Intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical and endometrial cancer, and high volume interstitial brachytherapy program for advanced cancers
  • Endoscopic/palliative brachytherapy program for esophageal, biliary, lung, and rectal malignancies
• Ocular brachytherapy
• Intravascular brachytherapy for coronary artery stenosis

Additionally, we offer an advanced procedural program that covers fiducials, spacers, biopsies, and endoscopic procedures, as well as a simulation program that covers LDR and HDR prostate brachytherapy and gynecologic endocavitary brachytherapy.

As one of the top academic medical centers in the country and the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in North Texas, we lead and participate in clinical trials aimed at improving the outcomes of patients with cancer. Our residents have the opportunity to be a part of phase I-III clinical trial design and protocol writing. Our Department enrolls approximately 200 new patients in clinical trials each year.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) list all grants awarded to faculty members (PI or trainees) and the grant allocated through their institution. In FY19, UT Southwestern’s Department of Radiation Oncology ranked 8th out of all other medical school-based programs for its research funding according to the NIH.

Upon graduation, our residents are highly trained in all aspects of radiation therapy, including treatments that originated at UT Southwestern, and, because of strong mentoring by faculty, they leave feeling confident to make decisions on their own.