Breast Imaging & Intervention Fellowship

The Breast Imaging and Intervention Section offers the 12-month Breast Imaging and Intervention Fellowship program. Fellows rotate at the University Hospital Breast Center and the new Eastpark Medical Center Breast Center (opening fall 2024). Training is provided in all breast imaging modalities, interventional procedures, breast anatomy and pathology, regulatory requirements, education, and research. Fellows are well-prepared for breast imaging positions in academic or private practice.

Fellows are fully integrated into the section and work closely with the faculty interpreting imaging, performing procedures, consulting with clinical providers, and assisting with the multidisciplinary care and evaluation of patients with breast cancer.

In addition to clinical training, fellows participate in breast imaging research and quality improvement projects during their professorship. Academic time is available to support research and other academic activities.

Requirements

Graduates of medical schools in the U.S.A. must be:

• Board certified or eligible by the American Board of Radiology by the start of the fellowship.
• Eligible to obtain a Wisconsin Medical License before the start of the fellowship.
  Learn more here.

Application Process

Our fellowship program participates in the Breast Imaging Fellowship Match Program sponsored by the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) and managed by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). In addition, the fellowship adheres to the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) policies for the application and interview process. Please refer to their site for details and changes from year-to-year.

To apply, please complete the following:

1. Register with the NRMP, which costs $75.
2. Compile the following materials:
   • Curriculum Vitae
   • Personal Statement
   • Completed SBI Universal Fellowship Application (Word doc)
   • USMLE scores Step 1, 2, 3 (copy acceptable)
   • Three letters of recommendation including one from your residency program director
3. Email or mail the materials to Program Director Roberta Strigel, MD and Fellowship Coordinator Dillon Sheehan using the following contact information:
   • Email
     • Roberta Strigel, MD, Program Director, rstrigel@uwhealth.org 
     • Dillon Sheehan, Fellowship Coordinator, hsheehan2@uwhealth.org
   • Mail
     • Roberta Strigel, MD
       c/o Dillon Sheehan
       UW Department of Radiology MC 3252
       600 Highland Avenue
       Madison, WI 53792-3252

Download SBI Application

Clinical Experience

• Digital screening and diagnostic mammography (all units with digital breast tomosynthesis)
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including abbreviated breast MRI
• Interventional procedures, including image-guided wire and non-wire localizations, as well as stereotactic, ultrasound-guided, and MRI-guided core needle biopsies
• Epidemiology, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of breast cancer and radiology-pathology correlation

Research

• UW Department of Radiology’s renowned research programs and services
• Breast imaging data warehouse available to facilitate projects that are appropriate in scope for a year-long fellowship
• Variety of faculty interests, including:
  • Translational clinical breast imaging with Amy Fowler, MD, PhD in the Fowler Research Group
  • Informatics and artificial intelligence (AI) methods with Elizabeth Burnside, MD
  • Medical decision-making
  • Management of high-risk lesions of the breast
  • Optimization of current and development of novel breast MRI techniques
  • Radiology and anatomy education methods
  • Educational games and simulation
  • Screening of patients at high risk for breast cancer
• Presenting at a national meeting is encouraged

Conferences

As an essential part of training, participation in the wide variety of clinical and educational conferences is required. These include:

• Weekly multidisciplinary breast care conference where patient management is discussed in collaboration with our colleagues in breast surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, and genetics
• Weekly breast imaging and pathology conference, a rad-path correlation conference with participation from radiology, breast pathology, and clinicians.
• Weekly lectures as part of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Consortium
• MRI physics lectures on basic and advanced MRI techniques, as part of the MRI physics curriculum.
• Breast Imaging didactic and case conferences given to the residents by the breast imaging faculty.

In addition, fellows are expected to:

• Present one resident didactic or case conference to the residents
• If possible, present research papers at national conferences, which are supported with funds and time by the department

Equipment & Software

• State-of-the-art equipment including digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasound, breast MRI and interventions
• Epic Systems is the electronic medical record and the dictation system.

Evaluation

• The fellowship program director and Breast Imaging section chief meet with each fellow quarterly to discuss progress
• Fellows evaluate the program at the end of the year

Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity

• UW Department of Radiology’s commitment to a culture of inclusion and respect among our patients, faculty, staff, and trainees
• Mentoring, community work and other opportunities to promote an environment of equity

As a fellow, you’ll be a key member of the Breast Imaging and Intervention section, which is a nationally recognized team of radiologists who provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary breast care for patients.

The section offers imaging services at two diagnostic/interventional Breast Centers and six additional dedicated screening facilities.  The Breast Centers are both designated American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence (BICOE) and there is state-of-the-art imaging equipment across all facilities. The section also provides screening and diagnostic services at regional facilities throughout Southern Wisconsin.