Medical Students
Welcome to the Department of Radiology Medical Student Education hub! You’ll find information on how radiology is integrated across all three phases of the ForWard curriculum as well as other resources for how to learn more and get involved.
Mission Statement
In modern medicine, the discipline of Radiology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Our goal is to educate medical students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the field of Radiology with an emphasis on providing better understanding of available imaging modalities, appropriate and evidence-based use of imaging, and the role of Radiology in the care of patients through a collegial educational environment and direct interaction with world class faculty and access to advanced imaging equipment.
Leadership
Katie Ricks, MS
Assistant Director of Education
Margaret Zulich
Health Professions
Education Coordinator
Radiology Toolkit for Medical Students
We have compiled below a list of resources and information that we hope you’ll find helpful as you explore Radiology!
UW–Madison Radiology Conferences
Students are encouraged to attend conferences offered by the Department of Radiology in-person or virtually. Full conference list can be found here.
Applying to Radiology
We encourage all students who are considering Radiology to reach out to our Medical Student Education Coordinator Margaret Zulich (MZulich@uwhealth.org) to set up a meeting with our Medical Student Education Co-Directors and our Assistant Director of Education for advising.
Please consult the UW SMPH Specialty Exploration and Advising Canvas to find the Specialty Information Sheets for Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology. Resources are available online from the Association of Academic Radiology and the American College of Radiology.
The ForWard Curriculum
The ForWard Curriculum is an innovative model and vision for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Radiology is integrated throughout all three phases of the curriculum. Specialized radiology coursework and goals for each phase are outlined in more detail below.
Phase 1 Curriculum
Goals
- Reinforce anatomy learned during traditional lectures and dissections
- Familiarize students with various imaging modalities’ strengths and weaknesses
Radiology is integrated within all Phase 1 blocks through dissection and interactive large-group sessions. Our faculty have created many asynchronous Enduring Learning Objects, including recorded lectures and interactive modules, to provide requisite background information for synchronous learning activities. The students participate in the Integrated Radiology and Anatomy sessions, where they apply their knowledge of anatomy to identify normal structures and signs of pathology.
Phase 2 Curriculum
Goals
- Establish image ordering within the clinical context, with an emphasis on the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria
- Connect clinical presentations of disease signs and symptoms with manifestation of disease pathology in imaging with can’t-miss diagnoses
Seminars: Radiology content is presented during seminar series, each of which complements the other course topics within the curriculum of that block. Seminars are presented in a case-based format by a faculty facilitator who is a content expert in the field. The Acute Care block culminates in student case presentations in which students apply their understanding of imaging appropriateness and evidence-based medicine to a patient’s imaging that they saw while on clinical service.
Rotations: Students can choose to complete a two-week elective rotation with the Interventional Radiology service as part of the Surgical and Procedural Care block.
Phase 2 Radiology Assistant Block Leaders
Phase 3 Curriculum
Goals
- Build familiarity with the life cycle of radiology studies, reporting workflow, and patient experiences
- Use evidence-based recommendations to make informed choices for imaging examinations for patients
- Demonstrate the collaborative relationship that exists between the radiology department and referring providers
We offer a number of Phase 3 selective and elective courses to meet students’ needs. For more information on dates and availability, please visit OASIS.
Phase 3 Directors
Visiting Students
For more information about our Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology Visiting Student Rotations, please consult the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities catalog.
Criteria for Visiting Student Applications
The School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reviews applications for visiting students meeting all of the following criteria:
- The student is a U.S. citizen, Canadian citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- The student is currently enrolled in an LCME or AOA accredited medical school
- The student is in his/her final year of training at the time they will be rotating in the School of Medicine and Public Health
- The student has received a passing score on USMLE Step 1
There are no exceptions to these criteria.
Additional Criteria for Interventional Radiology (IR) Visiting Students
- Applications are only considered for students planning to apply to IR Residency at University of Wisconsin.
- A letter of interest is required with the application.
- Two and four week rotations are available.
- Visiting rotations are typically scheduled July through October.
- Visiting student applications are considered through the end of August but rotation availability is limited.
Shadowing
Clinical shadowing is available for current medical students enrolled in the School of Medicine and Public Health by working directly with a faculty or trainee sponsor.
For undergraduate students and for those outside of our institution, please work with your shadowing sponsor to complete the sponsorship form (password: VLO2024) through the UW Health Vendor Liaison Office. More information from the VLO can be found here.
Radiology Research Opportunities for Medical Students
The UW Department of Radiology knows the importance of providing medical students opportunities to explore the field of radiology.
Through two programs, the department aims to develop future radiologists and leaders. In addition, there are a variety of Internships, Grants, and Travel Awards through societies like the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Radiology Equity Program for Medical Students
The Department proudly sponsors the Radiology Equity Program for Medical Students as part of our commitment to equity in healthcare. The program provides two students the chance to explore radiology as a specialty, connect with mentors, and engage in a scholarly project. First-year medical students from underrepresented groups in medicine can apply by March for the 8-10 week summer program.
Shapiro Summer Research Program
The Department of Radiology has a longstanding history of research mentorship through the School of Medicine and Public Health Shapiro Summer Research Program. Students who complete their Shapiro project with a radiology faculty mentor or co-mentor are invited to participate in the Radiology Mentoring Program.
Radiology Interest Group
Mission Statement
The mission of the Radiology Interest Group is to educate medical students about the field of radiology, to provide opportunities for medical students to interface with radiology residents and faculty, and to provide avenues and information for students to go into radiology research and/or a radiology residency.
How to Get Involved
Email Jade Anderson, MD (janderson2@uwhealth.org) and Sean Golden, MD (sgolden@uwhealth.org) if you’d like more information.
Phase 1 medical students are encouraged to get involved with student interest groups, including:
