Interventional Radiology Residency Programs

Overview

Cleveland Clinic offers an Interventional Radiology Residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) since September, 2017. Graduates of the program receive dual certification in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology upon successful completion of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) certifying exam. The IR residents will have a similar block schedule as the diagnostic radiology residents during the first three years of training which will be concentrated in diagnostic radiology. The final two years are on IR and IR-related services only.

We offer two distinct pathways to IR certification:

• The Interventional Radiology-Integrated Residency is a five-year training program beginning at the PGY-2 level. Residents will enter the program following the completion of an accredited one-year clinical internship. Although not required, we strongly encourage candidates to complete a surgical internship. The first three years of the program are concentrated in diagnostic radiology, with the final two years focused in interventional radiology.
• The Interventional Radiology-Independent Residency consists of one or two years of training after having completed a Diagnostic Radiology Residency program. Two years of training are required for traditional radiology residency graduates. One year of training is required for those that have graduated from a program that had an Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR) pathway.

Integrated Curriculum

We participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and do not accept applicants outside of the match. Completed applications must be received through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Submission dates

• Applications can be submitted through ERAS starting in September 25, 2024. See the AAMC site for additional details.
• We will begin reviewing applications October 1. Applications received after October 1 may not be considered for interview.

Application requirements and process

• Medical school transcript.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• USMLE scores: Step I & Step II transcripts, COMLEX only will not suffice.
• Personal statement.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Photo.
• ECFMG certification (if applicable).

Additional information

• Cleveland Clinic sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas; please contact Janice Bianco at biancoj@ccf.org with any visa-related questions.
• There is no cut-off date for graduation from medical school.

Other resources

• Society of Interventional Radiology.
• Information on ERAS deadlines.
• Residency benefits information.
• Residency alumni events.

Interviews

Interviews will take place from November through January.

After review of the applications, candidates will be sent formal invitations via the email address supplied through ERAS.

Eligibility to apply

To be considered for admission into the residency program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• A medical degree from one of the following:
• Accredited medical school in the United States or Canada; or
• Accredited college of osteopathic medicine in the United States; or
• Medical school outside of the United States or Canada, along with ECFMG certification.
• An ACGME-accredited preliminary year must be completed prior to entering an interventional or diagnostic residency.

IR-integrated residents will have the same educational experience as the diagnostic radiology residents during the first three years of training. During the last two years, residents are on IR and IR-related services only.

Curriculum

PGY-2 through PGY-4

Rotations on the following services:

• Biopsy.
• Body Imaging (CT/MR/GI).
• Breast Imaging.
• Cardiac Imaging.
• Emergency Department.
• Interventional Radiology.
• Musculoskeletal Radiology.
• Neuroradiology (CT/MR).
• Nuclear Radiology / PET.
• OB Ultrasound.
• Pediatric Imaging.
• Thoracic Imaging.
• Trauma Radiology (MetroHealth Medical Center).
• Ultrasound Imaging.

PGY-5 & PGY-6

Rotations on the following services:

• Breast Imaging.
• ICU.
• Interventional Radiology.
• Neuro Interventional Radiology.
• Pediatric Interventional Radiology.
• Vascular Ultrasound.

Conferences

During the first three years of the program, residents will attend diagnostic radiology morning conferences, Monday-Friday, 7:30 -9:00 AM. Residents are also offered an on-site board review during the third year from March through June.

• In the last two years of the program, residents will have twice monthly interventional radiology conference-based topics.
• Last Wednesday of the block, there will be no conferences. The 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. time will be dedicated to taking your RadExams in-house.

Independent Curriculum

How to apply

We participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and do not accept applicants outside of the match. Completed applications must be received through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

We are not biased towards or against applicants who have completed ESIR or non-ESIR pathways. 

Application requirements and process:

• Medical school transcript and MPSE.
• Three letters of recommendation.
  • ESIR applicants must provide standardized letter from program director letter confirming ESIR status with a block diagram attached showing the residency schedule.
• USMLE scores: Step I and 2 transcripts, COMLEX only will not suffice.
• Personal statement.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Photo.

Submission dates

• Applications can be submitted through ERAS starting in November.

Eligibility to apply

To be considered for admission into the residency program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• A medical degree from one of the following:
• Accredited medical school in the United States or Canada; or
• Accredited college of osteopathic medicine in the United States; or
• Medical school outside of the United States or Canada, along with ECGMG certification
• Completion of an ACGME accredited diagnostic radiology residency program.
• ESIR applicants must upload a letter from their program director verifying acceptance into the ESIR program, a 4 year block diagram, and case log report. 

Interviews

Interviews will take place between January and March.

After review of the applications, candidates will be sent formal invitations via the email address supplied through ERAS. Members of the interview committee may include faculty from both Cleveland Clinic and participating sites.

Additional information

• Cleveland Clinic sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas; please contact Janice Bianco at biancoj@ccf.org with any visa-related questions.
• There is no cut-off date for graduation from medical school.

Other resources

• Society of Interventional Radiology.
• Information on ERAS deadlines.
• The Education Department website thoroughly explains the application process.
• Residency benefits information.
• Residency alumni events.

Integrated Residents

PGY-6

Anouva Kalra-Lall, MD

• Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• PGY-1: Cleveland Clinic – General Surgery

Wei Lue Tong, MD

• University of South Florida College of Medicine
• PGY-1: Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point – General Surgery

PGY-5

Vacant

PGY-4

Rayan Abboud, MD

• Wake Forest University School of Medicine
• PGY-1:University Hospital Regional Hospitals – Transitional year

Ayana Dambaeva, MD

• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• PGY-1: Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle WA – Surgical preliminary year

PGY-3

Isaak Sverdlov, MD

• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New York
• PGY-1: Christ Hospital  – Internal Medicine

PGY-2

Monika Neale, DO

• Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• PGY-1: HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital

Kibo Yoon, MD

• Hanyang University College of Medicine Korea
• PGY-1: Einstein Medical Center Montgomery

Independent Residents

PGY-7

Alireza Paydar, MD

• DR at Namazi Hospital – Iran
• IR at Emam Khomaini Hospital – Iran
• Neuroradiology Fellow UC – Davis Medical Center

PGY-6

Daniel Rubin, DO

• Nova Southeastern University Dr Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
• DR ESIR Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center

Oladunni Akin-Akintayo, MD

• Medical School: Obafemi Awolowo University
• MPH: Emory University
• Nuclear Medicine Residency: Emory University
• DR ESIR Residency: John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital

Patricia Townsend, MD

• University of Kansas School of Medicine
• DR ESIR Residency: University of Kansas

Edwin Chou, MD

• Northeast Ohio Medical University
• DR Residency: Riverside Community Hospital/HCA Healthcare

Program Leadership

Dustin Thompson, MD
Program Director, Interventional Radiology Residency Programs,
Associate Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave., L10
Cleveland, Ohio 44195

Joseph C. Veniero, MD, PhD
Associate Program Director, Interventional Radiology Integrated Program
Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave., L10
Cleveland, Ohio 44195

D. Alex Paratore, DO
Associate Program Director, Interventional Radiology Independent Program
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave., L10
Cleveland, Ohio 44195

Justin Guan, MD
Associate Program Director, Interventional Radiology Integrated Program
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave., L10
Cleveland, Ohio 44195

Rebecca Loew
Program Coordinator
9500 Euclid Ave., L10
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
216.445.4900
loewr@ccf.org

Faculty

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

• Abraham Levitin, MD – Section Head, Interventional Radiology.
• Avi Beck, MD
• Sameer Gadani, MD
• Amanjit Gill, MD
• Justin Guan, MD
• Ram Gurajala, MD
• Ihab Haddadin, MD
• Zahra Karimloo, MD
• Karunakaravel Karuppasamy, MD
• Charles Martin, III, MD
• Hans Michell, MD
• Jennifer Montgomery, MD, PhD
• Sasan Partovi, MD
• D. Alexander Paratore, DO – Associate Program Director, Integrated and Independent Interventional Radiology Residencies
• Linnan Tang, MD, PhD
• Xiaochen Denise Liu, MD
• Dustin Thompson, MD – Program Director, Integrated and Independent Interventional Radiology Residencies
• Joseph Veniero, MD, PhD – Associate Program Director, IR Integrated Program

MetroHealth Medical Center

• Brian Pagano, MD – Site Director, Interventional Radiology Independent Program – MetroHealth
• Michael Markovic, MD – Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency – MetroHealth
• James Scott Williams, MD – Neuro Interventional Radiology - MetroHealth

Cleveland Clinic Florida

• Kevin Stadtlander, MD – Site Director, Interventional Radiology – Weston, FL
• Rodolfo Blandon, MD
• Mark Berman, MD
• Mehul Doshi, MD
• Parag Amin, MD

Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health Center

• Carl Martino, MD – Site Director
• Nathan Frantz, DO
• Abed Ghandour, MD
• Joe Holcomb, MD
• Jose Llerena-Riquelme, MD
• Matt Rainey, MD
• Kristen Kavanagh, MD
• Mark Richards, MD

Akron Children's Hospital

• Janice McDaniel, MD – Site Director

Benefits & Resources

All residents are Cleveland Clinic employees and are eligible for all employee benefits:

Salary

Please refer to the table below for new salary rates, effective May 16, 2024:

As a trainee, you are compensated at the graduate level required to enter the program in which you are starting, regardless of the past training experience you may have acquired. Many trainees are appointed a year or more in advance. Due to the timing of your appointment, the salary as stated in the appointment letter may be incorrect.

Trainees are paid via direct deposit on the 15th and the last working day of the month.

Health insurance

Comprehensive health plan that covers residents and immediate family members (spouse and eligible children).

Maternity/paternity leave

Caregivers eligible for maternity leave (biological mothers) will receive 100% pay for up to 8 consecutive weeks following the birth of a child. Parental leave is for use by all parents to care for and/or bond with their newborn or newly adopted child. Caregivers eligible for parental leave (biological mother or father, or adopting parent) will receive 100% pay for up to 4 consecutive weeks following the birth or adoption of a child. Caregivers eligible for both benefits will receive up to 8 consecutive weeks of maternity leave plus up to 4 consecutive weeks of parental leave — for a total of 12 weeks with 100% pay. Trainees are urged to discuss maternity and parental leave with their program director to determine if they will need to make up time to meet board requirements.

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Confidential assessments, short-term counseling and referral services at no cost to the employee.

Employee wellness program

Various wellness programs, resources, and on-site fitness centers.

Useful benefit links

• Salary & Benefits.
• Cleveland Clinic Employer Assisted Housing Program.

Vacation policy

Residents receive 15 days of vacation and 5 days of personal time off per academic year. During the first 3 years of diagnostic training, the residents also receive one week off around a major holiday.

Educational resources

Incoming residents receive a Cleveland Clinic issued iPhone for the entire length of training. Both Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth campuses have medical libraries and simulation centers. Residents are also given access to an extensive radiology resident library, RadPrimer, e-Anatomy, and StatDx.

The Cleveland Clinic Section of Medical Physics is composed of seven ABR board certified diagnostic physicists, sub-specialized in specific imaging modalities. This group provides a comprehensive physics curriculum for the Radiology Residents, including both didactic and laboratory sessions for hands-on learning. Residents are required to take an annual RAPHEX exam given by the Medical Physics section.

Academic funding

Per academic year:

• Up to $4,000 and four meeting days for qualifying poster or presentations.
• $850 for books, electronic devices, and e-books from the Imaging Institute.
• $1,000 educational allowance from GME.

Other:

• $3,000 for AIRP (Integrated residents only).
• Personalized set of lead to include vest, kilt, and thyroid shield.
• $250 toward lead glasses.

Research & Quality

There are active ongoing research opportunities in all imaging sections and an abundance of research mentors to choose from. Residents are expected to participate in research and dedicated research time is provided to those with active projects. Time away and financial support for presentations at scientific meetings is available from both the GME office and our Imaging Institute, up to four days.

Time is made available for protocol design and implementation, research, data analysis and writing. The residents participate in the Solutions for Value Enhancement (SolVE) curriculum during their training.

For more information

• Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

Clinical Training Sites

Resident training will take place at Cleveland Clinic main campus, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health Center, Akron Children's Hospital, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Hillcrest Hospital. By rotating to various sites, residents are ensured comprehensive exposure to the full scope of interventional radiology.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

The Imaging Institute at Cleveland Clinic is one of the busiest clinical departments in the country, performing more than 2.4 million examinations every year. The IR section provides clinical services in seven all digital angiographic suites, and houses two 3T and four 1.5T  Siemens MR scanners, five 128-slice, one 64-slice, one 20-slice and one 16-slice Siemens CT scanners, 15 Siemens Acuson and one Phillips CX50 color Doppler-equipped ultrasound units. Additionally, there is one Siemens Biograph mMR 3T PET/MR scanner in clinical use. The section operates with an integrated PACS, RIS and voice recognition program.

MetroHealth Medical Center

MetroHealth operates four hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers and 40 additional sites throughout Cuyahoga County. The system serves more than 300,000 patients, two-thirds of whom are uninsured or covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

MetroHealth is home to Cuyahoga County’s most experienced Level I Adult Trauma Center, verified since 1992, and Ohio’s only adult and pediatric trauma and burn center.

Hillcrest Hospital

Hillcrest Hospital is a 500-bed, busy community hospital and level 2 trauma center on the East side of Cleveland and is part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Residents rotating at Hillcrest Hospital are exposed to a large number of outpatients for procedures including port implantation for chemotherapy, biliary and nephrostomy management, and a growing number of pre-radioembolization hepatic angiograms. The gastroenterology and urology services at Hillcrest Hospital work closely with us and consult us frequently for management of biliary obstruction, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, percutaneous access for renal stone removal, and post-operative complications. The trauma service also provides for visceral and peripheral embolization procedures.    

Cleveland Clinic Florida

Located in Weston Florida, the Cleveland Clinic Florida Campus provides an opportunity for Interventional Radiology Residents to learn in a high-volume, highly collaborative clinical environment. There are four dedicated IR faculty who work in two Siemens Biplane rooms, two Siemens Single plane rooms and perform CT and Ultrasound guided procedures. There are between 10-15 angio cases per day which include peripheral vascular disease, aortic endografts, carotid stents, intra-arterial cancer therapies, ablations, biopsies, as well as the full gamut of Interventional procedures.

There are between 10-15 CT/US cases per day as well as all aspects of Interventional Oncology and liver and heart transplant. The mantra at Weston is that all radiology procedures with a needle are done by IR. The IR resident will be the only trainee in IR during the rotation and will have the opportunity to tailor their daily experience to augment their education based upon the case mix of the day.

There are two dedicated nurse practitioners as well as a nurse coordinator and two IR schedulers. Clinic patients are seen daily during the week. Residents will attend morning conference by video conference weekly and will present their cases via video conference during the weekly case conference. Housing and transportation are provided for the one- or two-month rotations that happen during the year.

Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health Center

CCF-AGMC is a regional 500+ bed community hospital with trauma level I status and a fully integrated stroke program.

Currently five Interventional Radiologists cover IR procedures at AGMC as well as two other regional hospitals (CCF-Medina & CCF-Mercy).

Currently, two additional body imagers provide image-guided biopsy and drainage coverage. An additional pediatric interventional radiologist covers Akron Children’s Hospital. Night and weekend call for all facilities is shared by a total of six interventional radiologists.

Our interventional assignments include IR 1 (traditional bi-plane interventional suite); IR 2 (Image guided biopsies, drainages, & ablations); and a vein center with IR clinic. IR staff also rotates to Mercy and Medina IR, but trainees do not currently participate at those locations.

Residents in both the integrated (PGY-5+6) and independent (PGY-6+7) IR residencies rotate to CCF-AGMC for a four week block each year. They gain independence performing image-guided biopsies and drainages, ureteral access for surgical nephrolithotomy, and other bread and butter IR procedures. Additionally, they gain experience with pain management, venous insufficiency and cosmetic venous procedures, which are not commonly performed at our other sites.

Akron Children’s Hospital

Akron Children's has been caring for children since 1890, with two hospital campuses, 6 regional health centers and 50+ primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio. The 250-bed pediatric hospital in downtown Akron is a level 1 pediatric trauma center and houses a regional burn center and regional neonatal and pediatric intensive care units.  

Currently, Akron Children’s has the only dedicated Pediatric Interventional Radiologist in Northeast Ohio, who is assisted by four advanced practice providers. The department is equipped with a Siemens Single plane procedure suite, with a cardiac Toshiba biplane room available for overflow. Approximately 5 – 8 cases are performed each day, primarily including gastrojejunostomy tubes, joint injections, biopsies, abscess drainage, chest tubes, vascular access, lumbar punctures, Botox injections, PE/DVT thrombolysis, sclerotherapy for vascular malformations, angiograms, and embolization.

IR residents will have the opportunity to gain experience in performing procedures on pediatric patients, including nuances with fluid management, radiation safety, and contrast dose limitations. Trainees will also attend vascular anomalies clinic and multidisciplinary conferences (oncology, surgery, thyroid, etc).