Musculoskeletal Imaging Fellowship: Clinical

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The musculoskeletal clinical fellowship offers unparalleled educational and clinical experience, due to the volume, variety and breadth of pathology seen every day. The scope and depth of subspecialty interests within the department and across the institution, guarantee a constant flow of educational experiences and vibrant cross-specialty interactions and opportunities. Fellows work side by side with nationally and internationally acclaimed academic radiologists and interact daily with world-renowned clinicians. Johns Hopkins musculoskeletal radiology is committed to excellence in clinical service,education and collegiality.

The primary mission of the musculoskeletal fellowship is to provide superior clinical training in CT, ultrasound and MRI of and intervention in musculoskeletal-related pathology. Musculoskeletal imaging faculty members are deeply committed to resident and fellow education. Our primary case volume is provided by the dynamic and diverse Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, with active services across three hospitals and several satellite clinics, and by rheumatology, neurology and neurosurgery, adult and pediatric emergency medicine and other relevant specialists.

The musculoskeletal fellowship is a one-year clinical and research program. The fellow participates in an intensive training program in musculoskeletal imaging, which includes plain radiographs, CT and MRI of the musculoskeletal system, arthrography and percutaneous bone biopsy. The fellow will be involved in a variety of novel techniques (for example, MR spectroscopy and advanced multiple detector CT protocols for the musculoskeletal system) and be exposed to enormously wide-ranging pathologies.

Educational Activities

Didactic Sessions and Multi-disciplinary Conferences

Weekly didactic sessions are held specifically focused on fellowship training given by staff in Diagnostic Radiology.

Weekly seminars in multi-disciplinary specialty fields such as:

  • Orthopedic Grand Rounds - weekly
  • Radiology Grand Rounds - monthly
  • Sarcoma conferences - weekly
  • MR neurography conferences - twice a month
  • Vascular anomaly clinical conferences - monthly
  • Fellows' conferences - weekly
    • Fellows attending these case-oriented conferences are expected to present imaging findings relevant to the care and management of the patient.

Clinical Rotations

Radiography — The fellow interprets all outpatient musculoskeletal radiographs.

Cross-sectional imaging — The fellow interprets all cross-sectional diagnostic, musculoskeletal imaging including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The fellow also monitors and protocols cross-sectional examinations.

Interventional MRI — The fellow assigned to iMRI performs all MR guided interventions including nerve, muscle or joint injections with anesthetic or contrast material, nerve ablations and soft tissue or bone biopsy under supervision.

Procedure — The fellow assigned to procedures performs all other interventions including US, fluoroscopy, CT-guided aspirations, injections as well as bone and soft tissue biopsies under supervision.

Equipment

This list is rapidly changing as we provide coverage to patients being scanned in the hospital as well as numerous outpatient imaging sites (Green Spring Station, White Marsh, Columbia Medical Center, Sibley and Suburban hospitals).

  • CT — Five Siemens multidetector flash scanners; three 64-slice and one 40-slice scanner. We have the latest in 3-D software and a dedicated 3-D imaging lab. We currently perform over 1,000 3-D CT cases a month. We also have two 320-multidetector CT scanners (Toshiba, Aquilion ONE), which are used for four-dimensional CT examinations.
  • Ultrasound — Thirteen rooms equipped with state-of-the-art scanners, including: seven Philips 5000, two Philips IU-22, two Sequoia, one Siemens Elegra, one Acuson XP. Ten are dedicated for ultrasound-guided biopsies, one sonositic Titan and one GE Voluson 750. Several scanners have 3-D capabilities. All studies are reviewed and stored on a dedicated system.
  • MR — 22 magnets, including Siemens, GE, Philips. Eight 3T magnets; seven magnets are for clinical operations, four are dedicated to research. Two 1.5T magnet systems are in the construction phase. Two 1.5T magnet systems are dedicated scanning patients with cardiac devices. One 3T magnet system is located in the OR and used for interventional MR guided procedures. Learn more about additional scanners for research purposes.
  • Nuclear medicine — Two GE CT-PET scanners; additional equipment at Green Spring Station and White Marsh facilities.

How to Apply

We are now part of the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Imaging Fellowship Match Program.

The Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR) will serve as the sponsoring organization with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), managing the match process.

In response to the ongoing pandemic and health concerns, all fellowship interviews will be virtual this year.

Applications for fellowship 2025 will be accepted starting November 1, 2023 and the interview process will begin January 8, 2024.

Candidates must be board certified or board qualified in diagnostic radiology and must be eligible to obtain a state of Maryland medical license.

To apply, please include the following:

  • Completed fellowship application (Please type the application. Do not hand write the application; handwritten applications cannot be read.)
  • CV
  • Recent photo
  • Personal statement (one page outlining your interests, goals, and other relevant information)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Be sure to use the three-digit version of United State Medical Licensing Examination Step scores.
  • Visit SSR or NRMP for more information.

Please scan and email your application and letters of recommendation to Kenya Ervin at [email protected].

Contact Information

Kenya Ervin
Sr. Administrative & MSK Fellowship Program Coordinator
601 N. Caroline St.
JHOC 3014
Baltimore, MD 21287

Phone: 443-287-2917
Fax: 410-955-6548
Email: [email protected]