Musculoskeletal Imaging

The Department of Radiology of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center offers a 1-year clinical fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging. The training program includes experience in all phases of diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology in the setting of a busy, nationally known academic medical center. 

Program Information

Program Director:	Leon Lenchik, MD llenchik@wfubmc.edu
Section Secretary:	Kimberly Cordial kcordial@wfubmc.edu
Address:	Department of Radiology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Medical Center Boulevard Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088
Phone:	336-716-4316
Fax:	336-716-1278
ACGME Accreditation:	Fully accredited Program number: 4263621004

Clinical Training Offered

•  Radiography 
•  Computed tomography (CT) 
•  Bone mineral densitometry (DXA) 
•  Magnetic resonance (MR) Imaging 
•  Arthrography 
•  Imaging-guided biopsy 
•  Interventional (epidural, nerve block, facet injection, etc.) 
•  Musculoskeletal sonography (limited volume) 

Organization of Fellowship

The fellowship is designed to produce specialized, academically oriented musculoskeletal radiologists with superb clinical skills. Recently trained fellows have been placed in both academic and private practice positions. There is no in-house overnight call, but the fellows rotate with the staff on pager call for emergency procedures and participates on department-wide daytime weekend coverage and evening MRI Center coverage. Optional elective time may be arranged according to individual need. 

A growing volume of interventional spine procedures, including selective nerve root block, epidural steroid injection, cervical-thoracic-lumbar facet injection, and discography, presents an exceptional learning opportunity. Wake Forest is a referral center for connective-tissue sarcomas in North Carolina. Wake Forest orthopedists serve as the team physicians for Wake Forest University intercollegiate teams, including the perennially strong basketball team. 

The section provides a biweekly skeletal radiology proven case conference for the radiology residents at noon and a biweekly didactic teaching conference from 7:30 to 8:15. Other teaching commitments of the section include an informal weekly viewbox conference for the Emergency Department residents (lunch provided) and teaching of medical students on clinical radiology rotations.

In addition, we are active participants in clinical conferences with the orthopedic oncology service, the trauma service, the sports medicine service and the rheumatology service. Fellows and residents on the musculoskeletal service have the opportunity to attend Orthopedic Grand Rounds and other relevant teaching conferences sponsored by other departments. 

The newly reorganized teaching collections of the Musculoskeletal Radiology Section include more than 10,000 cases on films, miniaturized films, 35-mm slides and digital media. Many of these cases have been accessioned onto a computer database, and many of them include pathology slides for radiologic-pathologic correlation. 

The fellows are provided with shared office space and full access to the radiology department's extensive academic support, including computer, secretarial, editorial, photographic, statistical, MR imaging and animal laboratories, and advanced computer imaging laboratory. A competitive package of benefits includes paid attendance at a national meeting. 

The academic offices of the Musculoskeletal Radiology Section are located on the 2nd floor of Meads Hall, with windows overlooking the Medical Center. The clinical activities are centered in a newly constructed digital reading room in an adjacent building within the main hospital, with radiographic rooms, procedure rooms and CT scanners immediately adjacent.

MR imaging is located in an adjacent building connected by tunnel that also houses the department's extensive research facilities. Many bone studies originate from several outpatient locations and from the Emergency Department, but are read in the central reading room via PACS. The Division enjoys a very cordial relationship with members of the orthopedic and rheumatology services. 

Faculty

Total skeletal radiology faculty: 4
Society of Skeletal Radiology members: 3
International Skeletal Society members: 2

Leon Lenchik, MD, Section Head & Fellowship Director
Carol A. Boles, MD
  Paul L. Wasserman, DO
Scott Wuertzer, MD

Application Procedure

We are currently accepting applications for 3 fellowship positions to begin July 1, 2009. We expect to be participating in the NRMP match for radiology fellowships.

Minimum qualifications for the fellowship include successful completion of a diagnostic radiology residency and ability to obtain a license to practice medicine in North Carolina. A personal interview is required unless there are exceptional circumstances. We can coordinate interview dates with the other 2 North Carolina musculoskeletal radiology fellowship programs (Duke and UNC).

A completed application consists of the following:

•  Completed Fellowship Application  
•  Curriculum vitae  
•  Personal statement or letter of interest explaining career choices and goals 
•  Letter of recommendation from radiology residency program director 
•  Dean's letter from medical school 
•  Two additional letters of recommendation 
•  Photograph (optional, for identification) 

Completed applications, letters of recommendation, and supporting documents should be addressed to Dr. Lenchik. Requests for application materials and inquiries concerning interview arrangements, the receipt of materials, and administrative details of the application process should be addressed to Ms. Cordial at kcordial@wfubmc.edu.

Links

Society of Skeletal Radiology