Cardiothoracic Imaging Fellowship

Rush University Medical Center is a nationally recognized academic medical center known for excellence in patient care, education, and research. As a major tertiary and quaternary referral center in the Chicago region, Rush provides fellows with exposure to a wide spectrum of high volume and complex cardiothoracic pathology, advanced imaging technologies, and multidisciplinary clinical care. We foster fellows for successful careers in academic or private practice with supportive learning environment.

Program Highlights 

• High-volume clinical practice with a diverse and complex spectrum of thoracic and cardiovascular diseases.
• Comprehensive training in thoracic radiography and Chest CT. Advanced training in cardiac CT and MRI, including coronary CTA, structural heart imaging, congenital and acquired heart disease, cardiomyopathies, valvular disease, pulmonary vascular imaging, and aortic imaging.
• Additional experience in lung cancer screening, thoracic oncology, pulmonary embolism and interstitial lung disease, through multidisciplinary care teams.
• Team oriented academic environment with dedicated faculty mentorship and opportunities for clinical research and scholarly activity. 

Clinical Training 

Fellows receive comprehensive clinical training in all major areas of cardiothoracic imaging, including chest radiography, thoracic CT, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, and thoracic MRI. 

Training emphasizes accurate image interpretation, protocol optimization, clinical consultation, and multidisciplinary collaboration across a broad spectrum of inpatient and outpatient imaging. 

Fellows are exposed to a wide range of thoracic and cardiovascular pathology, including thoracic oncology, lung cancer screening, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary infections, airway disorders, pulmonary vascular disease, congenital and acquired heart disease, cardiomyopathies, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, aortic pathology. Advanced training includes coronary CT angiography, structural heart imaging, cardiac MRI for myocardial tissue characterization, and imaging for preoperative planning and postoperative follow-up. 

Clinical training is centered at Rush University Medical Center, where fellows work closely with pulmonology, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, oncology, and critical care teams in a collaborative academic environment. 

Multidisciplinary Conferences  

• Multidisciplinary thoracic tumor board
• ILD conference
• Nodule board
• Interesting cardiac case conference

Didactics, Research and Teaching 

Fellows participate in a well-rounded educational curriculum that includes interesting case conferences, journal club, multidisciplinary conferences, and a dedicated lecture series led by cardiothoracic imaging faculty. 

Research and scholarly activity are integral components of the fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, and educational projects with dedicated faculty mentorship. 

Teaching opportunities foster the development of educational skills and fellows play an active role in the education of radiology residents and medical students through daily case review and clinical supervision. 

Application Information

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed a diagnostic radiology residency program.  

International applicants must have completed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 examinations and possess a valid ECFMG certificate at the start of the fellowship year. 

Applicants must also be eligible for temporary or permanent medical licensure in the State of Illinois.  

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation  

How to Apply

We review and accept applications throughout the year. Please send your application materials to the program coordinator, Bryent Edwards, at bryent_edwards@rush.edu.