Interventional Radiology Residency Curriculum
Interventional radiology residents at Saint Louis University's School of Medicine have opportunities to gain clinical experience in a variety of settings and in many different procedures.
Rotations
Interventional radiology residents rotation through four clinical sites:
- SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
- SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
- John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital
- SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis
Residents begin IR training early. In the first six months, they'll complete 12, two-week training blocks, half of which are IR training. This structure ensures residents build a strong diagnostic foundation and learn to perform 220+ procedures. Below is an example of the block schedule.
- Block 1: IR
- Block 2: Body CT
- Block 3: Neurology
- Block 4: Diagnostic radiology
- Block 5: Pediatrics
- Block 6: IR
- Block 7: Neurology
- Block 8: Nuclear medicine
- Block 9: Diagnostic radiology
- Block 10: IR
- Block 11: Neurology
- Block 12: Pediatrics
Being on call is an essential part of developing autonomy and procedural confidence.
Weekdays
- 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Rotating schedule throughout academic year
- Home call; covered by R4/5; IR fellows and R1-IR residents; on service DR residents
- Available backup from direct attending physician
Weekend
- 5 p.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday
- Rotating schedule, during VIR rotations only
- New buddy call schedule
- Junior residents: triages consults and procedures
- Senior resident: acts as primary on procedures
Saturday Rounds
- Review overnight consults and perform follow-ups
Sunday Rounds
- Morning consults wrapped up by noon
Residents gain exposure to the full spectrum of modern IR, including the following areas:
- Interventional oncology
- Transplant
- Hepatobiliary
- Vascular and venous disease
- Dialysis access
- Women's/men's health
- Pediatrics
- Musculoskeletal
- Lymphatic interventions
- Emerging
Didactics
Education is central to the residency program. Residents' structured schedule ensures a balance between diagnostic radiology foundations and interventional subspecialty growth.
These lectures run from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and focus on diagnostic radiology. There is one IR-focused lecture a month.
These VIR-focused sessions begin at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. They include faculty lectures, complex case discussions and hands-on exposure to new tools.
These sessions are held from 7:15-8:15 a.m. on Wednesdays. They include a VIR journal club, guest lectures, and morbidity and mortality conferences.