Welcome to the University of Louisville Independent Interventional Radiology Residency Program

The University of Louisville Interventional Radiology section offers an ACGME accredited independent Interventional Radiology Residency training program, with the capacity to consider both Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR) and non-ESIR candidates. In addition to the resident position, an additional ESIR program accepts one R3 (PGY4) resident per year.

University of Louisville Hospital is a level one trauma center, an active center for organ transplant including cardiac, lung, and liver, and is a tertiary referral center. There is broad and deep exposure to a variety of patient care and management including:

• Interventional Oncology: y-90, TACE, microwave and cryo ablation.
• Hepatobiliary: TIPS, PTC, post-transplant interventions.
• Renal: nephrostomy, percutaneous stone removal access, ureteral stent placement, suprapubic catheter placement.
• Pulmonary: PE lysis and thrombectomy. Arterial: traumatic, gastrointestinal, and other angiography and embolizations. 
• Venous: Complex IVC filter removal, acute and chronic DVT thrombectomy and reconstruction, venous access.
• Lymphatic: antegrade and retrograde lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization.

The solo resident appointment allows for broad and deep exposure to a variety of cases. Rotations in neurointerventional and vascular surgery departments are available. IR clinic responsibilities will also be expected.

Program Leadership

Michael Chorney, MD, MBA, R.P.V.I

Assistant Professor, Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Program Director, Independent IR Residency
University of Louisville School of Medicine

Facilities

There are 3 major rotation sites and 5 Interventional Radiology teaching faculty.

• University of Louisville Hospital: 3 angio suites including Biplane Siemens, GE Discovery. Dedicated additional IR CT scanner, US rooms.
• Jewish Hospital 2 Angio suites and dedicated procedural CT.
• Robley Rex VA medical Center: Angio suite and procedural CT unit.

Education

Residents will participate in resident education, including weekly didactic IR lectures to diagnostic radiology residents, and medical student lectures including the IR interest group.

Additionally, participation in tumor boards including gastrointestinal and thoracic tumor boards is expected. Journal club and annual meeting attendance will also be encouraged.

AIMS Statement

The University of Louisville Independent Interventional Radiology Program will prepare the trainee with a strong foundation in clinical and academic interventional radiology, with a special emphasis on providing care to a diverse patient population that includes patients with oncological disorders, trauma, renal and genito-urinary diseases and hepato-biliary interventions. Trainees will be able to participate in the care of patients with common diseases such as diabetes and hypertension which are prevalent in the local population as well as be in the care of patients with more advanced liver and renal diseases. Jewish Hospital provides a case mix for the transplant populations, the Brown Cancer center with oncological diseases such as melanoma and colon cancer. Graduates will be encouraged to participate in the educational and academic activities in the department and will be required to give lectures to residents and medical students in the program as well as prepare an end of year paper to be presented to the faculty as well as submitted for publication.

Call Responsibilities

Call experience is shared between the resident, ESIR resident, and additional diagnostic radiology residents rotating on service, with an anticipated call burden of about q4 but no more often than q3.

The fellow will also participate in the general ER extended call shift from 5-9pm on weekdays.  On average, the fellow will cover 1-2 weekdays a month, 18 - 24 times/year.

Stipends & Cost of Living in Louisville

Louisville is a very affordable city, with a cost of living 5.9% below the national average. With a median home price of $240,000, many residents and residents choose to purchase a home or condo during their time here. Be sure to visit our Living in Louisville webpage. Below is the resident stipend rate for the 2023-2024 academic year:

University Benefits

The University of Louisville has a competitive benefits package for resident, including the following insurance plans: Health, malpractice, disability, life, and accident. Additionally, the Ophthalmology Clinic offers a discount on eye examinations and the Dental School offers a complete dental program.

The GME office provides free parking permits to resident for the HSC 620 parking garage.

Residents have full access to the University’s many fitness facilities free of charge. Family members are also allowed to use facilities for an additional fee.

Residents are eligible to purchase student athletic tickets, which are offered at reduced rates through the Athletics Department. Housestaff also have access to all U of L athletic facilities including the Health Sciences Center Fitness Center, the brand new Student Recreation Center, Bass-Rudd Tennis Center, and Ralph Wright Natatorium, which are located on the main campus.

Many discounts are provided to residents through the following participating organizations: Actor's Theatre, Derby Dinner Playhouse, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra, PNC Bank Broadway Series, and Stage One.

Additional Departmental Support for Independent IR Resident:

• CME Travel Funding (Totaling $1,800): The program will support the Interventional Radiology resident to attend one of the following meetings: SIR, SIOI, WCIO. All university travel policies must be followed.
• One lab coat and personalized jacket are provided to each incoming residents.
• Residents who present at an approved national conference may be eligible to have a portion of the travel costs covered by the department.  Residents presenting will be given additional days off to attend the conference.
• Residents are entitled to four weeks of vacation during the academic year. The Interventional Radiology Program observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Holiday time off is not deducted from the IR resident's vacation balance.
• Residents are given five additional days off to use for employment interviews.

Application Process

The University of Louisville Independent IR program uses ERAS (Electronic Residency Application System) to manage the application process. We follow the timeframe established by the NRMP. Interviews for the IR residency position will be held between January-March annually.

The program encourages all eligible candidates to apply regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex.

Please email radres@louisville.edu with any questions regarding the application and interview process. 

*For more information, please email our Fellowship Program Coordinator:

Cheri Bingham, MHA, C-TAGME

Fellowship Coordinator, Department of Radiology
University of Louisville School of Medicine