Pediatric Neuroradiology Fellowship

The 364-bed hospital is the largest pediatric provider in the region, and one of the leading children’s hospitals in the nation. The hospital has a large brain tumor program, a level 4 epilepsy center and a regional fetal surgery program. In addition, we have busy neurology, neurocritical care, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, endocrinology and orthopedic services, all requiring a high-level of neuroimaging expertise. The Department of Medical Imaging has 7 MRI scanners (including three 3 Tesla), two CT scanners (with dual-energy capability), 1 PET/CT scanner, and a dedicated 3D/advanced imaging lab.

The Neuroradiology Division is comprised of seven fellowship-trained neuroradiologists. Our faculty is dedicated to excellence in clinical neuroimaging and academics. Members of the division serve in numerous leadership roles in the Neuroradiology and Pediatric Radiology societies and journals, and have authored an extensive list of peer-reviewed publications in Pediatric Neuroradiology.

Lurie Children’s is located in the heart of Chicago, situated between the beaches and trails of Lake Michigan and the buzzing downtown experience of Michigan Avenue. Built in 2012, our beautiful 23-story facility is connected via bridges to both Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women's Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Fellows work closely with the neuroradiology attendings in the reading room for the protocolling, monitoring and interpretation of neuroimaging studies, with dedicated one-on-one teaching and direct supervision. The fellowship provides extensive experience in routine and advanced CT and MRI techniques in the evaluation of pediatric brain, spine, and head and neck pathologies. The clinical experience is well-balanced between outpatient, inpatient, critical care and emergency room studies. All attendings have focused areas of clinical and research interests, and the fellows have ample opportunities to interact and learn from them. There is hands-on experience provided for advanced imaging techniques including fMRI, DSC/DCE/ASL perfusion, DTI and fiber tracking, and MR spectroscopy. The department also performs brain PET, SPECT, transcranial Doppler and cranial ultrasound, and a tailored experience in these modalities is available if desired. Fetal MRI is performed by specialized fetal imagers and neuroangiography is performed by interventional neuroradiologists, and dedicated exposure to both these services is available to interested candidates.

The fellows also work closely with clinicians from various disciplines, and participate in weekly and monthly multidisciplinary conferences including brain tumor board, epilepsy, neurology, neurovascular, neuro-metabolic, head and neck, temporal bone, and child abuse conferences.

The fellows work approximately 3-4 evening shifts a month, and several daytime weekend shifts over the year. There are no overnight call responsibilities.

The fellowship has competency based goals and objectives, and follows a comprehensive pediatric neuroradiology curriculum. There is a monthly didactic lecture series delivered by pediatric neuroradiology attendings that covers the major educational topics of our subspecialized field, as well as additional educational conferences offered through Lurie Children’s and Northwestern University. An exhaustive list of online resources and journal articles is also provided.

The department provides plenty of research opportunities and resources. The fellow chooses a research project and a mentor at the start of the year, with the goal of a presentation at a scientific meeting, or a peer-reviewed publication. Dedicated research time and administrative support are provided. The fellow is also encouraged to attend national radiology meetings, with meeting days and funding provided as per department policies.

The fellows are also involved in resident education, and present at least one didactic conference and one journal club discussion over the year. There are various resources for professional enrichment available, and opportunity for membership to Feinberg Academy of Medical Educators (FAME).

All applicants must be on track to complete an ACGME-accredited Neuroradiology or Pediatric Radiology fellowship, prior to the program start date.

To apply to our program, please submit our GME fellowship application form along with an updated CV, personal statement, and three reference letters to:

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Department of Medical Imaging
Attn: Driana Sanchez
225 East Chicago Ave., Box 9
Chicago, IL 60611

Or by email to our Program Coordinator, Driana Sanchez, at drsanchez@luriechildrens.org.

For more detailed information regarding training at Northwestern University, salary and benefits, please refer to Northwestern University's Graduate Medical Education website.

Follow us on Twitter at @LurieNeuroRads and @LurieRad. 

For questions or further information, please contact:

Alok Jaju, MD
Pediatric Neuroradiology Fellowship Program Director
ajaju@luriechildrens.org
312.227.3513

Driana Sanchez
Program Coordinator
drsanchez@luriechildrens.org
312.227.3471