The abdominal imaging fellowship program at UAB provides 12 months of advanced training in computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and non-vascular interventional procedures of the abdomen and pelvis with state-of-the-art equipment. The program provides varied experiences that will serve as a solid foundation for either academic or private practice careers. The Abdominal Imaging section has 15 faculty, who provide coverage for body CT, US, MR, image-guided interventional procedures, and GI/GU fluoroscopic exams. Our abdominal imaging faculty members have a wide range of experience, accomplishments, and interests on the institutional, national and international levels. Several are widely known experts in abdominal imaging, with numerous scientific publications as well as prominent roles in national radiology organizations.
Our fellows will:
- Learn to protocol and interpret complex cross-sectional abdominal and pelvic imaging studies using advanced imaging equipment and techniques.
- Become proficient in performing CT and US guided image-guided interventional procedures.
- Have opportunities and mentoring to perform imaging research based on their personal goals.
Body Computed Tomography
Approximately 150 – 200 abdominal and pelvic CT scans in a wide variety of clinical complexity are performed per day across all our inpatient and ambulatory facilities: University Hospital, The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, UAB Highlands, UAB Gardendale, and UAB Leeds.
- Areas of special faculty expertise and interest include:
- Dual Energy CT
- CT colonography
- 3D imaging
- Transplant imaging
- Oncologic imaging
- Vascular imaging
- Liver, pancreatic and gastrointestinal imaging
- GU tract imaging
- PET/MRI
- Artificial intelligence
- Advanced image-guided procedures
Ultrasound
Approximately 140 – 150 sonograms (US) are performed per day across all our facilities. Three of the faculty are Fellows of the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound. The ultrasound section has participated in 14 ultrasound contrast national and international trials since 1994, and has active research in contrast enhanced ultrasound applications, ultrasound of the hemodialysis patient, and best practices. Three Sonographer Radiologist Assistants assist with the section workflow.
- A wide variety of sonograms are performed, including:
- US contrast agent evaluation, primarily of renal and hepatic lesions
- Liver elastography
- General abdominal (hepatobiliary and renal)
- Pelvis - female
- Small parts (thyroid, testis)
- Obstetric (1st trimester)
- Lower and upper extremity arterial and venous, carotids
- Preoperative mapping prior to hemodialysis access and postoperative hemodialysis AVF and graft evaluation
- Transplant - liver, renal and pancreas ultrasound
- About 60-70% of the examinations are vascular
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
We perform approximately 10-40 MRI scans of the abdomen and pelvis across our facilities daily. UAB is one of the largest transplant and prostate cancer centers in the southeast. We have ongoing research projects involving hepatobiliary disease, pancreatic disease, preoperative staging of liver tumors, pelvic floor dysfunction, prostate imaging and PET/MRI.
- Our fellows get extensive experience reading a variety of body MR scans, including:
- Complex hepatobiliary, pancreatic, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cases
- Transplant imaging – Liver, pancreas and kidneys
- Prostate imaging
- MR enterography
- Pelvic floor imaging
- MR elastography and fat/iron quantification
- MR imaging of the acute abdomen in pregnancy
Interventional Procedures
We perform a wide variety of non-vascular procedures in the abdominal imaging section. Fellows rotate through the interventional service with the option of additional elective interventional time if desired. We use ultrasound and CT guidance for biopsies and aspirations.
- These procedures include:
- Liver, kidney, adrenal, lymph node and other soft tissue and retroperitoneal biopsies
- Transplant kidney biopsies
- Thyroid biopsies
- Aspiration/drainage of thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic fluid collections
- Thoracentesis and paracentesis
- Renal and hepatic lesion microwave/radio-frequency ablations
Teaching and Clinical Conferences
We expect our fellows to conduct informal viewbox teaching when they work with residents and medical students; this is usually an extremely pleasant and rewarding experience. Though we do not require that our fellows give formal lectures to the residents, the opportunity to do on virtually any topic is an option. In fact, our residents have enjoyed past fellows' lectures so much, that they have frequently requested more fellow lectures on their didactic schedule. Fellows may also conduct board review sessions for senior residents.
After an initial orientation period, the imaging fellows will also attend and conduct any of several regularly scheduled interdepartmental clinical-radiologic case conferences. The conferences are held jointly with the divisions of gynecologic oncology, transplant surgery, gastroenterology, urology, surgical oncology, and GI surgery. These informative sessions are valuable opportunities for interacting with our referring clinicians.
Research
Fellows are encouraged, but not required, to become involved in projects during the fellowship year. Supervision and guidance are also available to help fellows initiate new projects. The fellows' research activities often lead to scientific articles and presentations at national meetings. Though most research conducted in the department is clinical, extensive resources exist for a broad variety of research endeavours. In addition to our clinical faculty, we have a large physics group, which includes the imaging informatics group. Extensive computer and statistical resources are also available.
Call Responsibilities, In-house Moonlighting and Benefits
Routine clinical responsibilities are on weekdays only. Faculty and fellows share cross-sectional imaging call, with each person averaging about two weekends every six months. In some instances, fellows will instead occasionally take general radiology call, which primarily includes coverage for radiographic studies (chest, abdomen, and MSK).
Several moonlighting opportunities are available to our fellows, including potential opportunities both at UAB and in nearby community hospitals.
Salary, conference and vacation time, and fringe benefits are competitive with other fellowship programs. Fellows are on the same footing as faculty members in choosing vacation days, making vacation time generally flexible.
Birmingham City
Located in the heart of the southeast, Birmingham is a short drive from Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, New Orleans, Memphis, and gulf coast beaches. Some of the most beautiful suburbs in the United States surround the city. With its picturesque surroundings, Birmingham has been recognized as an “All American City,” one of the top ten American cities in which to live and work, and one of the top ten entrepreneurial and job growth hot spots in America. The combination of pleasant weather, geography, diverse culture, activities, and lifestyle make this city a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and practice medicine.
General Information
Official Website for the City of Birmingham
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How to apply
Thank you for your interest in the UAB Abdominal Imaging Fellowship Program.
- If you are interested in applying for our abdominal imaging fellowship, please submit the following:
- Application along with three letters of recommendation (one from program director)
- Personal statement
- Current curriculum vitae
- USMLE and medical school transcripts
Note: Three years of ACGME is required in the state of Alabama.
Please call or email Phyllis Rodgers if you have any questions.
Contact Information:
Elainea Smith, M.D., Program Director | Phyllis Rodgers, Program Coordinator
Department of Radiology - University of Alabama Hospital
619 19th Street South - Birmingham, AL 35249-6830
(Tel) 205-934-7133 - (Fax) 205-975-4413
elaineasmith@uabmc.edu | prodgers@uabmc.edu