Program Overview

Program Overview

Cleveland Clinic's Imaging Institute offers two advanced hands-on training programs under the preceptorship of Aman Gill, MD.

  • Advanced Techniques in Interventional Oncology.
  • Optional two-week adjunct program: Advanced Techniques in Portal Hypertension.

The goal of these programs is to provide additional post-fellowship training in advanced techniques in interventional oncology and/or portal hypertension. Cleveland Clinic Interventional Radiology Department has a wealth of experience in these two fields.

Objectives

  • Familiarize trainees with basic science, pertinent current evidence, and best practices in the fields of interventional oncology and portal hypertension.
  • Provide hands-on training in these techniques from experienced Cleveland Clinic interventional radiology staff.
  • Demonstrate the multidisciplinary approach to interventional oncology by attendance at the liver oncology clinic and tumor board.
  • Achieve competency to perform these procedures independently when they return to their practice.
Curriculum

Curriculum

The curriculum will be formed from a combination of didactic, hands-on training, and clinical settings:

Pre-program self-education:

  • Reading list with evaluation.

Didactic:

  • Introductory lectures covering basic science, pertinent current evidence, indications, patient selection, pre-procedural evaluation, post-procedure follow-up and imaging.

Hands-on training:

  • Following didactic presentation, trainees will begin by assisting Cleveland Clinic interventional radiology staff in cases. After assisting 2–3 cases of each procedure type, trainees will function as first operators with our staff oversight.

Clinical application:

  • Attend multidisciplinary liver oncology clinic held every Thursday in A100. This clinic consists of interventional radiology, hepatobiliary and transplant surgery, medical oncology, hepatology, and transplant/IR case management.
  • Attend multidisciplinary liver oncology tumor board held every Thursday following the above-mentioned clinic.
  • Rounding on relevant inpatients with NP-PAs.

Sample training schedule

Week 1:

  • 2.5 days of orientation to CCF, IR department, EPIC, etc.
  • 2.5 days of didactic lectures, both live and interactive modules.

Week 2:

  • Begin observation/first assist. Attempt to assist on 2–3 cases in chosen program topic.

Week 3:

  • Begin to function as first operator on IO cases.

Week 4:

  • Consolidation of skill. Program feedback.

Week 5–6:

  • Those applicants electing the hypertension adjunct will continue to perform I/O cases for weeks 5–6, as assisting/performing TIPS throughout the six weeks as they become available.

Please note: Case volume is estimated and may vary depending on scheduling and staff availability.

Eligibility

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Have a valid U.S. medical license.
  • Be licensed in the state of Ohio or eligible to apply for a Special Activities Permit for the Ohio State Medical Board.
  • Have an ABR Board certification or board eligibility in diagnostic radiology.
  • Have completed a fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
  • Have practicing privileges in their parent institution.
  • Provide a statement of goals and expectations, along with the application.

International applicants:

  • To participate, non-citizen physicians can participate without clinic visa sponsorship if they have unrestricted U.S. employment authorization, e.g. lawful permanent resident (green card); Temporary Protected Status; Temporary Resident Status, Refugee or Asylee status, or any other status which authorizes the non-citizen physician to work without employer sponsorship.
  • If you do have current U.S. employment authorization, as an international physician, you must also be ECFMG certified, having taken USMLE steps 1-3, in order to participate.
  • If you have only ECFMG, then you will need to have actively practiced medicine in the U.S. for the last two years, or have been in an ACGME training program within the last two years.
  • If you have not done either of those items, then you must complete all parts of the USMLE to be eligible for Special Activities License.
  • If you meet these qualifications, then we can proceed with your application for the CAST program.
  • If not, you will be directed to the International Observership program and they will be able to explain the opportunities available to you there.
Duration and Tuition

Duration and Tuition

Available programs:

  • Advanced Techniques in Interventional Oncology.
  • Advanced Techniques in Portal Hypertension.

The standard duration for each program will consist of a four-week curriculum. We also offer an abbreviated two-week curriculum for each as well.

Applicants can choose from any of the following options:

  • Interventional oncology program (4 weeks)
    • Tuition: $20,000
  • Interventional oncology and portal hypertension programs (6 weeks)
    • Tuition: $30,000

In the event that you need to cancel after payment has been received, application has been approved, and onboarding has begun, you will incur a cancellation fee of 30% of your tuition. The remaining balance (70%) will be reimbursed back to you.

How to Apply

How to Apply

The first step is to complete and submit the pre-application form.

Our office will contact you shortly thereafter.