IR Chief Welcome Letter

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the IR Residency Program at MUSC. MUSC VIR was one of the early adopters of both the Integrated and Independent Pathways as the training paradigm completed its shift in 2020.

The VIR division at MUSC has an illustrious history in the landscape of academic Vascular and Interventional Radiology. The division was grown by Dr. Renan Uflacker, a renowned expert in angiography and interventional procedures. Today, the division has seven faculty members, with expertise ranging from vascular disease, interventional oncology, pediatric, prostate, musculoskeletal, and pain interventions.

The training programs for both the Integrated and Independent Residencies develop well-rounded, competent, and confident interventional radiologists. Residents are granted graduated autonomy and in their final year of training function as primary operator on over 1200 cases. High volume is ensured as VIR operates outpatient clinics at multiple sites, MUSC is the main referral center for the state, and strong interprofessional relationships provide for steady referral patterns from transplant surgery, trauma surgery, and oncology services. An integrated clinic experience, supervision of CTA/MRA interpretation as well as participation in procedures with vascular surgery enhance trainee experience. Participation in weekly didactic lectures, case conferences, tumor boards, vascular conference, and other interdisciplinary conferences are pillars of the program. Clinical experience includes full admitting privileges, inpatient rounding, outpatient clinics and a busy consult service with five full time APPs assisting with consults. The service covers three hospitals on the same campus and an office-based outpatient c-arm mini-suite. In 2020, MUSC was the first VIR program with a “fast track” urgent-care type clinic to expedite outpatient work-up and break down barriers to patient care. Additionally, we are excited to become one of the first VIR training programs to offer office-based lab experience with the highly anticipated opening of a full angio suite at our newest outpatient clinic site during the 2022-23 academic year.

MUSC VIR is an excellent training program. If you would like to experience the full gamut of vascular and interventional radiology - from congenital arteriovenous malformations, endoleak repair, advanced arterial, venous, and lymphatic disease treatment techniques and patient management, interventional pain management including vertebral augmentation, pulmonary embolism response team including aspiration thrombectomy, the full spectrum of interventional oncology, to CT and ultrasound guided biopsies and drainage - this program will be a great fit.

Perhaps the greatest strength of this program is the camaraderie between faculty, staff, trainees, techs, nurses, and our diagnostic colleagues. We look forward to meeting you, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

 

Clark Phelps phelpc@musc.edu	Matthew Bridges bridgmat@musc.edu