Breast Imaging Fellowship

Texas Medical Center

Texas Medical Center

More than 5,000 physicians see 7.2 million patients each year in the largest hospital complex in the world.

Harris Health System Smith Clinic.

Harris Health System Smith Clinic

Smith Clinic is home to the Smith Breast Center.

Message From the Program Director

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Baylor College of Medicine offers a one-year breast imaging fellowship in Houston under the supervision of subspecialty-trained radiologists whose clinical and research interests lie within breast imaging. We currently offer one position annually.

Our program provides broad exposure to all facets of breast imaging, including digital mammography, tomosynthesis, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI. Fellows also obtain extensive hands-on experience with all types of breast procedures, including wire and wireless localizations as well as biopsies under ultrasound, mammogram, and MRI guidance. We perform approximately 60,000 breast imaging examinations annually at our two practice sites in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. At Smith Clinic, part of the Harris Health System, fellows care for a medically underserved, international patient population. The Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only three NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in Texas, provides experience in more of a private practice environment, where patients are often referred to us from outside facilities for management of breast cancer.

To better understand the role of radiology in breast cancer care, fellows take part in a one-month multidisciplinary rotation, during which they work with breast surgery, breast oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and plastic surgery. Additionally, fellows prepare and present imaging at our weekly multidisciplinary breast tumor board under attending supervision.

The fellowship follows the guidelines set by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI). Our attendings provide diverse perspectives on the practice of breast imaging, having trained at different programs across the country. Fellows completing the training program at BCM attain the necessary skills to proficiently diagnose and manage the spectrum of breast diseases and are prepared to practice confidently in any practice setting.

Robert E. Lynch, M.D.
Program Director, Breast Imaging Fellowship

Admissions

The Breast Imaging Fellowship Program at Baylor College of Medicine offers one position each year to qualified applicants. Candidates must complete a four-year Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) prior to beginning their fellowship.

The Breast Imaging Fellowship participates in the National Resident Matching Program which is sponsored by the Society of Breast Imaging. In order to become a breast imaging fellow with Baylor College of Medicine, you must register with the radiology match.

To apply for a fellowship position, please submit the following documents by Monday, Jan. 1, 2025.

  1. SBI Universal Application
  2. Current photo (sent electronically via email)
  3. Curriculum Vitae and personal Statement
  4. Medical school dean’s letter
  5. Original medical school transcript
  6. One original notarized copy of medical school diploma
  7. One original notarized copy of internship certificate (if applicable)
  8. Letter of good standing verification from current residency program director
  9. Copy of your USMLE Scores - Steps 1 and 2 (Step 3, if applicable) and/or COMLEX scores
  10. One original notarized copy of your ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
  11. Three letters of recommendation by physicians who can evaluate your clinical and academic abilities.

Virtual interviews are tentatively scheduled to be held at the end of January or beginning of February 2025. Applicants will not be considered for an interview until their file is complete.

Breast Imaging has implemented an All-In-Policy for the match. This means that programs participating in the match cannot extend any offers to candidates outside of the match. Applicants can withdraw from the match prior to the ranking deadline if they accept a position outside of the match.

Dates of the match:

  • Nov. 1, 2024:  Can send applications to programs
  • Jan. 13 - March 31, 2025:  Virtual interview period
  • March 12, 2025: Match registration opens
  • April 16, 2025:  Rank order list opens
  • May 21, 2025:  Quota change deadline
  • June 4, 2025:  Ranking order list deadline
  • June 18, 2025:  Match Day
  • July 1, 2026:  Training begins

Cost of the match:

Applicants will pay a $70 registration fee to register for the Match. 
https://www.nrmp.org/intro-to-the-match/match-fees/

Contact information:

Baylor College of Medicine
Attention: Becky Baxter
Department of Radiology
One Baylor Plaza – BCM360
Houston, TX 77030

Phone: 713-798-6362
Fax: 713-798-8359
Email: beckyb@bcm.edu

Curriculum

Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center) – 7 months

  • Same day program – online screening interpretation, with same-day workup and biopsy of abnormal findings offered to patients
  • All aspects of breast imaging – screening/diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and procedures
  • Dedicated 3T MRI scanner reserved only for the breast center
  • Wireless localizations (Scout and Magseed)
  • Brevera Stereotactic Biopsy System

Smith Clinic (Harris Health System) – 5 months

  • Rotations focused on developing procedural skills and interpreting breast MRI
  • Ample opportunities to read screening mammograms and perform diagnostic workup
  • International patient population – majority Spanish-speaking
  • Wire localizations and wireless localizations (Magseed)
  • 1 month – multidisciplinary rotation with surgery, oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and plastic surgery

A strong clinical experience is complemented by comprehensive instruction in the practice of modern breast imaging. Breast imaging fellows help lead a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary tumor board each week at Baylor Clinic. The conference is well-attended by approximately 30 breast imagers, breast surgeons, breast oncologists, radiation oncologists, geneticists and treatment coordinators from across the Texas Medical Center. Discussion is high-level and frequently spirited. In addition, the entire breast section attends a weekly breast imaging conference on Wednesdays.

Aerial view of the Texas Medical Center

Affiliates

Affiliations with leading research and healthcare institutions in and around the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest healthcare complex, provide access to an exceptionally diverse array of people and resources. Discover how our affiliations enhance our education programs.