Interventional Radiology

AVAILABLE STARTING AY2026-2027

Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties

  • Course Information

    Course Number: RMDN630

    Prerequisites: Students must have completed six out of the seven required Phase 2 Clerkships with one being Surgery. 
    *Students interested in applying to Radiology specialties are preferred.

    Length of Time: 4 Weeks

    Phase Availability: Phase 2 and Phase 3

    Credit Type: Physician Assessed Patient Facing (PAPFE) or Open

    Call: One night or weekend, if available

  • Contact Information

    Program Directors: Rajesh Kakarla, MD; Andrew Tannenbaum, MD; Amer Rasheed, MD

    Coordinator/Scheduling: Allison King (aking75@uic.edu)

    Location: Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital (8201 E Riverside Blvd, Rockford, IL 61114)

Narrative Description: This four-week elective provides fourth-year medical students with an immersive introduction to the field of Interventional Radiology (IR), emphasizing its role in modern, minimally invasive patient care. Through a combination of hands-on procedural observation, case-based learning, and didactic sessions, students will expand their knowledge of image-guided therapeutic techniques. Students will rotate through various IR suites, participating in pre- and post-procedural care, and engage in multidisciplinary discussions with referring services. Core topics include vascular and non-vascular interventions, oncologic IR, trauma and emergency procedures, and image-guided biopsies and drainages. Emphasis will be placed on clinical decision-making, procedural planning, radiation safety, and integration of imaging modalities such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the indications, contraindications, and complications of common IR procedures including lower extremity arteriography, renal angiography, chemoembolization, venous access procedures, TIPS and others.
  2. Gain knowledge of arterial and venous anatomy important to interventional radiology.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of pre- and post-procedure evaluation and care for common procedures.
  4. Participate in basic vascular access procedures under direct supervision of an angiography attending.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical workflow and patient management in IR.
  6. Interpret basic imaging relevant to interventional procedures.
  7. Understand the role of the radiologist on the health care team and the relationship to other clinical disciplines.
  8. Demonstrate skills in applying clinical patient history and statement of indications for therapy to patient care.

Learning Activities:

Students will primarily learn at the bedside alongside other members of the care team. During this course, students will learn and participate in biopsies, drainage, vascular interventions, injections, paracentesis, thoracentesis, and other procedures occurring on the floor during the rotation.

Students will be required to review patient cases prior to each procedure and after. Students will be expected to present patient cases to the attending and demonstrate knowledge of each procedure through discussion with the attending.

Daily Responsibilities:

  1. Students are expected to report to the reading room of their assigned site by 8:00am for each full day shift.
  2. Students are expected to access patient charts and read up on procedures for the following day each day.
  3. Students will be assigned specific patients to follow in pre-, intra-, and post-procedure care. This includes performing the initial diagnostic work-up, participating in interventional procedures, and participating in post-procedural care and follow-up.
  4. Students will be required to observe and participate in other IR procedures occurring on patients who are not assigned.
  5. Students will be required to present relevant IR cases and topics as assigned by their attending.

General Scheduling: Students will work on inpatient at Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside Monday-Friday, and the OR on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Students are expected to complete up to five full day shifts throughout the calendar week not to exceed the duty hours as indicated by the College of Medicine. Students are able to take night or weekend call with their assigned preceptor as long as it does not impact the duty hours for the student for the week.

Method of Assessment: Students will be assessed by the attending faculty member with whom they spend the most time during the rotation. The University of Illinois College of Medicine Clinical Elective Evaluation form will be used to grade students.

Required Reading: Students will be assigned selected readings from the following resources throughout the rotation as it fits the student’s individual needs and patient cases.

Additional Resources: Other readings, as assigned.

Miscellaneous Information: None