Abdominal Imaging
The Abdominal Imaging section is composed of five subsections: Body CT, Body MRI, GI, GU, and Ultrasound. The section has 6.5 full-time equivalent faculty and three fellowship positions. The entire Department of Radiology (except for MR and Vascular Interventional) recently moved into a new facility at UNC's Women’s and Children Hospital where it houses state-of-the-art imaging equipment. Currently, we have two 16 slice, one 40 slice, and two 64 spiral CT units and 2 combination PET/CT scanners. We have five clinical MR systems: Two 1.5 T Avanto equipped with cardiac software, a 1.5T Sonata and a 1.5 Vision. A 3.0 T clinical scanner opened in 2006. We have performed over 300 body MRI cases on this scanner alone. We have a robust spectroscopic MR program with a full-time Ph.D. director and have opened a 3T MR unit in our research facility. In the new GI and GU area, we have four fluoroscopic rooms with digital capability. In the ultrasound subsection, there are 6 Acuson Sequoia ultrasound systems with state-of-the-art software, including pulse inversion harmonics and 3D. The ultrasound systems are connected to a computerized image management system for photography, review and storage. We perform approximately 150 image-guided soft tissue biopsies each year. The entire Department is fully PACS-integrated, and softcopy reading is the standard.
We offer fellowship opportunities employing a flexible program incorporating the areas of Body CT, Body MRI, GI, GU, and Ultrasound. It is possible to elect a balanced program involving all five areas or to tailor the program to best meet the needs of the individual fellow. Specifically, a fellow may elect to do up to 6 months in any one discipline. Involvement in research projects is encouraged. Currently, faculty members are involved in research in ultrasound contrast agents, cardiac MR imaging, liver MR, screening for pancreatic cancer and MR spectroscopy for prostate cancer. To be eligible for appointment, a fellowship candidate must have completed an accredited residency in Diagnostic Radiology, must be board-eligible or board-certified at the time of the fellowship year, and be eligible for a full NC medical license. Foreign-born physicians who are not US citizens must have a J1 visa or a green card.
If you are interested in applying for our fellowship program, please contact Dr. Julia Fielding at the address below. Send your application at the appropriate time, usually September or October, along with copies of your undergraduate and medical school diplomas, a copy of your USMLE board scores and three letters of reference (one letter from your residency program director and one from your chairman) to:
Julia R. Fielding, MD
c/o Ms. Virginia Butler
Campus Box 7510
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Tel: 919-966-4292