Residency Program Director: Raju Raval, MD, DPHIL
The Ohio State University Radiation Oncology provides a complete spectrum of radiation therapy modalities, so all technical skills can be learned in an optimal setting. This includes: gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery, linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery, ample gynecologic and genitourinary brachytherapy, a varied and robust pediatric experience, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and proton radiation therapy. Our $1.1 billion dollar Comprehensive Cancer Center, constructed in 2014, provides an ideal environment to acquire and hone your skills. The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center where medical and surgical oncologists are in close proximity to radiation oncology colleagues, providing the ideal environment for clinical, education, and research interactions. In addition, we also treat patients at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, with a focus on Breast Cancer care. The newly opened (2023) James Outpatient Care – Carmenton is where we treat patients with photon and proton therapy. Both of these facilities allow us to provide comprehensive education in all forms and technologies within radiation therapy, where we emphasize the need for radiation oncologists to function as partner in a multidisciplinary cancer medicine team. We treat 3,100+ cases yearly and offer a wide variety of educational experiences. At the cutting edge of technology advances in the field, we are one of the two Varian Training Centers located in the United States. We offer strong clinical, translational, and basic science research mentorship within our department, including many faculty with active and successful laboratory-based research programs funded by the NCI/NIH among other sources of funding. We involve residents by asking them to continually evaluate and improve our educational program through monthly Program Directors meetings, participation in our PEC, as well as GME Committees. Our goal is to graduate residents who are well prepared clinically and desire to be leaders in clinical trials or translational research in the future.
Our Mission
Our mission is to broaden the medical and personal skills of our trainees to enable them to effectively practice medicine in radiation oncology. Our faculty offers a mentor-apprentice educational model in the radiation oncology clinic within The James Cancer Hospital. We provide three preparatory courses: Clinical Radiation Oncology, Radiation Physics and Radiation Biology. The educational component of training is supplemented with weekly chart rounds, cancer center grand rounds, monthly journal club, resident-led case conferences, and morbidity and mortality conferences. The cancer center holds over 14 disease-specific tumor boards and multidisciplinary conferences. Our residents participate in annual mock oral boards and exam reviews to hone their information presentation skills.
Program Aims
The Radiation Oncology Residency Program at The Ohio State University aims to develop clinically skilled and compassionate Radiation Oncologists who have strong interests in leadership and research within the field. We plan to do this with the following program aims:
- Increase resident exposure to procedural based education including GYN and GU brachytherapy, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), Gamma Knife radiosurgery, LINAC-based radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), ocular plaque brachytherapy, and intravenous radiation therapy (Radium-223, theraspheres) among other modalities.
- Increase resident protected time for clinical, translational, and basic science research along with mentorship and financial Departmental support for these activities.
- Invest further in a variety of educational approaches.
- Further develop resident and attending/service team relationships.
Academic Experience
The Radiation Oncology Residency Program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is an advanced, four-year program (36 months clinical, 12 months research) certified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). We have a total of 10 residents, admitting 2 or 3 residents in alternating years.
Clinical Rotations
Our residents work with approximately 25 subspecialty-trained radiation oncologists throughout their residency on their clinical rotations, as well as a highly-skilled team consisting of Medical Physicists, Radiation Biologists, Radiation Therapists, Dosimetrists, Certified Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, and Personal Care Attendants. The rotations are disease-site based and are in accordance with the separate sections of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) board examinations.
Competencies and Didactics
Competencies are taught by discussion and teaching sessions with faculty, conference participation, grand rounds, tumor boards, Journal Clubs, M&M, and clinical rotations. Didactic lectures are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings with dedicated protected time (i.e. resident responsibilities are transferred to attendings and Certified Nurse Practitioners) between 8:00-9:00am. The didactic topics are coordinated into blocks, organized by disease site, and are scheduled to ensure each resident will be exposed to every lecture topic at least three times prior to the ABR Examinations. Didactics are faculty-taught, with opportunities throughout each block for resident-lead introductory lectures, Journal Club, Contouring Sessions, ABR Oral Board Style sessions, and Resident Case Conference. Additionally, residents are provided protected lecture time for Medical Physics, Radiation Biology, and Dosimetry lectures on Thursday afternoons from 3:00-5:00pm. These lectures are taught by our Medical Physicists and Radiation Biologists, who are experts in their field, and are beneficial for those residents preparing to take their ABR Board exams in Medical Physics and Radiation Biology.
Research and Electives
Protected research time and elective rotations are offered to residents entering their third year of residency. Residents are asked to submit a research proposal, which is reviewed by our Research Committee, and allows the resident to focus on specific areas of interest and research projects. Residents are encouraged to experience a variety of research projects and submit abstracts for conference presentations and publications. Abstract submissions to local and national conferences that lead to oral and poster presentations often receive funding for conference attendance. Holman Pathway is available for appropriate candidates.
Board Study and Certification
In order to gain initial certification, Radiation Oncologists are required to pass 4 separate Board Examinations, through the American Board of Radiology (ABR). These include 3 computer-based exams in Medical Physics, Radiation Biology, and Clinical Radiation Oncology. The final exam is an interactive Oral Certifying Exam. Successful ABR candidates are awarded a continuous ABR specialty certificate in radiation oncology. Residents are given several methods to prepare for these examinations, including didactic sessions, Mock Oral Boards, Board-Preparation software, Board-specific conferences and classes, annual In-Service examinations, and educational study materials. Additional information regarding ABR Board examinations and requirements can be found at The American Board of Radiology website.
Contact Us
For more Information regarding our Residency Programs:
The James Cancer Hospital
460 W. 10th Ave
Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Education Manager: Meg Decker
Phone: 614-293-3255
Email: megan.decker@osumc.edu