The objective of the residency program is to educate and train physicians to be skillful in the practice of radiation oncology and to be caring and compassionate in the treatment of patients. Residents are expected to participate in the development of new knowledge, learn to evaluate research findings, and develop habits of inquiry as a continuing professional responsibility. In an institution where the environment encourages the exchange of knowledge and experience among residents both in the program and in other oncology specialties, training in radiation oncology begins at the PGY 2 level after a transitional year program or postgraduate training in medicine, surgery obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics. Radiation oncologists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary management of the cancer patient, and frequently there is close collaboration with physicians in related disciplines in the management of the patient.

The duration of the training program in radiation oncology is 4 years and, in large part, the core curriculum is clinical. Residents are taught during three-month rotations assigned to a clinical faculty member in a process of on-going, interactive, one-to-one teaching at Hahnemann University Hospital, Abington Memorial Hospital and Cancer Treatment Centers of America. There are rotations in radiation biology and radiation physics as well as rotations outside the department in medical oncology, pediatrics. As part of the academic program during the four years there are didactics, visiting professor lectures, journal club, on-going pathology conferences and radiology reviews with radiologists in attendance as well as other radiation oncology related programs.

Usha Babaria, M.D.
Residency Program Director