Mission 

To develop competent, board-eligible, active-duty Nuclear Medicine physicians prepared to support the military medical mission of increasing readiness through better care and health.

Vision

SAUSHEC Nuclear Medicine will lead the nation as the premier training site for stellar Nuclear Medicine physicians.

Aims

Training within SAUSHEC Nuclear Medicine includes but is not limited to the following critical elements:

• Provide a robust clinical training experience by maximizing both the volume and diversity of fellow caseloads.
• Develop Authorized Users (AUs) able to provide DOD beneficiaries with the therapeutic benefits of emerging NM theranostic techniques as well as train future military AUs.
• Create lifelong learners through modeling of evidence-based medicine and mentorship by faculty actively engaged in research and academic activities.
• Promote continuous practice improvement through quality improvement projects with an emphasis on refining and standardizing care across the DOD.

There is Fellow led once a month Journal clubs conducted at University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio with teleconference to the Nuclear Medicine section at BAMC. Fellow led tumor boards for Gynecology/Oncology and Chest are also conducted once a month. Once a month inter-specialty conference between the Endocrine and Nuclear Medicine are led by Diagnostic Radiology residents with guidance from the Nuclear Medicine Fellow.

Year 1 and 2 is the curriculum for the two-year program. Year 3 is the curriculum for the one-year program.

Abbreviations:

• Body CT = Body Computed Tomography
• Chest CT = Chest Computed Tomography
• Neuro CT = Neuro Computed Tomography
• PET CT = Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography

Designated time for self-directed learning. Can be performed at BAMC, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio or Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center. May include research, vacation, or any other rotation except for Pediatric Nuclear Medicine.

No calls during fellowship training.

The Fellows are required to attend military relevant courses such as the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) and Radiation Emergency Assistance Center Training Site (REAC/TS) Radiation Emergency medicine courses. The MEIR Course is post-graduate level instruction concerning the biomedical consequences of radiation exposure, how the effects can be reduced, and how to medically manage casualties. The training includes nuclear incidents that can occur on or off the battlefield and that go beyond nuclear weapons events. It covers thoroughly all four of the key subjects: health physics, biological effects of radiation, medical/health effects, and psychological effects. The REAC/TS Radiation Emergency is held at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, which emphasizes the practical aspects of initial management of irradiated and/ or contaminated patients through lectures and hands-on, practical exercises. The course focuses on the fundamentals of radiobiology along with the medical care and management of patients involved with radiological and/ or nuclear incidents.

• Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR)
• Radiation Emergency Assistance Center Training Site (REAC/ TS) Radiation Emergency medicine

Annual “SPILL DRILL” simulation directed at radiation safety and health physics as they apply to the practice of nuclear medicine.

Various leadership training and courses are offered at BAMC to include leader development courses provided by Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical School.

The SAUSHEC Nuclear Medicine section prioritizes scholarly activities and fosters an environment of scientific curiosity. Fellows are expected to complete one research project during their fellowship with the goal of publication. The program incentivizes scholarly activities by funding travel for first authors/presenters to attend conferences. Fellows are entitled to one government-sponsored conference per year if their work is accepted. Fellows are granted administrative time, elective time, and dedicated research time to develop new research projects, or they may choose to join an ongoing project.

Fellows are expected to participate in quality improvement/patient safety (QIPS) projects. Fellows frequently identify processes or systems that could be improved. Some Fellows may have the opportunity to participate in a real or simulated Root Cause Analysis.

Fellows engage in professional development in tumor boards, risk management meetings, internal Nuclear Medicine section meetings, GME subcommittees, joint conferences, and round table leadership discussions.

Nuclear Medicine faculty provide ad hoc professional development lessons at the workstation and in the performance of clinical duties.

• Brooke Army Medical Center
• Children’s National Medical Center
• Texas Children’s Hospital
• University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center

Medical students can schedule a Nuclear Medicine rotation through their Diagnostic Radiology rotation. Potential candidates other than medical students can schedule personalized Nuclear Medicine rotations by contacting the Program Coordinator at dha.jbsa.brooke-amc.list.saushec-nucmed@health.mil.

Please contact the Program to schedule an interview: dha.jbsa.brooke-amc.list.saushec-nucmed@health.mil. Be sure to forward your CV and personal statement to the Program Director a couple of days prior to the interview. On the day of your interview, please be punctual and arrive at the Program Director’s office in your dress uniform. Interviews via telephone is also an option.

Program graduates take the American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM) and must pass to become board certified. This exam is offered annually. To be eligible to take specialty board exams, graduates must complete all pre-requisites required by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine by the date of graduation. Program applicants are encouraged to read Training Requirements for the ABNM Certifying Examination - ABNM

Fellows participate in fellow-to-resident and medical student teaching daily at the workstation. Additionally, fellows participate in inter-departmental joint conferences.

Fellows also present formal lectures and journal club discussions.

Diagnostic Radiology, Family Medicine

The Fellows are mentored by the faculty daily. Official mentorship is available upon request.

Fellows do not take call during training. The typical workday usually does not exceed 8 working hours, which gives Fellows the opportunity to focus on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The Program Director continuously strives to improve resident wellness.