Mission

The mission of the Tripler Army Medical Center Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program is to educate, train, and prepare Medical Corps Radiologists to support the Military and Public Health Systems, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services. This nests with our institution's Mission and Vision. Mission: TAMC Delivers Trusted, World-Class Care to Ensure the Optimal Readiness and Health of our 'Ohana' [Family].

Vision

To be the Premier Healthcare System of Choice, Harmonizing Readiness and Healthcare Across the Pacific.

Aims

• To provide comprehensive training all aspects of diagnostic radiology.
• To foster a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning.
• To emphasize evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills in image interpretation and patient management.
• To offer opportunities for research and scholarly activity to advance the field of radiology.
• To promote interdisciplinary collaboration with other healthcare professionals to optimize health care.
• To support resident well-being and professional development through mentorship, feedback, and work-life balance initiatives.

Daily conferences are as follows:

• Morning Conference: 7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
• Noon Conference: 12:15 -1 p.m.

Our residents can use elective time to conduct research, rotate in any of the core rotations, or rotations at the VA and Kaiser.

• Short Call – R1(2nd half of year) – R4 Resident covers 4 - 7:30 p.m. R1 residents are under the direct supervision of a staff radiologist.
• Night Float – R2-R4 Resident scheduled one-week rotations from 7:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. These are independent call shifts with staff available by phone and in-person readouts completed by 7:30 a.m.
• Weekend Days – 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. R2-R4 Residents scheduled on a rotating basis. Independent call shift.
• Interventional Radiology resident covers the pager when on service with one day off per week.

The Island of Oahu is home to many active line units with major bases for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps due to our strategic location in the Pacific. Being the only radiology residency program in Hawaii, our residents see a diverse patient population of over 250,000 active military, family members and other beneficiaries to include retirees, VA beneficiaries, and pacific islanders. We also serve as a referral center for beneficiaries remotely stationed around the Pacific Rim. Our residents see a wide spectrum of common military specific problems as well as untreated, advanced stage diseases and parasitic diseases from an indigenous population with limited access to healthcare through the Pacific Island Health Care Program. Our residents also have opportunities for additional training in trauma, and various military schools. Graduating seniors participate in weapons qualification, and an annual capstone military training simulation experience.

• Chest Radiology
• Abdominal Radiology
• Pediatric Radiology
• Musculoskeletal Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Mammography
• Ultrasound/OB US
• Neuroradiology
• Interventional Radiology
• Cardiac Imaging

• Mock Call Simulation occurs on an annual basis for PGY2s/R1s.
• Mock contrast reaction simulation annually for R1.
• Hands-on fluoroscopy and interventional practice sessions.

Residents are given opportunities for progressive leadership opportunities at the resident level, department level, the hospital level, and at the state/national level through the American College of Radiology Hawaii chapter Resident and Fellow Section. These leadership roles include organizing events, committee membership, Process Improvement/Quality Improvement projects, advocating for improvement and collaboration among colleagues. PGY5s also have an opportunity to be elected chief resident.

At least one scholarly project is required for each resident to graduate. Resources are provided by the Department of Clinical Investigations and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences as allowed by the Army. The department will also attempt to support all travel for presentations at national conferences as funds are made available.

Our program focuses on equipping residents with the knowledge and skills to enhance patient care, optimize workflow efficiency, and minimize errors in radiology practice. We do by incorporating Quality Improvement principles and methodologies into the residency curriculum, including didactic lectures, workshops, and case-based discussion. We also provide residents with opportunities to participate in QI projects within the department.

Residents are afforded the opportunity to attend the Army Junior Leadership Course and Captain’s Career Course, dependent on resident standing, course selection and availability.

Tripler Army Medical Center

Tripler Army Medical Center is the primary teaching institution for the program. We have board certified radiologists in a wide variety of sub-specialties and all are involved in resident education. All major imaging modalities are available, and equipment is upgraded on a regular basis, to keep up with changes in technology and patient care needs.

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System

The VA rotation is a one-month long experience in teleradiology available to R3 and R4 residents. Residents will participate in the evaluation and interpretation of Department of Veterans Affairs patients from a variety of remote VA facilities. All faculty are American Board of Radiology certified with many who are fellowship trained with additional certification. There is no call, after hours, or overnight responsibilities at this site.

Kaiser Foundation Hospital (Moanalua)

Residents rotating at Kaiser Moanalua will receive an increased exposure to Iodine 131 therapies, which supplement the exposure at Tripler and ensures that the minimum case numbers are achieved before graduation. Residents can attend a month-long elective rotation in neuroradiology, nuclear radiology, interventional radiology, or neuro-interventions. There is no call, after hours, or overnight responsibilities at this site.

Many students rotate through our department. Typical rotations are 4 weeks in duration. Funding may be available for Health Professions Scholarship Program students on active duty training. Temporary Duty funding may be available for Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences students. Many come at their own expense. Students rotate through many of the subspecialty areas, daily, with elective time available.

Giving a short presentation is highly encouraged, but not required.

To arrange a rotation or for more information, please visit our medical student information page.

Research and familiarize yourself with our program, curriculum, facilities, and unique features. Living in Hawaii is a unique experience so let us know your familiarity with the location. The interview is a great opportunity for us to get to know you, but it is also for you to get to know us, so ask us questions!

Program graduates take the American Board of Radiology Qualifying Core and Certifying Exams. The Qualifying Core Exam is to be taken at the end of PGY4. To become fully board certified, applicants are eligible to take the Certifying Exam 15 months after completion of program. To be eligible to take specialty board exams, graduates must complete all pre-requisites required and can be accessed through the ABR certification website.

Residents take an active role in teaching starting in R1. Residents teach rotating medical students, interns, and other trainees at the workstation. Residents also take a teaching role during case conferences, journal clubs, introduction to radiology anatomy, and tumor boards. Senior residents also participate in the simulated call and contrast reaction events every year.

Residents may choose to participate in teaching ultrasound skills to interested medical students at the University of Hawaii.

We have faculty radiologists who sub-specialize in:

• musculoskeletal radiology
• mammography
• interventional radiology
• cardiac imaging
• nuclear medicine
• neuroradiology
• pediatric radiology

A 1:1 faculty to resident ratio offers residents opportunity for mentorship from one or several faculty members. These relationships are more successful when mutually agreed upon by the mentor and mentee rather than being assigned. Upper-level residents are also very valuable as mentors. Formal mentorships can be arranged at the request of the resident.

Multiple social events and gatherings occur in annual basis and are cherished traditions of the program such as the welcome breakfast for R1s, Chief BBQ, resident retreat, and graduation dinner. There is also a resident “wellness chair” who is part of the hospital wellness committee and helps to organize competitive events with other residency programs, and informal get-togethers outside of work. Formal and informal mental health care and counseling are available to all residents at no charge. Leadership also works to maintain an environment that is safe, inclusive, and encouraging of success.