The Department of Radiation Oncology offers a four-year certified training program leading to the American Board of Radiology certification in Radiation Oncology. Candidates are accepted into the program after completion of an approved PGY-1 internship at an ACGME accredited residency. Transitional, surgery or medicine internships are encouraged. The New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center (NYPH/CUMC) is one of the nation's major university medical centers (total bed capacity 1,000) and is a NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Over 2,500 new cancer patients are seen annually at Columbia University Medical Center; 1,100 new patients receive treatment in the Department of Radiation Oncology. The cancer center includes prevention programs, diagnostic services, basic science programs, clinical programs, translational research and support services.

The objective of this training program is to provide individualized training with emphasis on assisting each resident in attaining his/her specific goals of preparing for an active practice in radiation oncology, a research oriented career in academic radiation oncology, and to provide the next generation of superior teachers and leaders in radiation oncology.

Dr. Peter B. Schiff is the director of the training program. He is a physician/scientist and professor of radiation oncology. Close teaching and research interactions are maintained with the Center for Radiological Research, the basic science research laboratories of the department. Dr. Eric Hall, an internationally renowned radiation biologist and physicist, directors the Center. The teaching staff includes: five full-time board certified radiation oncologists, ten Ph.D. level radiation biologists, six Ph.D. radiation physicists, four dosimetrists, oncology nurses, and a clinical research coordinator.

The Radiation Oncology Center at the NYPH / CUMC is a self-contained two-story facility. It is equipped with three computer controlled mega-voltage linear accelerators, Gamma Knife and a digital simulator. All linear accelerators are equipped with multileaf collimators and have electronic digital portal imaging systems. State-of-the-art computerized 3D conformal treatment planning systems, including IMRT and IGRT for localization and treatment delivery are available. The department was the first to offer stereotactic radiosurgery in the New York metropolitan area. The center includes a departmental library, conference room, machine shop, and mold capabilities. Brachytherapy capabilities include a HDR remote afterloader, Henschke and Fletcher-Suit afterloading gynecologic applicators, Iridium-192 ribbons, I-125 and Pd-103 seeds.

The department emphasizes the six ACGME Competencies. These include patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, professionalism and interpersonal and communications skills. Special emphasis is placed on the care of patients participating in national (COG, RTOG, GOG, SWOG, etc) and intramural clinical trials.

Residents are required to attend a series of conferences, tumor boards, grand rounds, and seminars scheduled throughout the week. Case presentations are given by residents with specific references from the appropriate literature to support their therapeutic decisions. Dr. Eric Hall and his basic science faculty give an annual radiation biology course. Formal lectures in radiation physics are held weekly under the direction of Dr. Cheng-Shie Wuu and the medical physics faculty. The educational environmental is further stimulated by monthly elective rotations by medical students from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and other medical schools and housestaff from other oncology subspecialties.

A visiting professor series has allowed outstanding teachers in radiation oncology and scientists in related fields from this country and abroad, to present lectures and to be available for resident-teaching sessions. Residents are encouraged to attend lectures and conferences at other hospitals within the New York City area and to attend monthly meetings of the Radiation Oncology Section of the New York Roentgen Society to further their educational experience.

The residency training program in Radiation Oncology at the NYPH-CUMC successfully blends a small and individualized program with one of the major medical schools and teaching hospitals of the nation in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

Please address all correspondence to the Program Coordinator