Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that focuses on treating oncology patients with radiation. Both pediatric and adult patients are treated in the practice of radiation oncology.

The majority of these patients have a malignancy, which may be involving any site or organ system. A limited number of patients are treated for benign conditions. The typical practice setting is a hospital-based community or academic practice. External beam therapy with either a photon beam or an electron beam, focused on the site of the tumor, is most commonly utilized. Brachytherapy (or implanting a radioactive source directly in the tumor) is also employed in a smaller portion of patients.

Residency Training

Duration of training: Five years (internship plus 4 years)
Number of programs nationally: 91 programs (2020)
Number of entering residency positions per year: 189 (for PGY2 in 2020)
Types of fellowships or subspecialties: Several fellowships and no subspecialties. There are no board certifications for completing a fellowship
Type of Match: Regular
Overall competitiveness:
This has historically been a difficult match for the "average" student, but has become less competitive over the last several matching cycles

Primary Faculty Contact for M1s and M2s

Clerkship Program Director: Dr. Michelle Kim
michekim@umich.edu
734-647-3142

Clerkship Program Coordinator: Samantha Harbarcuk
harbars@med.umich.edu
734-647-3142

Medical Student Club or Interest Group

Radiation Oncology Student Interest Group: Neil Vaishampayan neilvee@med.umich.edu

(Facilitators: 1-2 medical students each academic year)
(Advisors: Chief Residents each academic year)

2023-2024 Chief Residents: Dr. Daniel Herr, Dr. Donna Edwards, Dr. Jamie Takayesu

Shadowing or Mentoring Experiences Available to M1s or M2s

Clerkship Program Director: Dr. Michelle Kim
michekim@umich.edu
734-936-7810