Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Diagnostic Imaging Residency Program

The Diagnostic Imaging Residency Program at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University provides comprehensive postgraduate clinical training in veterinary diagnostic imaging across small and large animal medicine. Designed to prepare residents for leadership in academic and specialty practice settings, the program emphasizes advanced clinical proficiency, collaborative learning, research, and preparation for board certification through the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Over the course of 38 months, residents gain extensive hands-on experience in:

  • Small and large animal radiology
  • Ultrasound
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Computed tomography (CT)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Special imaging procedures
  • Diagnostic imaging physics and radiation biology

Residents work closely with board-certified radiologists through daily clinical service, rounds, seminars, and case discussions while progressively developing the independence necessary to manage a busy diagnostic imaging service with minimal supervision.

Program Highlights

  • 38-month postgraduate clinical residency
  • Broad training across all major imaging modalities
  • Extensive hands-on clinical experience
  • Progressive responsibility in clinical case management
  • Research and publication requirement
  • Preparation for ACVR board eligibility
  • Opportunities to teach and mentor veterinary students
  • Training in both small and large animal imaging
  • Access to the NIH-supported REVEAL academic enrichment program

Clinical Training

The residency begins each July and currently supports seven residents in training. Appointments are renewed annually based on satisfactory performance.

Year One

The first two months focus on technical training in all imaging modalities for both small and large animals. Residents then transition into rotating clinical assignments.

Rotational Schedule

Following the initial training period, residents rotate through:

  • Radiography & Nuclear Medicine: 2–3 week blocks
  • Ultrasound: 2 week blocks
  • CT & MRI: 1 week each

Overall Residency Distribution

Approximately:

  • 40% — Radiology floor, special procedures, and nuclear medicine
  • 30% — Ultrasound
  • 30% — CT and MRI

Research & Academic Development

Residents are required to complete a clinical research project under the mentorship of diagnostic imaging faculty and publish their findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The program is specifically designed to develop future:

  • Clinical specialists
  • Academic educators
  • Investigators and researchers

Graduates are prepared for careers in:

  • Academic veterinary medicine
  • Private specialty referral practice
  • Advanced diagnostic imaging centers

Upon successful completion of the residency, candidates receive a certificate of residency training and become eligible to apply for the qualifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

ACVR Training Requirements

The residency fulfills and exceeds minimum American College of Veterinary Radiology training standards.

Residency Duration

  • ACVR minimum: 36 months
  • Tufts program: 38 months

Minimum Clinical Requirements

  • Small animal radiography: 12 months
  • Large animal radiography: 6 months
  • Ultrasound: 6 months
  • Alternative imaging: 3 months
  • Total on-clinic time: 30 months minimum

Facilities & Advanced Imaging Technology

Residents train using advanced diagnostic imaging systems within a fully digital, filmless DICOM environment linked through a Carestream PACS server.

Imaging Equipment Includes

  • Three digital radiographic suites
    • Including one digital fluoroscopy system
  • Two Philips Epiq Elite ultrasound systems
  • One Toshiba Aplio ultrasound system
    • Color, duplex, and Power Doppler capabilities
  • Toshiba Aquilion 16-slice CT scanner
  • Toshiba Exceed LB 160-slice CT system with Qalibra sliding gantry platform for standing equine CT
  • Philips Ingenia 3 Tesla MRI with large animal table
  • IS2 digital nuclear medicine camera with Mirage acquisition/processing station

Application Information

Applications are submitted through the AAVC Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).

For further information, contact Dr. Amy Sato, Program Director.

Tufts University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.