The Department of Radiation Oncology offers a variety of academic training opportunities for students, physicians, and researchers. Our residency program provides foundational education and clinical experience for physicians entering the radiation oncology specialty.
Medical students from the UTMB School of Medicine rotate through the department to learn about the field and participate in research projects. Our medical physicists have led international training sessions on advanced radiotherapy techniques, including IMRT treatment planning. Radiation therapists receive hands-on training and instruction from our certified therapists in collaboration with Galveston College’s accredited Radiation Therapy Program.
The residency training program at UTMB offers a variety of unique learning opportunities to prepare graduates for successful careers in radiation oncology, whether in academic medicine or private practice. Residents gain broad clinical exposure through rotations with faculty who specialize in different areas of expertise.
As they progress through the program, residents are given increasing independence in clinical decision-making, culminating in a senior service year that provides significant autonomy with appropriate supervision.
Clinical Training & Advanced Technology
Residents are trained in a wide range of modern radiotherapy techniques, including:
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
- High-Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
This comprehensive training ensures graduates are well prepared to deliver state-of-the-art cancer care.
Diverse Clinical Settings & Partnerships
Through a number of unique partnerships, the program offers patient care experience across multiple clinical settings — from our large tertiary referral center in Galveston to community-oriented hospitals within the Houston area.
Residents also have opportunities to rotate at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, gaining specialized exposure to pediatric oncology and advanced treatment modalities such as proton therapy.
Protected Education & Didactics
Recognizing the balance required to provide high-quality patient care while maintaining academic engagement, UTMB provides protected educational time.
Residents participate in structured didactic sessions led by physics and radiobiology faculty, as well as clinical faculty and peers. Regular educational activities include:
- New patient conferences
- Journal clubs
- Morbidity and mortality conferences
This dedicated time is essential for mastering the complexity of the field.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Research & National Engagement
Opportunities are available to engage in both clinical and translational research projects. Submission of research to national meetings — including those sponsored by The American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and others — is highly encouraged.
Funding is available to support residents who present their work at these meetings.
Rotation Sites
- UTMB – Galveston
- Houston Methodist
- UTMB – TDCJ
- MD Anderson – Pediatric Radiation Oncology Rotation
Ryan Garland, MD
Ali Haider, MD
Vitaliy Davidov, MD,PhD
Melissa S. Greenwald
Coordinator II, Residency Training Program
The University of Texas Medical Branch
301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0711
E: msgreenw@utmb.edu
P: (409) 772-7154
F: (409) 747-0064