DR Holman

The American Board of Radiology recognizes the shortage of physician investigators in diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology. To address this shortage, a research pathway has been designed for individuals to simultaneously train in diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology and in basic science, clinical, or transitional investigation. This new pathway is called the "ABR Holman Research Pathway," named for B. Leonard Holman, M.D., who first proposed this initiative.

Below is an overview of the program requirements.
For more detailed information, contact ABR.

The Holman Pathway is recommended only for physicians who are planning careers that focus primarily on basic science or clinical research. It is designed for the exceptional trainee. Entry implies a commitment to its completion and to a research career. Physicians not planning careers as outlined here should pursue the standard five years of training. (Trainees who leave the research pathway must also complete the standard five years of training, including four years of diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology.)

Clinical patient responsibilities (PGY 1)	A minimum of 9 months of direct patient care in the PGY-1 year is required in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery or surgical subspecialties, OB-GYN, neurology, family practice, emergency medicine, or any combination of these (ACGME-approved).
Clinical radiology training (PGY 2, 3, 4, 5)	27 months of full-time clinical radiology (defined as diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology) is required, which can include three months in PGY 1.
Research training/experience (80%) (PGY-2, 3, 4, 5)	21 months of research time, with twenty percent of this time devoted to clinical radiology training (defined as diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology), is allowed. During this 21-month period, trainees are also required to assume clinical responsibilities (including on-call). A minimum of 18 months of research is required to successfully complete the Holman Pathway. The approved candidate can also take 3 months of research during the PGY 1 year, for a total of 24 months.
Clinical training during research (20%)	The equivalent of 1 day per week.
Total training	5 years —The program director must be aware of the importance of the trainee’s clinical performance over the five-year period. Annually, the program director must attest that each trainee in the pathway has maintained satisfactory progress in clinical performance.

When to apply

The applicant can apply in the final year of medical school or in PGY 1 or 2 of training. Completed applications must be submitted by April 15th, August 15h and December 15th.

ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH QUALITY

Trainee
The trainee must show evidence of a commitment to a research career. The following are some criteria that might be used to evaluate that commitment:

Record of participation in basic or clinical research
Record of publications and patents
Having acquired a graduate degree, such as a Ph.D. or M.P.H.
Record of presentations at scientific meetings
Honors and awards

Research Mentor
The research mentor should be a successful investigator with an active research program and peer-reviewed research funding. The mentor must accept responsibility for supervision of the research experience, including annual evaluation of the trainee’s research progress.

Environment for Research Training
A research environment suitable for a productive research experience must exist. This should include adequate space, equipment and funding for the research as well as a critical mass of productive researchers identifiable by grants, and publications in peer-reviewed journals (plus evidence of the quality of those journals and their stature in the discipline).

Goals
There should be well-defined goals for all research trainees. There should be a detailed description of a research program for educational experiences including course work for research careers, possibly leading to graduate degrees.(Individuals with previous graduate degrees might be especially good candidates for the research pathway.)

Application Requirements

Formal proposal from the trainee, describing goals and content of the research program.
Supporting letter from the department chair, indicating trainee’s ability to achieve clinical competence in the abbreviated time, and guaranteeing availability of and support for research time.
Signed commitment from the research mentor to guide and supervise the research trainee. (If the research director is a different person than the residency training director, the training director must include a letter supporting the research trainee.)
A dean's letter from the applicant's medical school.
The trainee’s USMLE scores.

Download your Holman Pathway form here.

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