News
Discover inspiring stories from our volunteers, candidates, and community, and stay up to date with important news and announcements on exams, policies, and more.
Fairness is on Her Mind When She Writes Exam Questions
As an interventional radiologist who teaches and performs clinical work, Divya Kumari, MD, keenly understands her role as an ABR volunteer who writes Qualifying (Core) Exam questions. It’s a balancing act. “I have a good idea of what (candidates) should know, particularly diagnostic residents,” she said. “We’re writing questions that they have to be able…
Physicist’s Family Reunion Takes Root in Alabama
After living in every corner of the country while growing up, studying and training to become a medical physicist, and starting her career, Samantha Simiele, PhD, feels at home again. Her job in Northern Alabama is a long way from her Eastern Washington roots. But, for the past year and a half, she’s enjoyed the…
Medical School Student Has Long Held Radiology Dreams
As far back as elementary school in Los Angeles, Chelsea Nwonwu knew what she wanted to do with her life. “I have notes from when I was a kid that asked, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” she said. “And I said, ‘I want to be a radiologist.’ I was asked,…
Volunteer Happy to Jump into Peds Trustee Role
ABR volunteer Sherwin Chan, MD, and his family enjoy traveling. They especially look forward to visiting state and national parks to take in the unique wildlife and stunning vistas. It’s a good thing Dr. Chan is comfortable on the move. At the beginning of March, he made a big jump from committee chair to pediatric…
Cancer Experience Sparked His Interest in Medicine
When he was 14 years old, Cameron Brock, MD, was a typical teen. He was active, enjoying a life spent outdoors in his native Utah. There’s no way he could have imagined what was coming. “All of a sudden, I had a lot of pain in my right leg,” he said. “I wasn’t able to…
After Taxing Match Season, They Get Happy Returns
Last month, physicians and physicists from across the country matched into residency programs. Here are reactions from a few. Parris DiazDiagnostic radiologyResidency match: Stanford Medicine Unlike most Match 2025 applicants, I not only found out I matched on Monday, March 17, but discovered my program by the listed city, state, and zip code. Opening that…
Matching Starts Exciting Chapter in Life of New Resident
By Athena Loiacono, MS Matching into my top-choice radiology program last week was an unforgettable experience, one that was filled with immense excitement and overwhelming relief. Leading up to Match Day, I felt incredibly nervous. Despite working tirelessly throughout medical school, investing countless hours in studying, rotations, and research, there was still that lingering uncertainty….
Volunteer’s Flexible Life Stretches from Beirut to Portland
From Lebanon to Iowa to Oregon, ABR volunteer Nadine Mallak, MD, has built a career rooted in adaptability and a passion for innovation. Dr. Mallak, the clinical director of the PET/MRI program and associate professor of body imaging and nuclear medicine at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), came to the U.S. in 2013 from…
IR/DR Certifying Exam Process Update
On this page DR Exam Changes: Timing Impacts for IR/DR Residents (December 12, 2025) IR/DR Certifying Exam Process Changes Coming in 2029 (March 10, 2025) 2025 December 12 DR Exam Changes: Timing Impacts for IR/DR Residents After months of soliciting feedback from stakeholders, the ABR is making changes to the timing of the Qualifying (Core)…
Seven New Members Joining Board of Trustees This Year
The ABR is welcoming seven members to its Board of Trustees (BOT) this year. Sherwin Chan, MD, PhD, started March 1 as the diagnostic radiology pediatrics representative. John Fritz Angle, MD (interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology), Isabel Cortopassi, MD (diagnostic radiology cardiothoracic imaging), Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA (radiation oncology), Michelle Miller-Thomas, MD (diagnostic radiology neuroradiology), Sameer…
Longtime ABR Volunteer Enjoying Challenge of President’s Role
After filling numerous roles over two decades as an ABR volunteer, Cheri L. Canon, MD, is breaking new ground as the Board of Governors (BOG) president. Dr. Canon ran an ABR board meeting for the first time at the weeklong spring meeting in February. Even with all her experience, she said the task was a…
Veteran Educator Still Learns from His Residents
Working with residents gives ABR volunteer Ronald Arellano, MD, opportunities to pass along knowledge he has gained as a clinical interventional radiologist and educator. It also provides Dr. Arellano, who serves as program director for interventional radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, with chances to learn from his trainees. One especially valuable lesson came from a…
Stakeholder Feedback Driving Planned Improvements
ABR Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, recently sat down to answer a few questions about some of the many initiatives the organization will undertake in 2025. There’s been a lot of discussion about the new diagnostic radiology oral certifying exam, which starts in 2028. What are the biggest priorities in 2025 regarding preparation for…
When Volunteers are Needed, She Enthusiastically Steps Up
Growing up in small-town Pittsburg, Kansas, Jessica Clements wanted to be helpful. In elementary and middle school, she was a Girl Scout and part of a mentorship group. As a high school student, she was active in many clubs, including student government where she was elected class president. Her desire to help makes Jessica, who…