Narayan Sundaram, MD MBA
Assistant Professor of Radiology
Narayan Sundaram, MD
Fellowship Program Director
The Musculoskeletal Imaging Fellowship at the University of Chicago Medical Center is a one-year non-accredited clinical training program constituting a closely supervised experience in the application and interpretation of imaging examinations and procedures as they relate to the analysis of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, and soft tissues. One position is offered per year.
The Musculoskeletal Radiology Section offers state-of-the-art multimodality imaging and image-guided interventional procedures for the patients of the University of Chicago Medical Center. The busy Orthopaedic Oncology Service has long been an example of a team-approach to patient care, and the Musculoskeletal Radiology Section provides comprehensive services as part of the University of Chicago Musculoskeletal Oncology Group, including CT and US guided bone/soft tissue biopsies, as well as radiofrequency ablation procedures. The radiologists also work closely with the Section of Sports Medicine to offer imaging services including to elite athletes, such as professional basketball players and college athletes. The section also works closely with the Section of Rheumatology to diagnose complex disorders of joints. The University of Chicago is the busiest trauma center in Chicago and the fellow is exposed to complex trauma patients.
Facilities: The Musculoskeletal Radiology reading rooms are located on the 4th floor of the Duchosoiss Center for Advanced Medicine (“DCAM”). A team of dedicated orthopaedic radiology technologists are located adjacent to the reading rooms, and provide services for the orthopaedic surgery and rheumatology clinics. We also interpret radiographs as well as CT and MRI examinations obtained on the 1st floor of the DCAM (outpatients), in Mitchell Hospital (inpatients), the Center for Care and Discovery (“CCD” – inpatients and emergency room patients) and multiple off-site clinics. Joint injections and aspirations are generally performed in the fluoroscopy suite in DCAM 1C. Ultrasound examinations, as well as CT-guided procedures, are performed in Mitchell Hospital and the CCD.
Work schedule: Our section operates from 8am until at least 5pm, Monday through Friday. Although the fellow is expected to protocol, review and interpret MRI and CT studies under direct faculty supervision, we also strongly encourage him/her to take advantage of the vast array of pathology encountered on “conventional” radiographs. The fellow also should be involved with most of the procedures performed by the section, either directly or (later during the year) in a supervisory role.
Systems training: Systems training will occur with a member of the IT department.
Introduction to staff: The MSK section consists of Dr. Scott Stacy, Dr. Narayan Sundaram, Dr. Ibrahim Karademir, and Dr. Chris Straus. Introduction to the technologists will occur during the first couple of weeks of the fellowship.
Educational responsibilities: In addition to contributing to the sectional teaching file and teaching residents and medical students at the workstation, the fellow will be expected to participate in the following conferences:
- Rheumatology conference
- Noon conference for the residents
- Orthopaedic Oncology conference
- MSK MRI conference
- Sports Medicine MRI conference
- Pediatric Rheumatology conference
- Formal lectures to medical students
- Technologist in-service lectures
QI activity: The fellow is expected to participate in the section’s Quality Improvement projects.
Vacation and meeting: The fellow receives 4 weeks (20 days) of vacation leave, 5 sick days, 5 meeting days, and 5 interview days. Time away for vacation, meeting and interview needs to be pre-approved by the section chief and formally documented on the sectional calendar
Expense reimbursement: An educational stipend of $1500 is provided.
Clinical imperatives: As we strive to provide timely service to our clinical colleagues, all dictations must be signed before leaving work.
Method of evaluation: Fellows are evaluated quarterly through MedHub, the online evaluation system.
Preliminary goals for the year: The fellow is expected to develop and complete at least one project (clinical, educational, or research) of benefit to the section, with assistance as needed from the faculty. Potential projects will be formulated/initiated by the end of the first month of the fellowship; subsequently, the fellow will be offered dedicated academic time to pursue his/her project if appropriate.
Intranet: The fellow will be introduced to the radiology intranet (including departmental policies) and other computer-based applications during the early part of the fellowship. Articles are provided (in .pdf form) for the benefit of the fellow.
How to Apply: Our Musculoskeletal Imaging Fellowship participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). The Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR) will serve as the sponsoring organization with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), managing the match process. Please visit the Society of Skeletal Radiology website and NRMP Website for more information.
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) will be accepted starting November 1, 2023. Please note that, in accordance with SCARD recommendations and NRMP timelines, no formal interviews will be conducted before January 8, 2024 and interviews will be completed by March 31, 2024.
Applicants should apply using the University of Chicago MSK application below. All applications must be complete (including letters of recommendation, address to Dr. Narayan Sundaram) to be considered. Candidates must be board certified or board qualified in diagnostic radiology and must be eligible to obtain a state of Illinois medical license.
Please scan and email your completed application including required materials and letters of recommendation to Lee Brauer at nbrauer@uchicagomedicine.org.
Click here for the MSK application.
Faculty
Gregory Scott Stacy, MD
Professor of Radiology
Section Chief, Musculoskeletal Radiology
Christopher Straus, MD
Professor of Radiology
Director, Medical Student Education
Narayan Sundaram, MD MBA
Assistant Professor of Radiology
Fellowship Program Director, Musculoskeletal Radiology
Ibrahim Karademir, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology