The department of Radiology at UMKC offers several different electives for those preparing for radiology, as well as other residencies. Rotations occur at Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, University Health, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Below are the steps to signing up for an elective in radiology at UMKC:
- Read descriptions below and chose a radiology elective.
- Contact the rotation coordinator to see if the rotation is available.
- Once a UMKC or outside student has determined that a rotation is available, sign up through the UMKC SOM here.
General Diagnostic Radiology Rotations
Saint Luke’s Hospital: The diagnostic radiology elective at St Luke’s Hospital is for highly motivated medical students interested in careers in radiology. It is also well-suited for students looking for a broad exposure to radiology prior to residency in another specialty. Students will rotate through the major subspecialties in radiology and gain experience in radiologic anatomy, basic radiologic pathology and appropriate ordering of examinations. Students will also gain insight into the patient experience by spending time with technologists in each of the imaging areas. Students will make a presentation on a subject of their choice at the end of the rotation.
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Fernie Bahena
fbahena@saint-lukes.org
or (816) 932-3577.
Please click here for the elective information.
University Health 
: Medical students on the radiology rotation at University Health will spend time in an inpatient setting, shadowing a radiologist (resident and/or faculty) in both diagnostic and interventional areas (primarily diagnostic). Students will also gain insight into the patient experience by spending time with technologists and will collect four interesting cases to present to staff. Students are expected to be in the radiology reading room throughout the day, are given suggested readings to supplement their learning experience and will take a quiz at the end of the rotation.
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Please click here for the elective information.
Kansas City VA Medical Center: This rotation is most useful for those wanting a broad, 
general exposure to radiology. Medical students at the Kansas City VA initially work closely with technologists in a particular field ( X-ray, U/S, CT, MRI, NM – in that order) two-four mornings each week, followed by two-four mornings “shadowing” a radiologist interpreting imaging in that particular field at the radiologist’s work station. Afternoons primarily consist of computer-based self-learning along with the occasional lecture/informal teaching (interpreting radiographs, radiation safety, etc.).
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Rachel Brantley
rachel.brantley@va.gov
or (816) 861-4700, ext. 52425.
Please click here for the elective information.
Interventional Radiology
Saint Luke’s Hospital: This rotation is most useful for those wanting exposure to interventional procedures, including students considering careers in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology and surgery. Medical students on the interventional rotation will spend time with interventional radiology faculty and residents assisting with patient care and procedures. Interested students may request research opportunities.
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Fernie Bahena
fbahena@saint-lukes.org
or (816) 932-3577.
Please click here for the elective information.
Neuroradiology Rotations
Saint Luke’s Hospital: This rotation is most useful for those wanting exposure to diagnostic neuroradiology and interventional neuroradiology including students considering careers in neurology, diagnostic radiology and neurointerventional radiology. Medical students on the neuroradiology rotation will spend time with neuroradiology faculty, fellows and residents in both diagnostic and interventional areas. Interested students may request extra time in Interventional Neuroradiology and research. Successful completion of the General Diagnostic Radiology Elective is required before taking the Saint Luke’s Neuroradiology elective, unless granted special permission by the course director
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Fernie Bahena
fbahena@saint-lukes.org
or (816) 932-3577
Please click here for the elective information.
University Health: This rotation is most useful for those wanting exposure to diagnostic neuroradiology, including students considering careers in neurology and diagnostic radiology. Medical students on the neuroradiology rotation will spend time with neuroradiology faculty and residents in diagnostic radiology. Students will also gain insight into the patient experience by spending time with technologists, as well as collect and discuss interesting cases to present to staff. Students are expected to be in the radiology reading room throughout the day and are given suggested readings to supplement their learning experience.
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Please click here for the elective information.
Pediatric Radiology
Children’s Mercy: The rotation in pediatric radiology is most useful for those wanting a broad exposure to pediatric radiology, including those considering a career in pediatrics or diagnostic radiology. Students will observe technologists obtain imaging studies, observe radiologists interpret and report studies, generate reports for unknown cases, present interesting cases, complete online modules and attend teaching conferences. There will be a pre-test and post-test, as well as a presentation on a topic of the students’ choice at the end of the rotation. Interested students may request extra time in various subspecialties, such as Interventional and neuroradiology.
To check on availability of this rotation, please contact:
Holly Frey
hlfrey@cmh.edu
(816) 346-1367.
Please click here for the elective information.
Research Rotations
Children’s Mercy:
Students interested in performing pediatric radiology research may sign up for a one-month rotation based on availability and pre-approval of a project by a staff radiologist. Interested students must plan the rotation at least one month in advance and can begin the process by making an appointment with Amie Robinson at alrobinson@cmh.edu.
Thoracic Imaging
Saint Luke’s Hospital: The Thoracic Imaging elective is available with special permission from the Thoracic Imaging section chief and after the successful completion of the General Diagnostic Radiology elective at Saint Luke’s. It is most useful for students desiring exposure to thoracic imaging, including those considering careers in diagnostic radiology and pulmonology. Medical students on the thoracic imaging rotation will attend 7:30 a.m. radiology lectures and spend time with thoracic radiology faculty and residents learning about chest imaging techniques, anatomy and pathology, such as evaluation of pulmonary nodules and neoplasms.
Interested students may check on availability of this rotation by contacting:
Fernie Bahena fbahena@saint-lukes.org
or (816) 932-3577.
Please click here for the elective information.
Breast Radiology
Liberty Hospital Breast Care Center: This rotation will introduce medical students to a range of screening and diagnostic breast imaging modalities, as well as basic anatomy and introduction to breast procedures. The student observes the daily schedule in the Liberty Hospital Breast Care Center, including digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and image-guided procedures. The student will understand the basic management of benign and malignant breast disease as well as the interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of breast cancer.
To check on the availability of this rotation, please contact:
Amy Patel, MD at amy.patel@libertyhospital.org or 816-792-7089