Breast Imaging

Tiffany Chan, MD
Program Director
[email protected]

The Breast Imaging Fellowship at UCLA is a state of the art, comprehensive training program that was first established in 1987. Founded by Dr. Lawrence Bassett, one of the “Fathers of Breast Imaging” who was instrumental in the development of BI-RADs as well as Breast Imaging gaining recognition as its own subspecialty, our fellowship was one of the first Breast Imaging fellowships in the United States.

Our section has a rich history of setting the standard for Breast Radiology nationwide. UCLA was the first in the United States to use mammography in 1928. We were also the first breast imaging center to offer breast ultrasound and receive accreditation, and the first dedicated mammography center in Los Angeles. In addition, we were the first breast center in California to convert completely to digital mammography. We are also a leader in breast MRI (the Linguini Sign was discovered here!).

There are 6 dedicated fellowship positions for the 2024-2025 year.

Clinical Experience

We offer a wide range of clinical experiences. Our fellows spend the year equally at three different sites: UCLA Westwood, UCLA Santa Monica, and Olive View-UCLA, our county hospital. As a result, our trainees gain valuable experience with diverse patient populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The fellowship is comprised of a well-rounded screening and diagnostic education in all modalities of breast imaging, including digital 2D and 3D tomosynthesis mammography, breast sonography, and breast magnetic resonance imaging. We perform all image-guided breast procedures, including aspirations, biopsies, preoperative needle localizations (including new wireless techniques such as radiofrequency identification reflectors), and ductography.

Our fellows participate in Breast Radiology call, taken a week at a time with a breast radiology attending. They are responsible for preliminary interpretation of stat breast ultrasounds, serve as a consult for diagnostic radiology residents on call, and read screening mammograms. All UCLA fellows also participate in Acute Care Imaging call throughout the academic year. This is an excellent opportunity to retain general radiology skills. The requirements typically consist of two weekend shifts (Sat/Sun) as well as two weeks of night float.

Educational Experience

The fellowship provides our fellows with several formal educational opportunities in addition to their clinical experience.

• Monthly resident breast noon conference
• Quarterly journal club
• Weekly multidisciplinary tumor board
• Teaching responsibilities to medical students and radiology residents as clinical instructors, which include an acute care imaging lecture, annual departmental radiology-pathology grand rounds, and resident hot seats
• Biweekly didactic lecture series (below are topics covered in the 2022-2023 series)

  Digital breast tomosynthesis BI-RADS Screening in average risk women Screening in high-risk women Benign breast masses Breast pain and high-risk lesions Complex cystic and solid lesions Male breast disease Pregnant and lactating women Implants

  Mammographic signs of systemic disease Transgender breast imaging Paget’s disease Axillary lymph nodes Breast MRI Radiology-pathology correlation AI in breast imaging Breast cancer genomic profiling The post-operative breast

Research Experience

Fellows have many opportunities to lead and participate in research projects with the support of our faculty. They will present their project at the UCLA Annual Resident and Fellow Research Day and are also encouraged to present at national conferences.

Click here for a list of previous fellows published articles

HOW TO APPLY

Contact Information