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Radiology

Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroradiology Fellowship Program

Welcome to the Section of Neuroradiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin at Milwaukee! The Neuroradiology Fellowship Program at MCW-Milwaukee is ACGME-accredited and offers well-rounded training in day-to-day care/functions as well as advanced Neuroradiology. The program emphasizes a deeper level of understanding of neuroscience and neuroradiology through structured didactic lectures and interdisciplinary conferences. Trainees also get exposure to advanced Neuroradiology by participating in pre-surgical functional mapping of eloquent areas of the brain, and by participating in volumetric analysis of the brain in patients with cognitive impairment and dementia. The program believes in an engaging environment and strongly believes in team culture. Follow the program on twitter @MCWNeurorad. For a fun Neuroradiology quiz follow our weekly quiz #MCWNeuroradBTW on Twitter.

Currently Accepting Applications for Fellowship Starting 2026-2027

Overview

Overview

The Neuroradiology Fellowship with the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH) is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that offers comprehensive training in the translation of advanced neuroimaging techniques to the everyday practice of neuroradiology.

  • Exceptional Clinical Application Exposure - This program is highly respected as one of the country’s leaders in the clinical application of fMRI, DTI, MR perfusion, Radial diffusivity, ASL, Segmental brain volume analysis, and Simultaneous integration of the techniques for regional and whole brain analysis.
  • Cutting Edge Technologies - Fellows have access to commercial and proprietary cutting edge technologies from close ties to industry leaders and in-house biomedical research.

  • Experienced Faculty Dedicated to Teaching

  • Diverse Clinical Pathology – Technology and training combined with the diverse clinical pathology of a major metropolitan area prepares fellows to function at the forefront of any academic or private practice environment.

Our fellowship is carefully designed with a formal education structure:

  • Elevated Experience – Emphasis on a deeper level of understanding of neuroradiology that exceeds the residency experience and what can be gleaned from mere quantitative case exposure.
  • Active Learning Methods - The department is proactive in faculty development of modern educational techniques.
Program Leadership

Program Leadership

Three individuals guide the neuroradiology fellowship:

  • Mohit Agarwal, MD, Program Director and Associate Section Chief, emphasis on Head and Neck Imaging, Dementia imaging, fMRI and Advanced Neuroimaging
  • Andrew Klein, MD, Associate Fellowship Director, Section Chief of Neuroradiology
  • Darren O'Neill, MD, Associate Fellowship Director; Vice-Chair of Clinical Operations, Diagnostic Imaging Services; emphasis on MRI

Fourteen additional neuroradiologists contribute to fellowship training:

  • Saad Ali, MD
  • Ryan Beck, MD
  • Casey Bishop, MD
  • Partick Budny, MD
  • Douglas Davis, MD
  • Daniel Destiche, MD
  • Gianna DiGrazia, DO
  • Zaneta Dymon, DO
  • Sonia Gill, MD, emphasis on head and neck imaging
  • John Hamer, MD
  • Christopher Kleefisch, MD
  • Vincent Mathews, MD, department chair
  • David Polinger-Hyman, MD
  • James Strottmann, MD, emphasis on CT perfusion
Clinical Experience

Clinical Experience

The Fellowship is designed to provide extensive clinical experience in interpretation of MR spectroscopy, fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, perfusion/blood volume imaging, CT/PET imaging, neuro-interventional procedures, dementia and biomarker imaging, in addition to conventional neuroradiology imaging studies.

Fellows receive ten weeks of training in each of these areas:

  • Brain and Spine MR
  • Brain and Spine CT
  • Vascular Neuroradiology & Myelography/Degenerative Spine Imaging

The fellows' rotation schedule is constructed in an ongoing cycle throughout the fellowship year:

  • Brain, Head and Neck, Spine MR, Spine CT, and Vascular Neuroradiology and Myelography/Degenerative Spine Imaging with a provision for academic time.

The design of the reading room environment and PACS system forces inter-modality imaging correlation, providing even greater exposure to cases. Each fellow has a four-week rotation of Pediatric Neuroradiology at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Fellows also complete a six-week rotation of Adult Interventional Neuroradiology at Froedtert, to gain experience in catheter-based angiography.

The Froedtert Neurosciences Research Center provides a major infusion of patients with challenging diagnostic problems. Weekly neuroscience conferences bring together neuroradiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropathologists and radiation oncologists to discuss various aspects of neuro diagnosis and therapy.

State-of-the-art Equipment and Technology

Imaging facilities include:

  • Six state-of-the-art Helical CT
  • Six MR scanners on site, with access to an experimental 1.5 and 3.0T imager
  • Three up-to-date Digital Angiography Suites, and a Biplane Neuroangiography Suite with 3D Rotational Angiography
  • State-of-the-art GE as well as Siemens CT (Somatom Plus) and MR (1.5T)

Research and Teaching Opportunities

Research and Teaching Opportunities

Research Opportunities
Fellows have significant opportunities to develop research project(s) in functional imaging, neuropathology, and/or neuroanatomy under the guidance of faculty with diverse research interests. Each fellow is mentored by one or more of the neuroradiology faculty, which provides a wealth of research and publication experience. The Neuroradiology Section overall submits between 10 and 20 manuscripts and/or abstracts per academic year, frequently receiving acceptances and awards.

Teaching Opportunities
Fellows have responsibility for teaching both radiology and non-radiology residents image protocoling, interpretation, and report generation. The fellows review special procedures, and CT and MR examinations with residents and medical students prior to staff read-out sessions. Fellows will also explain imaging procedures to medical students rotating through the service.

Additionally, each fellow is provided opportunities to present case conferences for residents and medical students throughout the fellowship year.

Bi-weekly Lecture Series Dedicated to Fellows

Bi-weekly Lecture Series Dedicated to Fellows

Topics include:

  • Advanced imaging
  • Basic neuroscience and targeted neuroradiologic lectures that explore brain structure and function
  • Brain cutting sessions with the neuropathologist
  • Unique dedicated neuroradiologic M&M conferences that explore the sources and reasons for errors.

Neuroradiologic Teaching File - Fellows are contributors to a teaching file database promoting active learning and providing an extensive learning resource.

Interdepartmental Conferences - Fellows are encouraged to attend the many interdepartmental conferences that focus on brain tumors, epilepsy, and head and neck pathology, including a CPC (clinicopathologic conference), and neurology grand rounds.

Past Fellow Survey Results Awards Recognition

Past Fellow Survey Results Awards Recognition

Past Fellow Survey Results

A recent poll of past fellows indicated:

  • A consistently high degree of satisfaction with their neuroradiology fellowship experience at the Medical College of Wisconsin;
  • They uniformly felt well prepared for whatever practice environment they encountered post training; and
  • Appreciation and gratitude for the unique and stimulating MCW neuroradiology learning environment that would be hard to replicate or find elsewhere.
Awards & Recognition
  • The Department of Radiology was designated a “Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence” by the American College of Radiology. This was the first such award in the Midwest and one of eight initial awards.
  • Froedtert is consistently voted one of the best places to work in Wisconsin, year-in and year-out.
  • Our department is a friendly, stable department, with little turnover at both the professional and staff level.
MCWAH Benefits, Conditions & Terms of Employment

MCWAH Benefits, Conditions & Terms of Employment

The Neuroradiology Fellow position benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, free parking, and a three-week paid vacation. Fellows are allowed up to one week of educational leave, without interruption of pay or benefits, contingent upon the approval by the Program Director. View more information about the benefits, conditions and terms of employment on the MCWAH GME Benefits page.
Eligibility and Application

Eligibility and Application

Currently accepting applications for 2026-2027

Eligibility

  • Candidates must have satisfactorily completed a diagnostic radiology residency program accredited by the ACGME, the RCPSC, or an AOA diagnostic radiology program in ACGME pre-accreditation status.
  • Candidates must be American Board of Radiology (ABR) eligible.
  • Candidates must be eligible to obtain licensure to practice medicine in the State of Wisconsin. A valid license to practice medicine in the State of Wisconsin must be obtained prior to the start the fellowship year.
  • Each Academic Interview Year begins according to the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) schedule for Radiology Fellowships.
  • Candidates are required to register with NRMP for the SMS Neuroradiology Fellowship Match.

Application Documents

Applications for 2025-2026 are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

To apply for Academic Year 2024-2025, please send your CV, LORs and Scores to Alan Pierce at apierce@mcw.edu.

Contact Information

Alan Pierce, Education Program Coordinator III
Department of Radiology
Neuroradiology Fellowship Program
apierce@mcw.edu

Medical College of Wisconsin
9200 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Neuroradiology fellowship faculty
Neuroradiology fellowship faculty group photo

MCW Neuroradiology Fellowship: from our Fellows

Our current Fellows talking about the program and what they think of living in Milwaukee.

Fun part of being at MCW Neuroradiology

At MCW Neuroradiology we take wellness to a whole new level, the level of fun! We believe in making work and education fun. The unique disco ball (yes!) in our reading room is turned on when our reading list goes to zero. We run a weekly Neuroradiology quiz called the Brain Teaser of the Week (Find our quiz on Twitter #MCWNeuroradBTW), the winners of which are declared the NeuroTriWizards (NTWs) for the year. This fun activity gives us the chance to celebrate and we are constantly looking for new restaurants for our award ceremonies, which we finance with our special NeuroFunFund. We also have a Harry Potter themed Roentgen School of Dark Arts where trainees participate with team spirit in educational activities.

Hear from Neuroradiology alumni Dr. Kristin Joachim

Hear from Neuroradiology alumni Dr. Elton Mustafaraj

 

Why become a fellow at MCW?

As a major academic medical center, and the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area, the Medical College of Wisconsin is a distinguished leader in the advanced training of physicians, researchers, pharmacists and health professionals. Together with its top-tier partner institutions, the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH) puts you at the forefront of advancement that’s improving the vitality of society.

People and Programs of MCW Radiology

The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Department of Radiology is a strong, vibrant, diverse program, full of experienced faculty with opportunities in leadership, education, and research. We continue to work hard to build a culture of teamwork and wellness and we value the expertise and experience that each individual brings with them into our program. We pride ourselves on the delivery of world-class, patient-centered diagnostic and interventional radiology services. We use state of the art imaging equipment and our faculty are national leaders in the development and use of new imaging and treatment technologies. We truly believe in helping our learners, faculty, and staff reach their full potential. We offer numerous training opportunities from residency to fellowship. Faculty and trainees are able develop their skills using the department’s large volume of complex cases and the expertise of fellowship-trained faculty in a culture of collegiality and collaboration. The clinical and research opportunities that are available make MCW and the Department of Radiology a great place to grow into the radiologists of the future.

Meet Our Faculty

The Neuroradiology section includes faculty with excellent credentials and specialized area of expertise, including head and neck imaging, adult neuroimaging, neuroanatomy, and physiologic brain imaging. Physician profiles are available on our Neuroradiology section page.
View Neuroradiology physician profiles
 

Why MCW?

A student, an educator, a scientist and a community leader. Alone they can do a lot of things, but together, the question isn’t what they can do, it’s what can’t they. The Medical College of Wisconsin brings together the most inquisitive minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to solve the toughest challenges in health and society today. Academic medicine is at the core, where scientists, physicians, APP’s and students work hand-in-hand with the community to ask the questions no one else is, and fuel the continuous cycle of knowledge that’s shaping the future of medicine.

Meet Our Fellows

headshot

Jerry Janczy, MD

Fellow

Residency: Aurora Health Care, St. Luke's

all
Future Fellows

2025-2026

Ryan Brooks, DO
Residency: Franciscan Health Olympia Fields

Dan Cibich, MD
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin

Jonathon Conatser, DO
Residency: Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Jordan Soutas, DO
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center

Matthew Rappelt, MD
Residency: Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Fellowship Graduates

2023-2024

Patrick Budny, MD
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin

Luke Tilmans, MD
Residency: The Ohio State University

2022-2023

Gregory Bradley, DO
Residency: Oklahoma State University Medical Center

John Clarke, MD
Residency: Aultman/NEOMED/Mercy, Canton, OH

Nathan Gruenhagen, MD
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin

Alexander Kurdi, MD
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin

Eric Wideburg, DO
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin

2021-2022

Khalid Alsabban, MBBS
Residency: University of Illinois Chicago

Zaneta Dymon, DO
Residency: Loyola University Medical Center

Lohitha Kolli, MD
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center - Wichita

Kim McKenna, DO
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center - Wichita

2020-2021

Joshua Westbrook, MD
Residency: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Mohammed Abdulrahman D. Alshehri, MBBS
Residency: Tufts Medical Center

2019-2020

Sheeraz Daudi, MD
Residency: University of Toledo Medical Center

2018-2019

Joshua J. Bonis, MD, PhD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI

Christopher J. Kleefisch, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI

Kristin E. Fay, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI

2017-2018

Christopher MacDonald, MD, PhD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI
Post-fellowship: Simon Med, Chandler, AZ

Elton Mustafaraj, DO
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL
Post-fellowship: Milwaukee Radiologists, Ltd., Milwaukee, WI

John R. Slaby, DO, DABR
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Aurora Health Care - St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
Post-fellowship: Milwaukee Radiologists, Ltd., Milwaukee, WI

Anthony P. Zbacnik, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Aurora Health Care - St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
Post-fellowship: Gunderson Health, La Crosse, WI

2016-2017

Christopher W. Grant, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Post-fellowship: Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford, IL

Terrance R. Grand, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Presence Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL
Post-fellowship: Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford, IL

2015-2016

Brian D. Graner, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
Post-fellowship: Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN

Brian D. Hopper, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI
Post-fellowship: Radiology Consultants, Cedar Rapids, IA

2014-2015

Laura L. Kohl, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals – St. Luke’s, Milwaukee, WI
Post-fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Radiology, Milwaukee, WI

Keith B. McCollister, MD
Residency: Diagnostic Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI
Post-fellowship: X-Ray Consultants, Inc., South Bend, IN

News

Dr. Christopher Kleefisch is co-investigator in a multi-year Neuro-oncology grant.

Dr. Mohit Agarwal is co-investigator in a cancer cancer grant looking at the use of pre-op hypofractionated radiation in head and neck cancer patients.

Dr. Mohit Agarwal was an invited speaker at 2021 American Society of Head and Neck Radiology annual meeting.

Dr. Nathan Gruenhagan won a certificate of merit on their educational exhibit on imaging of post-op temporal bone at the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society.

Dr. Mohit Agarwal was awarded an Outstanding Medical Student Teacher pin by the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Leighton Mark was invited for a lecture on ‘Non-motor functions of the Cerebellum’ to the ASNR 2020 virtual meeting.

Drs. Andrew Klein and Mohit Agarwal won a Cum Laude for their educational exhibit on ‘The Glymphatic system’ at the ASNR 2020.

The Gerald T Scanlon Teacher of the Year award for 2019-20 went to Neuroradiology faculty Dr Mohit Agarwal.

Dr. Darren O’Neill organized a Radiology team to thank our ED Colleagues for their heroic efforts during the pandemic.

Dr. Mohit Agarwal was reappointed by the Board of Directors of the RSNA to serve for an additional year on the educational exhibits awards committee.

Dr. Mohit Agarwal was appointed to the ACR Appropriateness criteria expert panel.

Dr. John Ulmer presented leading edge insights into early and accurate diagnoses of conditions causing cognitive impairment at the 104th RSNA Annual Meeting - MRI-Based Biomarkers Transforming Radiologists' Role in Dementia Diagnosis.

 

Reasons to live in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the many cafés, beer gardens or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why MCW residents and fellows take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

Contact Us

Alan Pierce

Education Program Coordinator II

Department of Radiology
MCW & Froedtert Hospital
9200 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
apierce@mcw.edu
(414) 955-1182