University of California San Francisco Program

Nuclear Medicine Analyst Verified · Jul 27, 2026

University of California San Francisco Program

University of California San Francisco Program is a residency program specializing in Nuclear Medicine, located in San Francisco, California, directed by Jose Miguel Hernandez Pampaloni, MD, PhD and coordinated by Samira Zebarjadian.. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at samira.zebarjadian2@ucsf.edu or 4155148971. IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

UCSF's Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Division offers a multi-pathway nuclear medicine training structure (independent 24-36 month ACGME residency, 12-month fellowship for diagnostic radiology graduates, and an integrated 16-month nuclear radiology track embedded within UCSF's own diagnostic radiology residency), reflecting a program built around flexible entry points rather than a single fixed curriculum. Training emphasizes therapeutic radiopharmaceutical experience alongside classical diagnostic nuclear medicine, PET/CT, PET/MRI, SPECT/CT, and nuclear cardiology, with concurrent cross-training in anatomic CT/MRI interpretation. The department's broader research infrastructure (radiopharmaceutical production facility, hyperpolarized MRI/PET core services, annual research conferences, investigational radiopharmaceutical exposure) signals that trainees are expected to engage with translational molecular imaging research, though alumni outcomes show a genuine split between academic faculty appointments and community/private practice and teleradiology positions. The program values physicians who can move fluidly between diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine and who tolerate a non-Match, rolling, flexible-entry administrative structure.

Who it fits

A diagnostic-radiology-trained or radiology-adjacent applicant seeking added qualification in theranostics and molecular imaging, with ERAS experiences reflecting interest in radiopharmaceutical therapeutics and translational imaging research rather than fellowship-independent nuclear medicine as a primary specialty choice.

Research intensity

Strong - substantial institutional research infrastructure (radiopharmaceutical facility, imaging cores, dedicated research time/electives) with encouragement of trainee participation in faculty-led, translational, and independent projects, though not universally required.

Career orientation

Mixed - Academic Medicine, Community Practice, Fellowship

Important

The program does not participate in the national resident matching program and accepts applications on a rolling basis; the nuclear radiology/diagnostic radiology pathway is open only to current UCSF diagnostic radiology residents.

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Nuclear Medicine

Deadline

Accreditation Status N/A

SCORE

USMLE STEP 1

USMLE STEP 2

SCORE NOTES

VISA POLICY

VISA

GRADUATION CUT OFF

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

ECFMG CERTIFICATE

PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT

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CURRENT RESIDENTS