University of California San Diego Medical Center Program

Radiation Oncology Analyst Verified · Oct 12, 2026

University of California San Diego Medical Center Program

University of California San Diego Medical Center Program is a residency program specializing in Radiation Oncology, located in La Jolla, California, directed by Dominique Rash, MD and coordinated by Jessica Bazo. and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (848) 246-1506. 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

UC San Diego's Radiation Oncology Residency sits within RMAS, a large (75+ faculty) academic department spanning 8 treatment centers and over 500 patients treated daily with EBRT, brachytherapy, proton therapy, and adaptive radiotherapy (ETHOS), giving residents exposure to a technologically advanced, high-volume tertiary/quaternary practice. Research is structurally central: residents receive up to 12 months of protected research time (with a full dedicated research year plus Holman Pathway option), select faculty mentors across three research centers (CPRM, CHEER, QUIVER), and are actively supported in pursuing ACRO/RSNA/ASCO/AHRQ/NIH grant funding. The disease-site-based didactic structure, one-on-one faculty teaching curriculum, coursework in Business of Radiation Oncology and Professionalism/Leadership, and a PGY4/5 international global-health elective reflect a program building broadly competent academic physicians and physician-scientists rather than solely community clinicians. Graduates go on to both academic and private practice positions nationally, but the program's infrastructure, funding, and mentorship clearly orient toward research-driven, academically-minded trainees.

Who it fits

An applicant with demonstrated research productivity (basic/translational, imaging, or health-disparities work) and explicit academic/physician-scientist career goals who seeks protected time, grant mentorship, and eventual faculty or fellowship-track positioning rather than immediate community practice.

Research intensity

Central - a full protected research year, Holman Pathway availability, three dedicated research centers, and active resident grant/publication output make research integral to program identity.

Career orientation

Academic Medicine

Important

The program encourages residents to complete the required international elective in a developing country to gain global-health perspective, and requires three letters of recommendation plus a dean's letter as part of the application.

Choose Specialty / Choose Another Program