Policies and Guidelines

SCARD believes it is critical for all fellowship programs to follow these guidelines and we ask all Chairs to ensure that their departments follow this proposal unless they notify SCARD that they are opting out. 

Suggested Guidelines for Radiology Fellowship Applicant Second Visits

These guidelines apply to radiology fellowships that participate in the Match.

The COVID pandemic has altered the way in which interviews for residencies and fellowships have long been conducted.  The move to virtual interviews has positive and negative implications.  On the positive side, the virtual interviews allow a more standardized experience for the candidates, a decrease in cost for both candidates and programs, and a decrease in amount of time away from their current training and/or school (i.e. less time traveling and being off service).  On the negative side, the lack of candidates getting to personally view a program and the location can make deciding on a new location difficult and for programs the lack of having the candidate visit can make recruitment more difficult.

However, even before the pandemic the concern of inequity in the ability of candidates to travel to potential locations was being discussed.  This inequity was related to both the costs of traveling and also to various institutional policies related to time off to travel to interviews.  Foremost of concern with a mix of virtual and in-person interviews is that there will be inherent bias in having some candidates do virtual interviews and others do in-person interviews. This concern also exists with optional second visits. 

Note that although some programs may consider that allowing candidates to visit and talk with current fellows and residents while not contacting or interacting with program leadership is sufficient to assure candidates that the visit is not being used as a de facto ‘interview,’ there is concern among many that candidates will believe that the interactions with residents and fellows is somehow being used to assess and rank the candidate. It has often been said to candidates that  any interaction with the program should be considered as part of the program’s assessment of the candidate.  It is very hard to eliminate that perception by candidates and thus they may be hesitant to visit a program or feel that it is vitally important to visit in order to have a chance at getting highly ranked.

Each program should consider how they can reassure applicants that a second visit is truly optional and will not be used in determining their rank list. Setting up a transparent process for assessing and ranking candidates that reduces these biases (or at least the perception of bias) is important.  

One possible solution that programs may choose to use is as follows: 

1. All candidates chosen for interview are interviewed virtually.
2. A date after the interviews is set and advertised to candidates as the time when ranking will occur by the program and that interactions with the candidates after this date will have no impact on ranking.
3. A date or dates (program visitation day/s) after the ‘ranking date’ is set to allow candidates to freely visit the site and program to assess the program from their standpoint prior to the candidates developing their rank list.  This can also serve as a recruitment activity by the programs.
4. To more fully assure candidates that rank list will not be altered by their attendance or lack of attendance at the program visitation day, the local GME office can monitor the rank list and oversee any changes to the list after the published program ‘ranking date’.

Whatever solution is chosen by each program, all programs should reassure candidates that the second visit is optional and is not being used by the programs as a de-facto second interview but purely to allow the applicant to get a better feel and understanding of their program.


January 2023 

SCARD STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONALISM

We, the members of SCARD, believe that every member of our many organizations should be valued and feel included. All voices should be heard.

To assure a collaborative and inclusive culture, radiologists, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists should conduct themselves in a professional manner, respecting all individuals, including patients and colleagues, and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. We welcome all members. We shall not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, language, religion, marital or parental status, age, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.

While we embrace free speech and the power of open discourse and debate during our professional society meetings and on social media platforms, we do not condone any forms of harassment, bullying behaviors, or speech that marginalizes or attacks others.

By upholding this endorsed Statement of Professionalism, we promise to treat each human being with steadfast dignity, kindness and respect at all times so that our central mission remains focused on providing exceptional, compassionate care for all.

Code of Conduct, Adopted (10/2019) 

SCARD FALL MEETING ATTENDANCE POLICY

In order to preserve the purpose, goals, and nature of engagement in the SCARD annual Fall Meeting, attendance shall be limited to radiology department chairs who are members or who are eligible for membership, in addition to their radiology department senior business officer. 

Vice Chairs participating in the in-person mentoring program are invited to attend the first day of the SCARD Fall Meeting. 

Approved by Membership October 2019
Revision approved by the Board June 2024

SCARD STATEMENT ON PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

The Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD), as stated in our bylaws, advances the art and science of radiology by the development of policies and initiatives essential for the success of the clinical, research and educational missions of radiology and imaging sciences 1. Faculty wellbeing and diversity with inclusion are necessary for this success. Supported parental leave is not only about health and wellness, it also about equity and creation of an inclusive environment. It is recognized that there are alternative family structures beyond the traditional mother as the primary caregiver, and our policies must support this. Moreover, if we as leaders truly intend to address and eradicate inequities, we must adopt more inclusive policies. SCARD members support the American Association for Women Radiologists and pledge to strive for departmental, institutional, and organizational change that provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for eligible* faculty members of all genders.

*Defined per the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

1. Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments Bylaws. Accessed October, 2018. https://scard.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/About/2012-bylaws.pdf);

POLICY FOR ACCESS TO THE SCARD MAILING/EMAIL LIST

MAILING LIST USE

• Members may use the SCARD mailing list at no charge, to send information that will be of interest and use to the members. Examples:
  • Announce availability of faculty positions
  • Announce availability of fellowship positions
  • Send not-for-profit meeting announcements
  • Conduct surveys
  • Requests for help           
• Members may use the SCARD mailing list at cost of $275.00, to send information that will be of interest and use to the members but from which the member may receive a profit. Examples: 
• Announce publication of textbook
• Announce a for-profit meeting/course

• Non-members may not use the SCARD mailing list.

• In recognition of the purposes shared with SCARD, upon approval, these organizations may have access to the SCARD Mailing list at no charge: NIH, ACR, ACRIN, the Academy of Radiology Research and AAR and its related organizations.

• Other organizations may submit a written request, including samples of the item to be mailed, to the SCARD office. If approved, the cost is $275.00 for one-time use of the SCARD membership list.
  
  
• Submitting a survey for approval and distribution to SCARD members indicates the applicant’s agreement to post results for a survey to the Members Only section of SCARD’s website.

All requests to use the mail list are reviewed by the President prior to distribution of message. 

E-MAIL LIST USE

• Members may use the SCARD e-mail list at no charge, to send information that will be of interest and use to the members. Examples:
• Announce availability of faculty positions
• Announce availability of fellowship positions
• Send not-for-profit meeting announcements
• Conduct surveys
• Requests for help

• In recognition of the purposes shared with SCARD, upon approval, these organizations may have access to the SCARD email list at no charge: NIH, ACR, ACRIN, the Academy of Radiology Research and AAR and its related organizations.
  
  
• Non-Members may not use the SCARD e-mail list
  

• Submitting a survey for approval and distribution to SCARD members indicates agreement to post the survey’s results to the Members Only section of SCARD’s website.
  
  

All requests to use the email list are reviewed by the President prior to distribution of message. 

Updated October 2020