UPMC Medical Education Program
About This Program
We provide a broad and deep clinical experience including specialized procedures such as interstitial, intracavitary, eye plaque brachytherapy, SBRT and reirradiation. We strive to provide an environment supportive of one-on-one bedside teaching as well as a strong didactic curriculum with protected time for twice-weekly clinical conferences and weekly radiobiology and physics lectures. Our PGY4 residents have protected research time with the opportunity to rotate in one of 5 NIH funded labs.
Program Statistics
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Contact Information
Program Director
John Austin Vargo, MD
Shadyside Hosp
Primary Program Contact
Susannah Ellsworth, MD
Univ of Pittsburgh Med Ctr
Locations
Shadyside Hosp
Radiation Oncology
5115 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15042
3600 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
45th & Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
300 Halket St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3180
815 Freeport Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15215-3399
Application Information
Participates In
Doesn't Participate In
- Main Match of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)
- San Francisco Match
- Military Match
- Urology Match
U.S. MD Applicants
IMG Applicants
DO Applicants
Total required letters of recommendation (excludes MSPE and Dean's letter)
Required specialty-specific letters of evaluation within total letters of recommendation
- Letter from a department chair
- Letter(s) from someone within the specialty (e.g., faculty, attending)
Medical School Graduation Timeline
Graduation from medical school must have occurred within the past 2 year(s).
Gap Experience Requirement
PGY-1 applicants to this program with a gap of 1 year or more between medical school graduation and entry to residency must have the following experience occur during the gap: Research or other medical education pursuits (clinical experience not required)
Resident / Fellow Characteristics
Three year averages. Medical school type does not include graduates of Canadian schools.
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Program Faculty
Faculty Distribution
Work Environment
NA = Not Applicable
NGO = Negotiable
OTH = Other
Visa Status
This program will consider an appropriately qualified applicant with the following visa or visa status. Contact the program for additional information.
Program Size
Key Dates & Timelines
2027 - 2028
Application Due
Jan 30, 2026
Interview Period Starts
Oct 17, 2025 - Feb 13, 2026
Average PGY-1 Educational Environment
Employment Policies & Benefits
Educational Benefits
Tracks & Educational Features
Evaluations
Medical Insurance Coverage
--
- Major medical for residents
- Major medical for dependents
- Major medical for domestic partners
- Outpatient mental health
- Inpatient mental health
- Group life insurance
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
Salary Compensation
PGY-2 through PGY-5
Salary paid by a non-profit institution.
Vacation & Sick Days
Residents receive 20 Vacation Days and 5 Sick Days annually to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
For more information, view the program's leave policy on their website.