doctors having a discussion among each other

Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics

We are a group of skilled diagnostic and therapeutic radiologists and scientists who share a common goal.

We are expert academic physicians, clinicians, physicists, scientists, educators, and other healthcare providers from three independent institutions: The Ottawa Hospital, The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and l’Hôpital Montfort.

We are committed to advancing medical imaging, image-guided therapeutics, and radiation medicine in the Ottawa Region, nationally and internationally.

We combine our leadership in innovation, scholarship, and simulation training with our unique geographic location and industry partnerships to advance the dissemination of best practices, contribute to better clinical outcomes, and deliver compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care.

We believe in the dignity of our patients, learners, trainees, and team members. Through interdisciplinary and inter- and intra-institutional collaboration, we cultivate an environment of excellence in research and teaching, driving continuous self-improvement and leading-edge care important to our patients and their loved ones.

Sanando docemus | We teach to heal

The Department of Radiology is committed to excellence in education and health research. We fulfil the needs of the communities we serve, locally in Eastern Ontario, nationally in Canada and globally.

The Department of Radiology consists of 75 Faculty members working across the Divisions of Medical Imaging, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Physics. Our educational programs include undergraduate electives, postgraduate training in the form of comprehensive residency and fellowship programs, as well as faculty development. We are the largest Canadian University provider of radiology-based continuing professional development opportunities in Canada.

The Department holds an annual radiology residency review course that is well received and considered a reference standard for comprehensive review of diagnostic radiology.

Welcome message

I am honored to hold the position of Chair of the University Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics and Head of Medical Imaging at the Ottawa Hospital (TOH). There is tremendous talent in our department in the domains of clinical excellence, education, research and quality improvement. Our team of Radiologists, Medical Physicists and Radiation Oncologists together with technologists, nurses and clerical staff are making a difference every day to the lives of patients with a practice focused on the core TOH values of care, compassion and collaboration. Our services extend as far North as Nunavut and we are proud to provide leadership to multiple Eastern Ontario hospitals and IHFs.

Our faculty are actively engaged in shaping the physicians of tomorrow through our undergraduate and post graduate training of medical students, physicists, residents and fellows. Recognizing the centrality of training to our program the Department of Medical Imaging was recently awarded the 2020 PARO Residency Program Excellence Award. As the only Radiology department in the country boasting a dedicated Animal Imaging Core facility and basic scientists embedded in our staff we maintain close collaboration between basic scientists and clinical researchers. Our high performance research teams are bridging research silos and contributing to practice-changing research and leading innovation for a healthier world.

Our department recognizes its social responsibility and our essential role in advancing diversity and gender equity within the Department, Hospital and University. We are firmly committed to giving back to our community through a number of charitable initiatives.

Whether you are a member of the public, a donor, or a prospective or current learner, I invite you to explore our site and learn more about what the Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics offers. Please direct any general questions to [email protected]. I look forward to meeting you in Ottawa!

Dr. Carole Dennie (her/she/elle)
Interim Head of Medical Imaging | Chef intérimaire de l'imagerie médicale
The Ottawa Hospital | L’Hôpital d’Ottawa
Interim Chair & Professor | Directeur Intérimaire & Professeur
Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics | Département de radiologie, radio-oncologie et physique médicale

Dr. Carole Dennie
Dr. Carole Dennie

About Radiology

In the last quarter of the 20th century, computers and new radiologic imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), changed the medical environment dramatically. Established imaging techniques, including conventional radiology, angiography, and nuclear medicine, have also undergone amazing evolution. The future of radiologic technology seems limited only by our imaginations.

With all imaging procedures, improvements in picture resolution have led to more precise, accurate, sensitive, and specific diagnoses. Image acquisition time has decreased, and patient comfort and acceptance have improved. The ability to manipulate and transmit data has also significantly enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and studies that once took several weeks to complete and that caused great discomfort to the patient now take only minutes and can be performed with ease for the patient. However, cost continues to be a deterrent to application of much of the new technology.

Development of helical and electron-beam CT scanners has permitted shorter scan times, improved resolution, three-dimensional reformatting, and faster throughput. New technology using multidetector or light-speed scanners allows even faster scanning and has broadened applications in areas such as vascular scanning. Radiologic detection of calcification in coronary arteries is now possible and is gaining acceptance as a screening tool for coronary artery disease. CT colonography and other virtual endoscopic examinations are exciting developments that hold promise.

MRI has become the primary tool for neurologic imaging and has replaced CT except in evaluation of a few conditions, such as acute trauma or acute hemorrhage. Recently, however, shorter acquisition time and better picture resolution have expanded applications for MRI to include nonneurologic evaluations, such as musculoskeletal, liver, biliary, adrenal, and kidney studies. MRI now challenges conventional angiography, and before long most routine vascular studies probably will be done by MR angiography. Similarly, endoscopic cholangiopancreatography is likely to be replaced by MR cholangiopancreatography.

The fast-growing field of interventional radiology is replacing many surgical procedures because it is less invasive and better tolerated by patients. CT-guided biopsy and percutaneous drainage of fluid collections have become commonplace. Use of catheters, balloons, stents, and coils allows minimally invasive intervention in the treatment of arterial occlusions and aneurysms. Embolization aids in surgical resection of many tumors and arteriovenous malformations, and uterine artery embolization is now used for treatment of many symptomatic fibroids. Biliary and ureteral stent placements are common procedures performed by the interventional radiologist. Venous access, insertion of intravenous catheter filters, and thrombolysis therapy also come under the purview of the interventional radiologist.

The entire field of imaging is undergoing rapid change. Technical advances occur almost daily, adding new applications and improving existing technologies. Perhaps the greatest challenges facing the radiologist and the entire field of radiology lie in proving that the newer technologies have real value in managing patients and in helping contain costs through appropriate use of imaging studies.

We are proud of our rich educational environment. At the University of Ottawa, you will have access to the latest technologies and leading subspecialists. With the third greatest number of hospital beds in Canada, The Ottawa Hospital offers a tremendous amount of pathology within the radiology departments, giving you plenty of learning opportunities.

Resources

Partner institutions

Teaching in a clinical setting

General campus

General campus

The General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital is part of a large health sciences complex, located on Smyth Road. In addition to the latest in ultrasound and CT, it boasts a brand new MR machine and two angio suites

Civic campus

Civic campus

The Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital is also a full-fledged teaching site. It too has recently acquired cutting edge technology. Its MR, angio and stereotactic breast biopsy equipment are just a few examples of recent investments.

Riverside campus

Riverside campus

The Riverside Campus is a center with a special focus on ultrasound and mammography. It also has a new CT scanner. The campus operates on an outpatient basis. However, as a former community hospital, it maintains the intimate feel of a smaller centre. This is another dimension that we are proud to be able to offer to trainees.

children's hospital

Children’s' Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

The Children’s' Hospital of Eastern Ontario is also located in the Ottawa Health Sciences Centre. It is one of the few children's hospitals that offers the full range of modalities, including MR, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and a cardiac catheterization lab.

Divisions

The Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics is home to the Divisions of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics.

The Division of Radiation Oncology comprises 21 Radiation Oncologists, all of whom have staff appointments at The Ottawa Hospital.   The Division provides all radiation oncology services within the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, with a population of 1.3 million.   The Division has a leading role in conducting local, national, and international clinical trials in association with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. The Division also fulfills its academic role through undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education activities.

The Division of Medical Physics includes 24 scientists who work with their physician colleagues to advance patient care through research and innovation in the fields of medical imaging and radiation therapy.   The Division has active research in applications of Virtual Reality in medical imaging, radiation therapy planning and delivery, and novel strategies in magnetic resonance imaging. The group offers a CAMPEP accredited medical physics residency program in radiation oncology physics at The Ottawa Hospital.

Contact us

Radiology 

501 Smyth Road, Box 232
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1H 8L6
Tel: 613-737-8571
Fax: 613-737-8830

Alexandra Kuhne
Executive Assistant
E-mail: [email protected]