Our ’23-’24 Radiation Oncology clinical residents tell why they chose WashU for residency!


Justin Barnes, MD (PGY-4)

“I chose WashU for the great case volume and variety (including lots of brachytherapy and radiopharmaceuticals), priority on education, supportive and welcoming/friendly environment, excellent research opportunities (including a strong track record of residents being co-PIs on clinical trials), and quality of resident job placement after graduation. Plus it was important for us to be able to afford to buy a nice home in a nice neighborhood with plenty of space for the kids (and a double oven for my wife 😉) on a resident salary.”


Kevin Chen, MD, MSCI (PGY-2)

“I chose WashU Radiation Oncology for its exceptional history of training residents with the field’s most cutting-edge technology, along with its ambition to advancing the field with novel and impactful research. The department also promotes a culture of collegiality, which I experienced firsthand as a medical student here, that inspires both faculty and trainees alike to excel.”


LeMoyne Habimana-Griffin, MD, PhD (PGY-4)

“Wash U has a vibrant and collaborative community of physician scientists with staunch support from the highest levels of the institution, and most importantly, the leadership within the Department of Radiation Oncology. Wash U is at the frontier of new technologies and a leader in clinical trial development and recruitment. But above all, the people in the department are great.”


Daniel Hong, MD (PGY-3)

“I chose WashU for the people. Not only has everyone here made me feel comfortable in my own skin, being around people that are so smart and ambitious pushes me to be a better physician and academician every day.”


Kendall Kiser, MD, MS (PGY-4)

“I chose WashU because its brand of clinical training is internationally respected, because it is the pioneer in several emerging technologies (e.g. birthplace of ViewRay and first in US to introduce adaptive MR-guided RT), because it elevates resident research with financial and temporal support, and because its people are approachable, kind, and bright!”


David Lakomy, MD (PGY-3)

“I choose WashU because of its history of technologic innovation, vast research opportunities, robust and diverse clinical exposure, and most importantly, the endless kindness and support from everyone in the department. In addition, St Louis provides a richness of museums, concerts, events, & food opportunities that is accessible on a resident’s budget.”


Weiren Liu, MD (PGY-3)

“In addition to being at the forefront of advancements in radiation oncology, I chose WashU because of the people. I met genuinely warm people during my interview and I knew I would be happy working alongside my co-residents here at WashU.”


William Lo, MD, PhD (PGY-5)

“WashU is a very welcoming place with a supportive environment for you to thrive, especially for aspiring physician scientists!  Residents in Rad Onc here are exposed to state-of-the-art technology and procedures (such as MR-guided SBRT, Y-90 radioembolization, and brachytherapy of all kinds), in addition to interesting rare cases. St Louis also has a lot to offer and is surrounded by nature for outdoor adventures, such as Lake of the Ozarks, numerous caves, golf courses, and the list goes on.”


Mustafaa Mahmood, MD (PGY-5)

“I chose WashU because of the strong emphasis on resident education, clinical excellence, and great resident camaraderie. Plus, STL is close to home!”


Ryan Mueller, MD, RT(T) (PGY-3)

“I chose WashU for the world-class training, for the constant innovations and medical advancements, and for the history of residents obtaining highly-desirable job placement after training. But most importantly, I chose WashU Rad Onc for the supportive, kind, and family-friendly nature displayed by every member of the department. St. Louis is also a great place for my wife and me to raise our daughter near our families.”


Sabrina Prime, MD (PGY-4)

“In such a technologically driven field, I chose WashU based on its access to new and wide-ranging technologies, as well as the diverse and inclusive patient population, opportunities and support to pursue a second degree, and its collaborative relationship with complementary departments (Medical Oncology and Radiology). When creating my rank list, WashU rose to the top because of the residents and attendings I met on my interview day and—equally important—the support staff who clearly tended and cared for our education and well-being.”


Silpa Raju, MD (PGY-2)

“I chose WashU Radiation Oncology because it has everything one would want from a training program: the resources, experience, and mentors to help you pursue any kind of research you can dream of, cutting edge technology, and faculty who are leading experts in their disease sites of interest while simultaneously being some of the most down-to-earth and approachable people.”


Joshua Schiff, MD (PGY-5)

“Wash U Rad Onc was clearly the ideal residency program for me. From working with world-class leaders in the field to receiving an education in radiation oncology’s most cutting-edge technology, there’s no better place to train than here. Plus, I get to live in a lively city where there’s hiking, multiple pro sports teams, and something called “gooey butter cake”. I couldn’t have asked for more!”


Hayley Stowe, MD (PGY-5)

“I chose Washington University School of Medicine because of the unparalleled faculty, vast research opportunities, and diverse clinical exposure. This program gives the residents the support they need to excel and become future leaders in the field of Radiation Oncology.” 


Vladislav Sviderskiy, MD, PhD (PGY-2)

“WashU had everything I wanted in a Radiation Oncology program. The program provides robust, diverse, high-volume clinical training that equips residence to succeed and couples it with a history of supporting and developing physician scientists, even having a specific PSTP track. More importantly, I felt connected to the passionate, hardworking, kind individuals in the department that make it a wonderful environment to work.”


Michael Waters, MD, PhD (PGY-5)

“I chose WashU because of its outstanding people, both faculty and residents, and its standing as a world leader in genomics and bioinformatics research.”