Getting to know Diagnostic Radiology resident & Deputy Chief Resident Dr. Taryn Rohringer
As we take a deeper dive into University of Toronto (UofT) Department of Medical Imaging’s (MI) Diagnostic Radiology (DR) Residency Program this month, there’s no one better to hear from then a DR resident themselves, like Deputy Chief Resident Dr. Taryn Rohringer.
Dr. Rohringer, who is in her third year of residency, was initially drawn to radiology for the dynamic nature of the field. “Every day working in radiology brings new puzzles to solve, each requiring a nuanced understanding of anatomy, pathology and technology,” she says. “The breadth of information we need to master is staggering, with radiology touching nearly every corner of medicine.”
That breadth of information, while overwhelming, is something Dr. Rohringer was drawn to, as she values the ongoing learning that comes with a career in radiology. She was also drawn to the diversity of subspecialities and modalities in the field she observed while shadowing radiology residents.
“Getting to see residents in action was a testament to the diverse challenges and opportunities that radiology offers,” Dr. Rohringer explains. “In navigating these challenges, radiology is able to have an immense impact on patient care, from screening to diagnosis to surveillance.”
With numerous DR residencies across the country to choose from, MI’s program continues to attract top talent from diverse backgrounds, something Dr. Rohringer sees as an asset to the program. Working with like-minded people supports not only enjoyable workdays for residents like Dr. Rohringer, but also stimulating discussions to garner different perspectives on a variety of cases.
Another unique asset to the program, echoed by both Dr. Rohringer and Assistant Professor and DR Program Director Dr. Rachel Fleming, is the incorporation of resident feedback and empowering those residents to make changes within the program that best suit their needs.
As Deputy Chief Resident, Dr. Rohringer knows firsthand how responsive the residency is to resident feedback, noting that in her role she often liaises with residents and faculty to implement feedback and solutions to make the program more effective.
“It’s very gratifying to be able to take the issues residents face and help generate solutions that are actually put into effect,” she says. “The program is very responsive to resident feedback and really allows residents to have a part in their education.”
Going forward, Dr. Rohringer has a busy two years ahead of her as she finishes her residency. Having done a few rotations through different subspecialties, she’s gained a keen interest in neuroimaging and hopes to pursue a neuroradiology fellowship at UofT.
Dr. Rohringer graduated as a Cody Medalist from the UofT Doctor of Medicine program and first in her class for anatomy and surgery. She has received numerous awards throughout medical school and residency, including most recently the PGY-1 Clinical Performance Award; Dr. Louis Harnick Memorial Award for interest and aptitude in Diagnostic Radiology and High Academic Standing; Ellen Mickle Fellowship for highest standing in third year medical school; Dr. Jacob Goldstein Scholarship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for greatest proficiency in OB/GYN; and the SickKids Research Presentation Award, among others. Dr. Rohringer has also been actively involved in research, amassing numerous manuscripts, abstracts and posters dating back to 2014. She will be entering her fourth year of residency in the next academic year and will take on the Chief Resident position in PGY4.