I grew up in a nice suburban area of Long Island, NY. My family had a summer cabin on one of the many finger lakes in upstate NY and I feel in love with the outdoors there. We would periodically make trips to surrounding areas including Burlington, Vermont and it always stood out to me as the perfect place to live. When I had the chance to do my radiology residency in Burlington, I jumped at the opportunity and have stayed here ever since. Like me, faculty and residents who chose to come to UVM value a healthy work life balance and love the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. Although our radiology department has national recognizable names, you will find those who work here are down to earth, collegial and friendly. As there are limited fellowship slots, the department is resident driven allowing our residents to experience the full breadth of our clinical rotations. The availability of Lake Champlain, ski mountains, forests and parks tied with the vibrant downtown area, with multiple nearby colleges, make Burlington an ideal place to live and train. My wife is an ED physician at UVM and we couldn't be happier raising our 2 girls here. I have always loved teaching throughout my training and I am now lucky enough to support others during their residency.
From the moment I met the residents during my own pre-interview dinner, I knew UVM was the place for me — and it's why I came back as faculty after fellowship. Vermont's natural beauty is hard to beat, but what really sets UVM apart is the people. The close-knit community is second to none, and residents and attendings genuinely enjoy each other's company well beyond the reading room — whether that's hitting the slopes, grabbing an IPA at Foam, or sugaring (maple syrup making for non-New-Englanders) in a colleague's backyard.
A lot happens during residency — I got married and had my first child during mine. Choosing a place you truly love matters more than you realize going in, because you'll look back on those years fondly. For me, Vermont has continued to be the perfect place to blend career, fun, and family into one and it's exactly why I'm excited to help shape that same experience for our residents as APD.
Ruth Vant
Jorge Parra, DO
I was born in Mexico and immigrated as a child to Savannah, Georgia. Since then, I have lived in Virginia, Hawaii, Washington, and Alaska. During medical school, my wife and I decided that we wanted to experience life in New England and ranked Vermont as #1 for our match. However, the first time we ever actually saw Vermont was when we arrived for residency. It did not take long for us to fall in love with Burlington and the unique character of Vermont, and that appreciation has only grown with time. From the beauty of Lake Champlain to the endless outdoor opportunities offered by the Green Mountains, Vermont has been an incredible place to call home throughout residency.
While life outside the hospital has been full and rewarding, my experience within the University of Vermont Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program has been equally so. The training at UVM has provided me with the skills and confidence to move forward into fellowship and, ultimately, independent practice. Our faculty are deeply committed to education, and their mentorship has shaped some of the most formative years of my development as a physician. Equally important, the program has fostered a supportive, collegial environment that allows residents to thrive both professionally and personally.
In short, I love this place. The program, the community, and the people have made my years in Vermont some of the most meaningful and enjoyable of my training. UVM offers outstanding resident-focused education, abundant workstation teaching with approachable attendings, and a robust independent call experience that is becoming increasingly rare. While I will be heading to the University of Washington for an Abdominal Imaging Fellowship, I can wholeheartedly say that I would choose UVM again without hesitation. If you are considering residency training here, I encourage you to give Vermont a close look. It has exceeded every expectation I had, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have trained here.
