Dr. Alison Chetlen has published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts related to breast cancer screening, breast magnetic resonance imaging, management and recruitment of women at high risk for developing breast cancer, anticoagulation and breast biopsy. She is also a published researcher in medical education topics including simulation in radiology, peer learning and peer coaching, delivering and receiving feedback. Dr. Chetlen also has interest in health policy and economics and has published manuscripts examining economics related to breast imaging, effects of dense breast legislation, and health care delivery in the military. She has coauthored many American of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria updates on topics including palpable breast masses, breast implant evaluation, breast cancer screening, and imaging after breast surgery. She has been involved as a co-investigator in ACRIN trials. She lectures to the community on risk assessment and screening for breast cancer and speaks locally and regionally on topics such as new breast imaging technologies. On a national scale, Dr. Chetlen lectures at national conferences on topics related to leadership, mentorship and sponsorship, wellness and mindfulness, and breast imaging. She is involved as a co-investigator in numerous ACRIN trials. She lectures to the community on risk assessment and screening for breast cancer and speaks locally and regionally on topics such as new breast imaging technologies.

Dr. Alison Chetlen is a fellowship-trained breast imager and clinician educator with expertise in screening mammography, screening automated whole breast ultrasound (ABUS), diagnostic mammography, diagnostic ultrasound, 3D tomosynthesis, and screening and diagnostic MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), Savi Scout localization, and contrast enhanced mammography. She has expertise in imaging of the post-mastectomy breast, breast pain, post-surgical breast and surgically augmented breast. Dr. Chetlen has expertise in supplemental screening in the high-risk population and in women with dense breasts. She also evaluates pediatric, transgender, and male patients with breast pathology. Dr. Chetlen performs a variety of breast procedures, including ultrasound-guided core needle breast biopsies, stereotactic core needle breast biopsies, MRI-guided breast biopsies, Savi Scout localizations, needle/wire localizations, and drainage procedures.

In addition to her role as Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Radiology, Dr. Chetlen participates in a number of endeavors that align with her interests in faculty affairs, mentorship, medical student education, graduate medical education, leadership and research. 

Nationally, Dr. Chetlen served as the Women's Liason and participated in the Strategic Planning Committee, Mentoring Program, Well-Being Committee, DEI committee, Alliance of Clinical Educators in Radiology (ACER), Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology (AMSER), ADVICER, and Research mentoring initiative, all through the AAR (Association of Academic Radiologists). 

Within Penn State University, Dr. Chetlen serves on the Faculty Senate and serves on the Admissions, Records, Scheduling and Student Aid Committee.  Within the Department of Radiology, Dr. Chetlen teaches medical students, residents, and breast imaging fellows. She co-chairs a weekly Faculty Development Program where faculty members receive CME credit and participate in sessions related to medical education, assessment, feedback, research, leadership, health policy, wellness, medical ethics, and peer learning. Within the College of Medicine, Dr. Chetlen has served as a facilitator in the Science of Health Systems course for nine years, a course which discuses the socio-economic determinants of health and relationship to health outcomes, health policy and reimbursement. Dr. Chetlen also serves as a Master Interviewer for medical student applicants and is Director of the Accelerated 3+ pathway for Diagnostic Radiology. 

Dr. Chetlen has had several formal long-term mentoring relationships with numerous medical students, residents, breast imaging fellows and undergraduate students and several informal and formal mentoring relationships with faculty members, radiology residents, and radiologists nationwide.

Fellow, Society of Breast Imaging, 2018

Board-Certified in Diagnostic Radiology, American Board of Radiology, 2009