Residency Program
The pathology residency program at the Medical College of Wisconsin is a four-year, combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Program, accepting 4 residents per academic year through the National Residency Match Program. The program is well rounded and balanced, with a strong and pervasive focus on resident education, with the goal of training young physicians for excellence in either academic or community practice. The rotation schedule integrates AP and CP rotations into each of the 4 years, with complete coverage of every area, yet ample elective time. The surgical pathology rotations are structured around our sub-specialty sign-out system, with extended time devoted to specific organ systems, under the guidance of faculty with sub-specialty expertise. Our CP rotations feature structured curricula and energetic, engaged faculty who are dedicated to teaching. A year-round comprehensive didactic lecture series is supplemented by daily surgical pathology peer review sessions, weekly unknown conferences, weekly clinical pathology conference, monthly journal clubs, and innumerable multidisciplinary conferences. Involvement in clinical or translational research projects is encouraged, with funding available for travel to national meetings to present abstracts. The department also organizes and sponsors an annual surgical pathology update course in Milwaukee featuring both distinguished visiting lecturers and MCW departmental faculty; attendance at this course is complementary for our trainees.
Our program is accredited for 16 positions. We usually accept up to 4 new residents each year.
Fellowship Programs
The Department of Pathology offers 1-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship programs in Hematopathology and Cytopathology, as well as a 1-year (non-accredited) General Surgical Pathology fellowship. Our department also sponsors a Transfusion Medicine fellowship at the Blood Center of Wisconsin and a Forensic Pathology fellowship at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.
Cytopathology Fellowship
This one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship provides advanced training in diagnostic Cytopathology and the performance of fine needle aspiration biopsy with the option to participate in clinical research. The cytology laboratory examines approximately 82,000 cases annually of which about 4,500 are non-gynecologic. Training includes supervised signout, use of ancillary tests, and immediate assessment of needle aspirates. The fellow is expected to assume increased responsibility with time. Participation in conferences and teaching of pathology residents is required. Research and clinical resources include flow cytometry, immunochemistry, and molecular diagnostics. The laboratory is fully computerized allowing for retrieval of specimens for research and teaching.
Hematopathology Fellowship
This one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship provides broad-based training in the laboratory approach to diagnosis of hematologic disorders, as well as education in the structure and function of the routine hematology laboratory. A multimodality approach is stressed, with the incorporation of information from multiple sources, including clinical, hematologic, cytogenic, flow cytometeric, and molecular data. Although all work proceeds under the supervision of an attending pathologist, development of increasing degrees of independence and responsibility commensurate with the fellow's ability and level of training is encouraged. The ultimate goal is to allow the fellow to function as effective laboratory consultants to their clinical colleagues, both in the interpretation of pathologic material, as well as by providing input into the proper utilization and interpretation of laboratory tests for the patient work-up. Furthermore, through participation in research projects, conferences, journal club, and teaching activities, it is hoped that an academic approach to Hematopathology will be fostered, thus preparing fellows for careers in either academic or community practice.
