HCA Florida Healthcare/Westside/Northwest Hospital Program

The Pathology Residency Program at HCA Florida Westside Hospital/Northwest Hospital offers comprehensive training in both anatomic pathology (AP) and clinical pathology (CP) over four years. This program is integral to the HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education network, which is dedicated to high-quality patient-centered care and educational excellence.

Residents are exposed to a diverse range of case materials from HCA Florida Westside Hospital and HCA Florida Northwest Hospital. They also benefit from additional resources from other hospitals in the HCA East Florida system, ensuring a broad clinical experience. As part of the training, residents rotate through vital facilities such as the Miami-Dade or Broward County Medical Examiner's office, Children’s Hospital, and large regional reference laboratories, which provides exposure to cutting-edge molecular diagnostics and esoteric laboratory testing 1.

Curriculum and Rotation Schedule

The program curriculum is meticulously designed to ensure that participants acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in pathology. It includes rotations in various specialties such as:

• Anatomic pathology (including integrated surgical pathology and cytopathology, with a focus on gynecologic cytology)
• Autopsy pathology (with rotations in forensics and integration into pediatrics)
• Dermatopathology
• Pediatric pathology
• Hematology and coagulation
• Hematopathology
• Clinical chemistry and immunology
• Blood banking (including rotations at reference blood banks)
• Microbiology
• Molecular/cytogenetics
• Laboratory management

This diverse curriculum ensures that residents receive a well-rounded education covering all critical areas of pathology 2.

Faculty Overview

The Pathology Residency Program is supported by a dedicated team of board-certified faculty with subspecialties in various fields of pathology. The team encompasses experienced professionals who are committed to providing outstanding mentorship and educational opportunities. For example, the program director, Dr. Susana Ferra, carries extensive experience and holds multiple board certifications, further enriching the learning environment for residents. This experienced faculty is instrumental in shaping the educational journey of residents through individualized mentoring and comprehensive clinical exposure 3.

Salary and Benefits

The compensation for residents in the program is competitive, with the following financial package for the academic year 2024-2025:

• PGY1: $61,318 plus $950 for on-call meals (total: $62,268)
• PGY2: $63,461 plus $950 for on-call meals (total: $64,411)
• PGY3: $65,686 plus $950 for on-call meals (total: $66,636)
• PGY4: $68,973 plus $950 for on-call meals (total: $69,923)

In addition to competitive salaries, residents are provided with various benefits that contribute to a supportive learning environment. This includes comprehensive resources for clinical education and professional development

Competitiveness and Admission Requirements

The Pathology Residency Program is highly competitive, with a rigorous selection process aimed at identifying candidates with the potential to excel in the field. Specific application requirements may include the year of graduation and limits on the number of failed STEP exams; however, detailed criteria should be confirmed during the application process. The program welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including international medical graduates (IMGs) and DO graduates, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse educational atmosphere.

Visa Support

The program offers sponsorship for various visa types, enabling international applicants to apply and participate in the residency. This visa support is an essential aspect of the program, as it allows talented individuals from around the globe to contribute to the educational environment and gain valuable experience in the U.S. healthcare system.