UPMC Medical Education Surgical Pathology Program

The Surgical Pathology Clinical Fellowship Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) focuses on providing a comprehensive training experience in the field of surgical pathology. This program aims to enhance fellows' knowledge and skills in examining a broad spectrum of surgical specimens, from small biopsies to extensive radical procedures.

Program Mission: The mission of the program is to teach fellows how to properly examine surgical specimens, gain confidence in operating room consultations (frozen sections), understand clinical-pathological correlations, and stay current with new techniques that impact patient care and prognosis.

Training Overview: The fellowship is designed to last one year, providing intensive training in general surgical pathology. This includes three months of elective rotations in specialized fields such as informatics and molecular diagnostics.Throughout the training, fellows are expected to undertake a research project that culminates in a peer-reviewed publication.

Rotations and Responsibilities: Fellows will spend nine months in clinical activities involving the examination of surgical specimens and will dedicate three months to electives tailored to their interests. The fellowship entails evaluating approximately 50,000 surgical specimens annually, providing ample exposure to a diverse range of cases.

Research and Conferences: Numerous teaching and clinical conferences are held weekly, promoting an interactive learning environment. Fellows are encouraged to engage with attending staff and participate in collaborative research efforts.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must have completed an accredited four-year program in anatomic pathology or a five-year combined anatomic-clinical pathology program. The fellowship is open to foreign medical graduates, who should possess a valid ECFMG certificate and demonstrate proficiency in English.

Application Process: Interested candidates must submit an application, current curriculum vitae (CV), and three letters of recommendation approximately one year prior to the desired starting date (July 1 of each year). An interview at the applicant's expense is required.

Evaluation: Fellow evaluations occur quarterly and involve feedback from the fellowship director and various staff members using structured evaluation forms. These evaluations contribute to the professional development of the fellow during the training period.

Competitiveness: The Surgical Pathology Clinical Fellowship Program is competitive, welcoming strong candidates with a solid background in pathology. It is also open to both Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) candidates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Visa Support: The program provides visa sponsorship, which is essential for foreign medical graduates. Acceptable visa types include those aligned with residency training in the United States.

Training Environment: The fellow will be trained at two main UPMC hospitals: the UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Shadyside. These facilities are adult general medical-surgical hospitals, which enrich the learning experience by exposing fellows to a high volume and complexity of surgical specimens.

This fellowship program offers an extensive educational opportunity for participants to advance their skills in surgical pathology while being part of a prestigious medical center.