Career Development - Pathology | Tulane School of Medicine

What Does Training Look Like?

Residency in pathology is four years for anatomical and clinical pathology programs. For anatomical pathology programs, three years of residency is standard. Similarly, for clinical pathology, residency lasts three years.

Subspecialties

Blood banking/Transfusion medicine

Chemical Pathology

Clinical Informatics

Cytopathology

Dermatopathology

Forensic Pathology

Hematopathology

Medical Microbiology

Molecular Genetic Pathology

Neuropathology

Pediatric Pathology

Selective Pathology (Selective Pathology fellowships concentrate on a particular area or organ system in surgical pathology; these fellowships do not have specialty board exams for certification.)

What Does a Typical Workday Look Like?

A typical workday involves being in the lab from 7:30 am to 5:30 or 6 pm. Pathologists consult with the clinical teams continuously throughout the day regarding the cases at hand. Teaching is a significant part of the daily routine, whether in academic or private practice, and many participate in research. Pathologists assume medical directorship roles for the laboratories, interact with the various federal, state and specialty accrediting agencies and participate significantly in hospital quality programs. Transfusion medicine pathologists provide direct care for patients in therapeutic apheresis and cell therapy collections. Night and weekend call is typically not as intense as other specialties, and involves activities such as frozen sections for surgery, hematology reviews for acute leukemia and emergent therapeutic apheresis procedures. Overall, the projected length or and satisfaction with career, work and personal lifestyle and benefits are favorable.

Important Qualities and Traits

Qualities recognized as important to pathology include:

Good microscopic technique
Excellent communication with other physicians
Intelligence and strong problem solving skills

Shadowing Opportunities

Information about shadowing in pathology is available by contacting Bea Delucca.

Research Opportunities

To learn more about research opportunities in pathology, see the Pathology Research Page.

Additionally, students may want to pursue research opportunities through the DeBakey Scholars Program. This program offers medical students the opportunity to pursue and complete a longitudinal, structured, closely supervised research experience culminating in a capstone presentation prior to graduation. For more information, contact Dr. Derek Pociask.

Specialty Interest Group

The Pathology Appreciation Club (PAC) is advised by Dr. Ryan Craig and Dr. Sarah Garner.

Who are the Specialty Academic/Career Advisors for this Specialty?

Dr. Ryan Craig

Recommended T3 & T4 Coursework

Several electives in pathology are available. These include: Surgical Pathology, Dermatopathology, Hematopathology, and Cytopathology.

Sample-T4-PATH-Schedule.pdf

Specialty Statistics

Summary Statistics (from "Charting Outcomes in the Match 2024")

Matched N = 213

1. Mean number of contiguous ranks	12.4
2. Mean number of distinct specialties ranked	1.0
3. Mean USMLE Step 1 score	235*
4. Mean USMLE Step 2 score	247
5. Mean number of research experiences	3.1
6. Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications	8.4
7. Mean number of work experiences	1.9
8. Mean number of volunteer experiences	3.3
9. Percentage who are AOA members	8.9
10. Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding	32.4
11. Percentage who have Ph.D. degree	21.4
12. Percentage who have another graduate degree	14.4

Note: Only U.S. MD seniors who gave consent to use their information in research are included.

*Only applicants who reported taking Step 1 prior to the transition to pass/fail included.

Special Considerations When Applying for Residency

Students wishing to pursue a residency in pathology will take part in the NRMP Match process.

Important Advice

Figure out which program will be the best fit for you. There’s nothing as important as fit.

Scores on Step 1 and Step 2 are important aspects on which residents are matched. Make sure your scores are as competitive as possible.

Consider doing away rotations at programs in which you have interest.

Use all the resources available to you during your medical school years. These resources are here to help you!

Where Past Tulane Students Have Matched

U Michigan Hosps‐Ann Arbor	ANN ARBOR	MI	2020
Cedars-Sinai Med Ctr-CA	LOS ANGELES	CA	2021
U Miami/Jackson Health System-FL	MIAMI	FL	2023
Tulane Univ SOM-LA	NEW ORLEANS	LA	2023
Tulane Univ SOM-LA	NEW ORLEANS	LA	2024
University of Utah Health	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	2024