Our fully accredited program provides training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and most subspecialties. Training can lead to certification by the American Board of Pathology in: 1) combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology; 2) Anatomic Pathology; 3) Clinical Pathology; 4) Neuropathology; 5) Forensic Pathology; 6) Hematology/hematopathology; 7) Microbiology; 8) Clinical Chemistry. Many of our residents combine residency training with post-doctoral research, leading to careers in academic medicine. Acknowledged as a leader in the U.S., the University of Washington provides pathology residents with diverse opportunities for an academic medical career. A number of our residents engage in post-doctoral research supported by NIH-sponsored training grants.

Board certification typically requires 1.5 to 2 years spent each in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. The two years of training in Anatomic Pathology provide broad and comprehensive exposure to the areas of autopsy, surgical pathology and cytology. The first year in Clinical Pathology introduces the resident to all the major areas of laboratory medicine based on a comprehensive “core” curriculum. The subsequent year includes six months as Acting Director of a lab section.

We believe variety is the key to a successful training program. The resident learns best from the variety of approaches from individual pathologists, diverse patient populations in variable clinical settings, and a wide range of disease processes that we present in our program. Our required rotation sites -- University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), Harborview Medical Center (HMC), Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center (CHRMC) and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VA) -- provide a well rounded and varied experience in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. Community sites, such as King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Puget Sound Blood Center, and Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, supplement the required sites for senior electives.