Specialized Tracks

The three-year clinical pathology track provides comprehensive exposure to all clinical pathology subspecialties, as listed below. Rotations in the various areas of clinical pathology are spread throughout all three years of training and provide longitudinal exposure to the entirety of the field in addition to providing time for electives.  Elective rotations in anatomic pathology are available upon request.  All rotations take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital unless otherwise stated. Successful completion of this 3-year track and all requirements therein qualifies residents to sit for the American Board of Pathology certification exam in Clinical Pathology. 

• Hematopathology (including flow cytometry)
• Transfusion Medicine (including coagulation)
• Microbiology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Molecular Pathology and cytogenetics
• Lab Management/Informatics
• Pediatric Clinical Pathology (at Lurie Children's Hospital)

The four-year combined track in anatomic and clinical pathology provides broad yet comprehensive exposure to all areas of anatomic and clinical pathology. Rotations in anatomic and clinical pathology are spread throughout all four years of training and provide longitudinal exposure to the entirety of the field. Each academic year is composed of 13 rotation blocks. A typical resident’s schedule is provided below. All rotations take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital unless otherwise stated. Successful completion of this 4-year track and all requirements therein qualifies residents to sit for the American Board of Pathology certification exams in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.

PGY-1

• 6 blocks Surgical Pathology
• 2 blocks Autopsy Pathology
• 2 blocks Hematopathology (bone marrow)
• 1 block Molecular Pathology
• 1 block Microbiology
• 1 block Transfusion Medicine

PGY-2

• 4 blocks Surgical Pathology
• 2 blocks Pediatric Anatomic Pathology (at Lurie Children’s Hospital)
• 2 blocks Cytopathology
• 2 blocks Hematopathology (flow cytometry and lymph node)
• 1 block Autopsy Pathology
• 1 block Transfusion Medicine
• 1 block Elective

PGY-3

• 2 blocks Surgical Pathology
• 2 blocks Hematopathology
• 2 blocks Microbiology
• 1 block Neuropathology
• 1 block Dermatopathology
• 1 block Pediatric Clinical Pathology (at Lurie Children’s Hospital)
• 1 block Transfusion Medicine
• 1 block Chemistry/Management
• 1 block Advanced Molecular Pathology/Cytogenetics
• 1 block Elective

PGY-4

• 2 blocks Surgical Pathology
• 2 blocks Cytopathology
• 1 block Surgical Pathology Teaching Senior (Training of PGY1s)
• 1 block Forensic Pathology (at Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office)
• 1 block Hematopathology
• 1 block Microbiology
• 1 block Transfusion Medicine
• 1 block Chemistry/Management
• 2 blocks Elective

The four-year combined residency/fellowship program in anatomic and neuropathology, available in select years to candidates interested in a neuropathology career, provides a two-year accelerated training program in anatomic pathology, followed by a two-year neuropathology fellowship. Successful completion of this 4-year track and all requirements therein qualifies individuals to sit for the American Board of Pathology primary certification exam in Anatomic Pathology as well as the specialty certification exam in Neuropathology.

A typical resident’s schedule is provided below. Each academic year is composed of 13 rotation blocks.  All rotations take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital unless otherwise stated.

PGY 1

• 6 blocks Surgical Pathology
• 2 blocks Autopsy
• 2 blocks Cytopathology
• 1 block Neuropathology
• 1 block Hematopathology
• 1 block Molecular Pathology/Cytogenetics

PGY 2

• 3 blocks Surgical Pathology
• 1 block Autopsy
• 2 blocks Cytopathology
• 1 block Dermatopathology
• 1 block Forensic Pathology (at Cook County Medical Examiner's office)
• 2 blocks Pediatric Anatomic Pathology (at Lurie Children's Hospital)
• 1 block Renal Pathology
• 2 blocks Hematopathology

PGY 3-4

• Neuropathology fellowship