Breast Pathology Fellowship
The Department of Pathology offers one highly competitive, one-year Advanced Specialty Training Program (ASTP) fellowship position in breast pathology for the 2028–29 academic year, emphasizing a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach.
Breast pathology plays a central role in the care of patients with diseases of the breast; an accurate, state-of-the-art diagnosis is the cornerstone of any further evaluation and management of the patient. Faculty in the program are committed to subspecialty training for breast pathology fellows and are leaders in the field at the local, national, and international levels.
We are participating in the National Resident Matching Program for the 2028–29 academic year.
Program Director
Associate Professor, Pathology (Breast Pathology), Pathology (Gynecologic Pathology)
Program Faculty
About the Fellowship
Education & Research
The program offers comprehensive advanced training, including state-of-the-art diagnosis of common and rare benign and malignant breast conditions, immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics.
Breast cancer is one of the areas of excellence of the institution, with more than 5,500 in-house breast cases and almost 1,000 breast pathology second-opinion cases evaluated annually. Breast Pathology Didactics, Unknown Slide Reviews and Fellows' Journal Club are offered to residents and fellows year-round. Two multidisciplinary conferences — Breast Tumor Board and Breast Pathology/Breast Radiology Conference — are offered every week.
Scholarly research projects on breast diseases are available under the supervision of one of the attendings. Faculty members are actively involved in several funded basic science, translational science and clinical research studies at Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and at the national level.
Clinical Experience
The fellowship is designed to provide comprehensive training in diagnostic breast pathology, including the use of standard diagnostic practices and specialized techniques.
The Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Center at Lurie Cancer Center is one of the largest referral centers in the Midwest for patients with diseases of the breast. Fellows are expected to participate in the evaluation and diagnosis of breast specimens, interdepartmental conferences and clinical services. Fellows will gain experience with immunohistochemistry, FISH and molecular testing.
Eligibility & Requirements
Candidates must be board-eligible or certified in anatomic pathology (AP or AP/CP) and be able to obtain an unrestricted permanent Illinois medical license. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and maintain appropriate employment authorization for the duration of the fellowship. Due to the clinical responsibilities associated with this fellowship, including responsibilities during the final six months of training, the program is unable to sponsor or support training or employment visas for this position.
Rotation Schedule
A weekly rotation schedule includes biopsies and consultation cases, large surgical specimens, frozen section consultations and presentations at the Breast Tumor Board and the Breast Pathology-Radiology Clinical Correlation Conference. Rotations also include breast imaging, breast clinics (i.e., surgery, medical oncology, radiation, oncology) and molecular pathology.
Stipend
The stipend is commensurate with the fellow's Postgraduate Year (PGY) of training. Find stipend information via the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University site.
How to Apply
One Breast Pathology Fellowship position is offered annually. Applications should be submitted during the summer and fall, approximately two years prior to the anticipated fellowship start date. Applications will be reviewed during the fall and winter, with virtual interviews offered to selected candidates the following January. The program participates in the Pathology Fellowship Match, and applicants should follow the applicable Match timeline and requirements.
Why Northwestern?
Housestaff training through the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago.
Watch a video to learn more about the fellowship experience at Northwestern: