Specialized Residency Tracks

The three-year clinical pathology track provides comprehensive training in all clinical pathology subspecialties, as listed below. Rotations are spread across all three years, providing longitudinal exposure in the field while also allowing time for electives. Elective rotations in anatomic pathology are available upon request.

All rotations take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital unless otherwise noted. Successful completion of this three-year track and all requirements therein qualifies residents to take the American Board of Pathology certification exam in clinical pathology.

Training includes:

• Hematopathology (including flow cytometry)
• Transfusion Medicine (including coagulation)
• Microbiology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics
• Lab Management/Informatics
• Pediatric Clinical Pathology (at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago)

The four-year combined track in anatomic and clinical pathology provides comprehensive training in both areas. Rotations are spread throughout all four years of training, providing longitudinal experience across the field.

Each academic year is composed of 13 rotation blocks. A typical resident schedule is outlined below. All rotations take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital unless otherwise noted. Successful completion of this four-year track and all requirements therein qualifies residents to take 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 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago)
• 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 and fellowship program in anatomic and neuropathology is available in select years to candidates interested in a career in neuropathology. The program includes two years of accelerated anatomic pathology training, followed by a two-year neuropathology fellowship.

Successful completion of this four-year track and all requirements therein qualifies individuals to take the American Board of Pathology primary certification exam in anatomic pathology and the subspecialty certification exam in neuropathology.

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

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 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital)
• 1 block Renal Pathology
• 2 blocks Hematopathology

PGY 3-4

• Neuropathology Fellowship