Residency Program
The Department of Pathology of Wayne State University School of Medicine and affiliated hospitals offers a four-year ACGME-accredited combined anatomic pathology and clinical pathology residency training program. The program includes instruction in state-of-the-art clinical diagnosis, diagnostic techniques, and experimental pathology, and provides abundant opportunity for residents to participate in original research. The affiliated hospitals include:
- Harper-Hutzel Hospitals
- Karmanos Cancer Center
- Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center
- Children's Hospital of Michigan
- John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
- Wayne County Office of the Medical Examiner
The training program is based on the ACGME General Competencies, and emphasis is placed on the resident assuming increasing diagnostic responsibilities under faculty supervision. There are abundant opportunities to interact with clinical specialists and basic scientists and to apply recent technological developments to diagnostic medicine and research. The spectrum of hospital affiliations allows each resident to receive training from pathologists with special interest and expertise in subspecialty areas including, but not limited to:
- pediatric pathology
- feto-placental pathology
- gynecological pathology
- neuropathology
- forensic pathology
- molecular pathology
Both required rotations and electives offer specialized training in diverse fields including surgical pathology subspecialties, clinical pathology subspecialties, molecular pathology, and research.
The mission of pathology training at the Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University (DMC/WSU) is the development of competency in the clinical setting with the knowledge, skill, and attitude for the successful practice in various subspecialties of pathology. With dedicated faculty guidance, the focused approach and high volume of complex cases cultivates immense clinical exposure. Educational experiences are strengthened through daily didactic sessions, teaching opportunities, and a wide array of tumor boards. Resident trainees demonstrate the ability to recognize, interpret and explain pathologic processes, and aspire pursuit of lifelong learning.
Twelve house staff positions are available, with three first-year positions that may be entered at the PGY-1 level immediately following graduation from medical school or after post-graduate training in another medical specialty. One-year accredited fellowship training programs are offered in Cytopathology (2 positions), Hematopathology (2 positions), Pediatric pathology (1 position), and Surgical Pathology (1 position).
The goal of the training program is the preparation of individuals competent in the practice of anatomic and clinical pathology as well as for careers in academic pathology pursuing research and education. A certificate of training from the Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University School of Medicine is awarded upon completion of the program. Residents completing the program are eligible to apply for certification in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology.