Curriculum Overview

The AP/CP Residency Program at BMC adheres to the guidelines of the American Board of Pathology and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

In order to ease the transition into residency, first year residents have one month of orientation which includes hands-on, one-on-one training at the surgical bench grossing with a certified PA, as well as training in autopsy dissection and frozen section techniques. In addition, a multitude of introductory pathology lectures are offered to ensure all residents are prepared for their first AP rotation. Upper level residents are also assigned supervisory roles during this period and throughout the year to ensure first year residents receive proper training and support.

This program consists of 27 months of AP and 18 months of CP. The remaining 3 months may be spent completing either AP or CP, depending on the resident’s particular interests. 

Rotations are divided into 4 or 5 week blocks;  anatomic and clinical pathology rotations typically alternate and occur during all 4 years of training. 

Anatomic Pathology (27 blocks)

Clinical Pathology (18 blocks)

Elective time (3 blocks)

Anatomic Pathology Rotations include at least the following: 

  • Orientation (1)
  •  Resections  & Frozens (12)
  • Gastrointestinal/Liver Biopsies (4)
  • Non-GI Biopsies (4)
  • Autopsy*
  • Cytopathology (3)
  • Neuropathology*
  • Dermatopathology (Department of Dermatopathology) (1)
  • Forensic Pathology (Office of the Chief Medical Examiner) (2 weeks)
  • Renal Pathology (2 weeks)
  • Placenta Pathology (2 weeks)
  • Molecular Pathology (2 weeks)

** Autopsy, and neuropathology rotations are integrated into various AP rotations.

Clinical Pathology Rotations include at least the following:

  • Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine (4)
  • Microbiology (4)
  • Chemistry (4)
  • Hematology/Hematopathology (4)
  • CP Selective/Choice (2)

Electives

Residents are allotted (3) months of electives; which can be used as AP or CP, in-house, or outside rotations. Research electives are available as well. 

Laboratory Management American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Laboratory Management Course – Residents are provided with access to ASCP’s online laboratory management course which they complete in their PGY-3 year.