Curriculum

Four-week block rotations

Pathology

 

 Residency Curriculum:

Our residency focuses on the combined AP-CP track. The residency typically takes four years to complete. The program uses four-week block rotations. Residents must successfully complete a minimum of 192 weeks (48 four-week blocks) of training. The four-week block schedule permits 13 blocks per academic year, and may allow residents to earn rotation credits in excess of the minimum required (depending on how leave is managed). The current recommended curriculum for the combined AP/CP residency is outlined below (using the 13 blocks/year): 

 

PGY 1: 

AP: 44 Weeks (11 blocks): 

Surgical Pathology 36 weeks (9 blocks), Cytopathology 4 weeks (1 block), and Autopsy/Forensic Pathology 4 weeks (1 block).

CP: 8 Weeks (2 blocks): 

Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine 4 weeks (1 block), and Hematopathology 4 weeks (1 block).

PGY2: 

AP: 28 weeks (7 blocks):

Surgical Pathology 20 weeks (5 blocks), Cytopathology 4 weeks (1 block), Dermatopathology/Autopsy 4 weeks (1 block).

CP: 20 Weeks (5 blocks): 

Chemistry 8 weeks (2 blocks), Microbiology 4 weeks (1 block), Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine 4 weeks (1 block), and Hematopathology 4 weeks (1 block).

Elective: 4 weeks (1 Block).

PGY3: 

AP: 28 weeks (7 blocks): 

Surgical Pathology 12 weeks (3 blocks), SP-teaching 4 weeks (1 block), Cytopathology 4 weeks (1 block), Neuropathology 4 weeks (1 block), and Autopsy/Forensic Pathology 4 weeks (1 block).

CP: 24 Weeks (6 blocks):

Chemistry 4 weeks (1 block), Microbiology 4 weeks (1 block), Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine 4 weeks (1 block), Hematopathology 4(1 block), Lab Management & Informatics-I 4 weeks (1 block), Molecular Pathology 4 weeks (1 block).

PGY4: 

AP: 12 weeks (3 blocks):

 Surgical Pathology 8 (2 blocks), and Cytopathology 8 (2 blocks).

 CP: 20 weeks (5 blocks):

 Chemistry 4 weeks (1 block), Microbiology 4 weeks (1 block), Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine 4 weeks (1 block), Hematopathology 4 weeks (1 block), and Lab Management & Informatics-II 4 weeks (1 block).

Electives: Up to 20 weeks (5 blocks) may be possible. One block must be taken in a CP discipline. Other electives can be taken in either AP or CP. Elective rotations are available in all disciplines and subspecialties and can be tailored to the individual resident’s needs. Customized rotations require PD approval and advance planning. Any of the required rotations may be repeated as an elective, and some customization can be accommodated as approved by the rotation director and PD. Elective rotations may be taken earlier in the curriculum with PD approval. The PGY-2 elective slot may be used for required rotations, if preferred.

The required curriculum also includes:

  • Two-week rotation to Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network in Maryville Tennessee (is part of the four-week molecular pathology rotation).
  • Two-week rotation to Outpatient Cytopathology Center in Johnson City, Tennessee that provides residents with specialized training in FNA and ultra-sound-guided FNA.
  • Four-week rotation in blood bank/transfusion medicine at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. This rotation includes a week at the adjacent Marsh Regional Blood Center that provides experience in donor services and component testing and processing.
  • A four-week neuropathology rotation at Vanderbilt University medical center in Nashville, TN.

 

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