Welcome to the University of Colorado Pathology Residency Training Program!

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Dear Applicants,

Thank you for your interest in the University of Colorado (CU) Pathology Residency Training Program!

The CU Anschutz Medical Campus is an incredible place for world-class training in pathology and laboratory medicine. Our program frankly has it all! We provide a robust training in anatomic pathology (AP) and clinical pathology (CP) in a welcoming and supportive learning environment that prepares our residents to grow into independently practicing pathologists and future leaders in the field.

At CU, we believe that training in pathology must be rigorous, well-balanced and practical in both AP and CP. From day one, our residents are introduced to key concepts of pathology grounded in quality improvement and patient safety principles. During their time with us, we provide numerous opportunities for our trainees to incorporate these concepts and principles into their practical experiences in the clinical learning environment.

We are tremendously fortunate in that our geographic location grants us an expansive footprint and catchment area to provide high quality care to the western part of the country. This translates into a huge and diverse pool of clinical cases for our trainees to learn and to hone their diagnostic skills. This is further coupled with excellent and renowned faculty members eager to facilitate the professional growth of our learners.

The research, education, and clinical activities are carried out at four major University-affiliated hospitals: University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Veterans Administration Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, and Denver Health Medical Center. We are excited to give our learners the opportunities to experience different clinical practice models. Each of these hospitals provide complimentary learning experiences by exposing our residents to the full spectrum of patients and disease conditions.

Our clinical faculty members are involved in a number of translational research projects and welcome resident participation. For those who seek more extensive research experiences, there is the option of dedicating an entire year to research with full financial support from our department. We are deeply committed to training the next generation of pathologists who will work at the interface of translational research and clinical medicine.

Numerous teaching opportunities are available to residents during their training. We expect all of our residents to teach pathology to CU medical students through small group sessions scheduled during the first and second year of medical school as well as through supervision when third and fourth year students do elective rotations in the department. However, for those who foresee a career in academic medicine, our school of medicine offers an elective to acquire a solid foundation for their careers as medical educators. This elective provides residents the knowledge, attitudes, and teaching skills necessary for an academic teaching physician through workshops, lectures, educational projects, and practical application of pedagogical principles.

One unique strength of our program is our flexibility and openness for innovation. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the experiences of our residents, whether in the learning setting or in their wellness. We foster an environment where learners are empowered to take charge of their education and shape the future directions of the residency program.

We are truly committed to nurturing a culture where every member of our residency feels a sense of inclusion and belonging, which allows all to thrive. We openly acknowledge the contribution of diversity to the vitality of our residency training program. To that end, we have intentionally modified our application review and interview process to achieve a more just recruitment process that is consistent with the values of our program. This includes but is not limited to: holistic review of applications, implicit bias training for all involved in the selection process, active mentoring, and coaching. As a result of this intentional focus, we have a diverse body of residents.

Finally, the CU Pathology Residency Training Program is one of the preeminent programs in the country. We are located in a beautiful 230 acres of medical campus with state-of-the-art facilities in which to practice pathology, train residents and fellows, and conduct research. Our graduates perform extremely well in their board examinations, secure prestigious fellowships, and have thriving careers in various employment settings, including academia, private practice and industry. We seek residents, faculty, and staff of diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences to further our mission.

Warm Regards,

Pathology Residency Program

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The Department of Pathology offers intensive, yet flexible, training in clinical, autopsy, surgical, cytological, and experimental pathology. This training is designed to prepare physicians for careers in academic and private practice pathology, and consists of 48 months of training.

The first year involves training in surgical and autopsy pathology as well as clinical pathology. Residents spend the remaining 36 months training in surgical and cytopathology, hematopathology, microbiology, transfusion medicine, clinical chemistry, molecular pathology, informatics/lab management, dermatopathology, neuropathology, pediatric pathology, and forensic pathology. Many residents also pursue research projects. Didactic seminars and tutorials exploring fundamental problems in all aspects of pathology enhance the apprenticeship aspects of the training program. Additional fellowship training is available in blood banking/transfusion medicine, cytopathology, dermatopathology, forensic pathology, hematology pathology, and pediatric pathology.  

Sub-specialization, to meet increasing demands and complexity of modern pathology, is encouraged and made possible by the large faculty with diverse interests. Faculty with specialty interests and research programs in ultra-structural aspects of disease, molecular pathology, and biochemistry as they apply to dermatopathology, gastrointestinal and hepatic disease, endocrine and gynecological pathology, hematology, transfusion medicine, coagulation, cardiac pathology, renal and pulmonary disease, immunopathology, cytogenetics, neuropathology, transplantation pathology, pediatric pathology, as well as bone and soft tissue pathology participate in the program. Pathology training utilizes the staff and facilities of University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, Denver Health Medical Center, and the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Residents teach in the interactive pathology course for medical students during which case-oriented presentations are employed in small group sessions.​

Please use the link below for a video with more information:

University of Colorado Department of Pathology Residency Program