Train with pathology leaders to shape your future

Advance your career in pathology and laboratory medicine, the foundation of diagnoses, treatment decisions and research breakthroughs. We offer eight fellowship training programs spanning ACGME-accredited specialties, distinctive specialty tracks and partnerships with Dermatology and Clinical Informatics.

You’ll train at Oregon’s only academic health center. Our 65 faculty are committed to training the next generation of pathologists.

As a fellow, you will find:

• Six ACGME-accredited fellowships in blood banking and transfusion medicine, cytopathology, dermatopathology (joint program), hematopathology, molecular genetic pathology and neuropathology
• Two specialty-specific (non-ACGME) fellowships in breast and gynecologic pathology and Gastrointestinal/pancreaticobiliary/liver pathology, with a unique option to progress to independent case sign-out
• Broad and complex caseloads across OHSU hospitals, clinics and partner institutions
• Fine needle aspirations (FNAs) training with 1,000 FNAs performed per year
• Research opportunities and protected time
• Access to the Oregon Brain Bank 

What sets us apart

Train alongside pathology leaders who mentor you in achieving your career goals in pathology. Our vice chair for education also serves as residency program director, a deliberate structure that keeps teaching at the center of leadership. Faculty across all subspecialties are enthusiastic, dedicated teachers who view the training of the next generation as a core part of their work. You will feel that from your first rotation.

A welcoming, supportive culture

We want people to come and practice pathology with us, both as trainees and future colleagues. You’ll find a collaborative, supportive environment where fellows are integrated into daily academic life. From grand rounds and conferences to clinical care and research activities, you’ll work and train as an essential member of our department.

You will also have resources to support your well-being. Staffed by OHSU clinicians, our Resident and Faculty Wellness Program offers tools and services to help residents and faculty thrive.

Training across subspecialties

With eight fellowship programs and 65 faculty, you will train with experts in nearly every pathology subspecialty, from molecular diagnostics and hematopathology to neuropathology and transfusion medicine. This depth of faculty mentorship offers specialization that is hard to find elsewhere.

Across all programs, faculty are active researchers. You’ll have ample opportunity to engage in scholarly work and present at national conferences.

Fellowship programs

• Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine Fellowship
  • 2 fellows per year
  • ACGME-accredited training in blood banking and transfusion medicine at one of Oregon’s busiest hospitals
• Cytopathology Fellowship
  • 1 fellow per year
  • ACGME-accredited training with a strong emphasis on fine needle aspiration
  • OHSU performs more than 1,000 FNAs per year; fellows train toward the ability to perform FNA independently.
• Hematopathology Fellowship
  • 2 fellows per year
  • ACGME-accredited training for two fellows annually in the diagnosis and interpretation of hematologic malignancies and related disorders
• Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
  • 2 fellows per year
  • ACGME-accredited training in molecular diagnostics and genetic pathology, with access to OHSU Knight Diagnostic Laboratories
• Neuropathology Fellowship
  • 1 fellow per year
  • ACGME-accredited and integrated with OHSU’s AP/NP program
  • Fellows have meaningful research opportunities through the Oregon Brain Bank, directed by department faculty.

Specialty-specific fellowship programs

Pursue pathology specialties in these non-ACGME fellowships. You will begin as a trainee and can advance to sign out cases as a credentialed OHSU faculty instructor later in the fellowship. Advancement depends on skills and is not guaranteed. Program availability may vary by year.

• Breast and Gynecologic Pathology Fellowship
  • 1 fellow per year
  • Specialty-specific (non-ACGME) fellowships with pathways to independent case sign-out as a credentialed OHSU instructor 
  • Fellows are initially appointed as instructors.
• Gastrointestinal, Pancreaticobiliary and Liver Pathology Fellowship
  • 1 fellow per year
  • Specialty-specific (non-ACGME) fellowships with pathways to independent case sign-out as a credentialed OHSU instructor 
  • Fellows are initially appointed as instructors.

Cross-department fellowships

Build pathology subspecialty expertise through these training programs with other departments.

• Dermatopathology Fellowship
  • Department or division partner: Department of Dermatology
  • Who qualifies? Dermatologists and pathologists
  • This ACGME-accredited program is among the nation’s most competitive fellowships in the specialty.
• Clinical Informatics Fellowship
  • Department or division partner: Division of Informatics, Clinical Epidemiology and Translational Data Science (DICE)
  • Who qualifies? Physicians of all specialties, including pathology
  • Fellows pursue informatics projects and UI/workflow improvements, rotating within pathology.

More training in pathology and laboratory medicine

Fellowships are one part of a broad educational mission in our department. Explore our other training and learning opportunities:

Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program

Our ACGME-accredited four-year residency trains skilled diagnosticians for careers in private practice and academics. Rotations include OHSU, the Portland VA Medical Center, Kaiser Regional Laboratory and the Oregon medical examiner’s office.

Medical student education

We offer a variety of eduation for medical students, including pathology electives for third- and fourth-year students, a student fellowship and a diversity program for visiting students.

Continuing medical education

Our CME events include grand rounds with faculty and outside speakers, a monthly unknown case series and education and wellness topics.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to a pathology fellowship if I trained in another specialty? 

In most cases, yes. ACGME-accredited pathology fellowships require completion of an AP or AP/CP residency. However, the clinical informatics and dermatopathology fellowships are cross-specialty and open to physicians from other specialties, including pathology. Check individual program pages for specific eligibility requirements.

When do fellowship applications open? 

Application timelines vary by program and whether the program uses the NRMP Match or direct application.

Are international medical graduates eligible to apply?

Applicants must have a valid ECFMG certificate and be legally authorized to work in the United States. Specific requirements vary by program. Requests regarding visa applications should be directed to the OHSU GME Office.

What is the fellowship salary?

Stipend and benefits are commensurate with postgraduate training level. Find details about resident and fellow employee benefits from the Graduate Medical Education Department.

Does the department have a diversity or equity program? 

Yes, we actively support diversity and inclusion across our training programs, our department and throughout OHSU.

Helpful links

• OHSU Graduate Medical Education
• OHSU Resident and Faculty Wellness Program 
• School of Medicine diversity and inclusion