Pathology Education for Medical Students
Learn pathology alongside expert faculty
Build diagnostic expertise, deepen clinical insight and train alongside world-class faculty at Oregon’s only academic health center.
OHSU’s Department of Pathology student education program is one of 12 programs nationally. You will experience a rare combination of immersive clinical training, direct faculty mentorship and meaningful research opportunities.
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Why study at OHSU?
We offer rigorous pathology learning experiences built around mentorship, real patient cases and broad clinical exposure. You will find:
- One-on-one mentorship from Pathology faculty
- Pathology education connected across patient care, clinical laboratories and research
- Hands-on experience right away with real patient cases
- Exposure to all aspects of pathology and laboratory medicine, including anatomic pathology subspecialties, transfusion medicine and molecular pathology
- Recognition for your work, with awards like the Alma B. Sneeden Award for excellence in the student fellowship program
- An inclusive and diverse culture and an engaging student life
Pathology student education overview
We play an active role in OHSU’s medical school curriculum, working closely with students to show how pathology and laboratory medicine support clinical decision-making across specialties. Whether you are early in medical school or preparing for residency, you will find multiple ways to engage.
When you pursue pathology at OHSU, you will:
- Learn from faculty throughout the curriculum: We integrate pathology instruction into core courses and clerkships across all four years of the M.D. program
- Apply concepts to real cases: Our faculty lead case-based sessions and conferences that connect coursework to clinical presentations
- Gain hands-on experience: You’ll participate in guided microscopy sessions using multiuser scopes
- Explore advanced electives: We offer two and four week introductory and special topic electives for third and fourth year students
- Build diagnostic skills: Electives introduce you to the full scope of anatomic and clinical pathology while strengthening diagnostic reasoning
Pathology Student Experience (fellowship)
There are only about a dozen programs like this in the entire United States.
Historically called a student fellowship, the Pathology Student Experience is a one-year program designed exclusively for medical students (not to be confused with post-residency fellowships).
You’ll take a year away from medical school and function at the level of a first-year resident (PGY-1) in anatomic pathology. You will fully integrate within the daily clinical work of the OHSU Department of Pathology alongside our residents and faculty.
What makes this program especially distinctive is the advantage it offers. Pathology sits at the center of the health system, linking to every clinical specialty. Completing this year will give you a foundational understanding of disease processes that will serve you in any field you choose.
“Pathology is the linchpin, a spoke in the wheel that connects to the whole health system. It gives students a unique perspective on the way pathology interacts with medicine.”
About half of participants go on to train in pathology. For the other half, the year still proves deeply valuable. Many go on to pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine and other specialties, where this diagnostic knowledge continues to benefit them throughout their careers.
Eligibility and program details
Open to OHSU medical students. Students from other programs may contact the program coordinator to be added to a waitlist.
We offer three positions annually, running from spring quarter through the beginning of the following spring break. A salary stipend and a $700 educational allowance are provided. Participants are also eligible for OHSU’s full benefits package including medical and dental insurance.
What to expect as a student fellow
- Autopsy service, including prosection, complete autopsy report generation and clinicopathologic correlation
- Weekly autopsy conference presentation of interesting cases
- Surgical pathology, including intraoperative consultations and gross specimen examination
- Preview and review cases with faculty; independent case management with guidance
- Specialty electives, including neuropathology, cytology, renal pathology, hematopathology and more
- Protected time for pathology didactics and departmental grand rounds
- Opportunities to participate in medical student teaching
An informational meeting is held each spring, after which interested students arrange to spend time observing in the department before a brief interview.
Student Experience frequently asked questions
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Who is eligible to apply?
This Student Experience program is traditionally only open to OHSU medical students. Medical students from other programs may contact the program coordinator to see if a position is available. We fill three positions annually, running from spring quarter through the beginning of spring break the following year.
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Is there a salary or financial support?
Yes. There is a salary stipend during the student fellowship year as well as a $700 educational allowance. Participants are eligible for the OHSU research and unclassified administrative benefits package, including paid time off, medical and dental insurance and other benefits. All participants receive a laptop. Additional financial support for travel may be provided for those who present research at national conferences.
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What about student loans?
Students are eligible for loan deferment from most loan vendors during program participation. Some students also consider making minimum monthly payments. Students should work with the OHSU Financial Aid Office to assess the best options for their individual situation.
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What electives are available?
Any Department of Pathology elective or resident rotation is available, including neuropathology, cytology, renal pathology, hematopathology, cytogenetics and blood banking/transfusion medicine. Students have also designed their own electives, including off-campus pathology experiences, electives in other departments and research electives.
Note: students do not receive credit toward their M.D. degree but may be able to apply or adapt projects toward curriculum.
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Are there research opportunities?
Yes. Participants have been involved in a variety of research projects, mostly within the Department of Pathology. Opportunities to write up interesting autopsy or surgical pathology cases may also arise.
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What are the hours like?
The workload and schedules vary by rotation. The surgical pathology rotation at OHSU is the busiest, with a typical day running from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rotations on the autopsy service and at the VA typically have shorter hours. Student participants do not have call responsibilities.
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Who should consider this program?
The program is valuable for students entering any clinical specialty, not just pathology. Participants gain experience recognizing and understanding disease processes across all systems and the role of diagnostic pathology in clinical medicine.
Pathology Student Interest Group
The Pathology Student Interest Group (PSIG) is a community of pathology enthusiasts from across the medical school who explore the microscopic world of disease together. The group is student-shaped, with activities based on member interests. The group is open to any medical student curious about pathology.
PSIG activities
- Observing autopsies and interacting directly with experienced pathologists
- Resident-led surgical case presentations correlated to current coursework
- Slide review sessions with faculty mentors using multi-user scopes
- Conferences and dinner lectures hosted by the Oregon Pathologists Association
- Community partnerships with local elementary and high school students on gross anatomy and pathology-based health education
To get involved or learn more, contact the faculty advisors.
Visiting students
OHSU Pathology’s clinical experience curriculum is open to visiting medical students from accredited U.S. medical schools as space allows.
Rotations are a valuable opportunity to experience a major academic medical center’s pathology department and explore OHSU as a potential residency home.
How to qualify
Students from accredited U.S. medical schools are eligible. Learn more about applying as a visiting medical student at OHSU.
Diversity Program for Visiting Medical Students
The OHSU Diversity Program for Visiting Medical Students helps students learn about academic medicine at OHSU and encourages more diverse students to apply to its residency programs. The program offers qualified applicants mentoring, networking and a $2,000 stipend toward room, board and transportation during the rotation.
Competitive applicants have experience or interest in diversity, health disparities or serving underrepresented populations, and at least one of the following: grew up in a rural community or have experienced significant disadvantages or adversity. Applicants must also express interest in an OHSU residency program.
How to apply
Apply through Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO). Include these items with your application:
Letter of Endorsement from related Core Clerkship Director (including diversity program qualifications)
- Student letter of intent describing qualifications and interest in the diversity program
- Demonstrated excellent to outstanding performance in the related third year clerkship (exceptions considered)
- Rotations are four weeks; open to full-time fourth year students in good standing
Program faculty and leadership
Our medical student education program is led by dedicated faculty who bring both clinical expertise and a genuine commitment to teaching.
Nicole Andeen, M.D., faculty advisor, student programs
andeen@ohsu.edu
Robert Christian, M.D., M.S., faculty advisor, student interest group
chrisrob@ohsu.edu
Melanie Hakar, D.O., student fellowship contact
Anya Coleman, student fellowship contact
colemaan@ohsu.edu
503-494-8276
Maya Severson, GME diversity program
seversom@ohsu.edu
503-494-8652
Questions?
Contact Anya Coleman, education coordinator
colemaan@ohsu.edu
503-494-2318
Nicole Andeen, M.D., program co-director
andeen@ohsu.edu
503-418-1595
Melanie Hakar, D.O., program co-director
hakar@ohsu.edu
503-494-2321
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