Residency Training Program

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The department presently supports 20 residencies/internships with five chief residents/surgical pathology fellowships. Medical student fellowships at the post-sophomore or post-junior level are also available for a one-year intensive exposure to the basic sciences of pathology. The training program for most residents is a combined format with clinical pathology and anatomic pathology rotations intermixed throughout a given academic year. This allows early exposure to all essential aspects of the disciplines. Typically, most of the basic rotations in clinical pathology, autopsy and surgical pathology are performed in the first two years of the program. In the third year, forensic pathology and cytopathology are emphasized. Various electives are available for fourth and fifth year training. Specialized training in a given area can also be arranged for those interested in specific anatomic or clinical pathology disciplines.

Anatomic Pathology

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers a fully approved five-year training program in both anatomic and clinical pathology, as well as training in AP only and CP only. The training program encompasses all academic and surgical pathology specialties, including ophthalmic pathology, cytology and fine needle aspiration, immunopathology and electron microscopy, hematopathology, neuropathology and autopsy/forensics. The Jules Stein Institute provides an unusual opportunity for eye pathology and research. Also, UCLA neuropathology faculty support neuropathology services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Approximately 25,000 surgical specimens and 30,000 cytologic specimens are reviewed per year at UCLA by faculty in the various anatomic pathology divisions. There is also ample opportunity to review outside consultation specimens. UCLA additionally coordinates trainee rotations at the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, which provides an interesting profile of forensic cases for UCLA pathology residents.

Clinical Pathology

The Laboratory Medicine (Clinical Pathology) program includes all subspecialty areas as well as familiarity with hospital information systems. Approximately 2.7 million laboratory tests are performed per year in the various sections of the clinical laboratory division. Rotations are available in hematopathology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, transfusion medicine, and molecular diagnostics. The transfusion medicine service is unique in that it offers experience at the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center, the largest hospital-based donor center on the West Coast. Training is also available in cellular immunology through the UCLA immunogenetics laboratory. This world renowned HLA laboratory was founded by Dr. Paul Terasaki, and is now an integrated component of the Division of Laboratory Medicine. Developmental research is an important focus in the molecular pathology laboratory (genetic diseases, paternity testing, neoplasia profiles) clinical microbiology laboratory (infectious disease diagnostics)and immunogenetics laboratory (HLA typing). Various other electives are available both at UCLA and at other participating institutions.