Department of Pathology : UNM School of Medicine

Residency Program General Information

Residency Program

Introduction
General Information
Chair
Residents
Rotations
Conferences
Living in New Mexico

Total Number of Pathology Residents: 19

Number of First Year Pathology Positions Available for July 1, 2009: 3

Type of Training: Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

Sites of Training: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, TriCore Reference Laboratory, V. A. Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, Office of the Medical Investigator.

Faculty: Approximately 45 full-time faculty.

Director: Ian Paul, M.D.

Assistant Director: Matthew Luke, M.D.

Chair: Thomas Williams, M.D.

Age of Training Program: About 30 years (over 200 graduates)

First Year Resident Salary as of 2008: $43,886. For benefits, refer to the GME insurance website.

Program Strengths: Broad extensive training in anatomic pathology including acclaimed subspecialty expertise in hematopathology and forensic pathology; practical yet cutting edge clinical pathology training, including active engagement in laboratory management and advanced molecular diagnostics at TriCore Reference Laboratory. In addition, there is a broad range of research opportunities throughout the department.

The Ideal Candidate

Contrary to popular opinion, we are not looking for human guinea pigs in Hantavirus experiments or individuals with a compelling desire for direct interaction with extraterrestrial life. However, we are impressed by a strong performance in medical school, excellent reference letters, and a penchant for pursuing knowledge.

The last characteristic is a tough one to analyze; during your interview we determine how genuinely enthusiastic you are about pathology, assess communication skills, and determine whether you have the capacity to absorb AND understand the essentials.

Our residents presently and historically have been notable for teamwork, a sense of humor, and perhaps most critically, they are known for their results. This may sound like a marines' recruiting poster, but they work hard and they play hard. In other words, our residents generally perform very well to excellently in national measures of pathology wisdom (RISE exams, Boards), they tend to secure very desirable fellowships, and they engage in fruitful and challenging research projects.

Apparently, the work of learning pathology is not too onerous. And they want more, more, more! The residents have organized a CP evening study group, an anatomic pathology journal club, and a clinical pathology good case conference to name just a few of resident initiated training innovations.

Program Overview

As a first year resident, you get your anatomic pathology feet wet with half of the year composed of surgical pathology and autopsy pathology rotations. Surgical pathology comprises work at the University Hospital, the V.A. Medical Center, and Presbyterian Hospital.

The other half of the first year comprises two month rotations in molecular pathology, transfusion medicine, and microbiology.

As a first year resident, you will spend most of your time at UNM; the more senior residents (third year and above) rotate through the V. A. Medical Center and the private, higher volume hospital (Presbyterian Hospital).

Clinical pathology (CP) call commences for fledgling residents about October or November of your first year. By this point, you have received a series of CP survival training lectures by our very prudent clinical pathology staff. You will also have been attending weekly CP call review conferences at which you will learn the most common causes of weepy clinicians and sullen pathology residents (and vice versa). The CP call review conference is a fairly comprehensive, practical introduction to the ways in which pathology residents interface with the laboratory and the clinical teams in order to ensure optimal patient care.

Throughout the remainder of your residency you will accrue at least 24 months of training in anatomic pathology and at least 18 months in clinical pathology (the American Board of Pathology requires 18 each of AP and CP with 12 months additional). A typical four year schedule is printed below:

Sample UNM Pathology Resident 4 Year Schedule
  July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June
Y1 UNM Surg Path I Autopsy I Microbiology Molecular Bloodbank
Y2 Chemistry Infor-matics Hematopathology VA Surg Path I Autopsy II
Y3 UNM Surg Path II Research / Elective Research / Elective CP Hot Seat
Y4 UNM Cytology VA Surg Path II Presbyterian AP Senior CP Req.

AP = Anatomic Pathology Rotations

CP = Clinical Pathology Rotations