The Anatomic Pathology residency program is a four year program in Ana-tomic Pathology (3 AP plus 1 credentia-ling year), with or without research, or a combined 5 year program in Anatomic Patholo-gy and Clinical Pathology (4 AP/CP plus 1 credentialing year). All trainees seeking AP alone or AP/CP complete the 2 year Core AP program that consists of a broad mix of surgical and autopsy pathology and cytopathology, of which various surgical pathology and subspecialty rotations comprise a total of 14-16 months. This is usually followed by advanced rotations in general and special surgical pathology, rotations/fellowships in specialty areas in ana-tomic pathology and/or research. In addition there is an extensive and well-organized schedule of both working and teaching conferences in which residents at all levels participate.

A program is composed for each house staff member prior to the beginning of each academic year, with consideration to level of training and individual preferences, according to long-term goals, insofar as those can be accommo-dated within existing limitations, and the necessity to meet Board require-ments. Advanced residents assume increasing diagnostic, teaching, and administrative responsibilities on surgical and autopsy pathology services, with appropriate senior staff supervision. In accordance with new requirements of the ACGME (the principal accrediting agency for residency programs nationally), we are increasingly emphasizing competency-based training and evaluation. Selected residents are given the opportunity to serve as Chief Resident (CR) and/or Senior Resident on the Surgical Pathology Service (SRSS) for 3-6 month rotations.

The Core AP Program consists of approximately 24 months of AP, comprising 5-6 months of autopsy pathology, 6-8 months of general surgical pathology, 2-3 months in the Women's and Perinatal Division for gyne-cologic/obstetrical pathology, 6 weeks at the Children's Hospital for pediatric pathology, separate 4-8 week rotations in hematopathol-ogy, cytology, dermatopathology and neuropathology, 2 weeks forensic pathology, and experience in molecular biology/cytogenetics, renal pathology, breast pathology, and cardiovascular pathology. Rotations at the West Roxbury VA Hospital (surgical pathology, cytopathology, autopsy) are offered during some academic years. There are 2-3 weeks of independent study each year.

Beginning in the third year, and following the core program, the training is individualized. Experiences from 3-6 months in duration to fellowships comprising a year (or longer) are available in gener-al surgical pathology, hemato-pathology, cytopathology, neuropathology, soft tissue pathology, pediatric pathology, cardio-vascular pathology, dermatopathology, pulmonary pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, women's and perinatal pathology, breast pathology, urologic pathology, renal pathology, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics.

For those combining AP with subspecialty or research training, periods of full time laboratory research or full time clinical service in a subspecialty, or both, follow and supplement the Core program. Clinical research opportunities are abundant throughout all training years, although the demands of the first year may make them difficult to pursue at that time. The bas-ic and translational research opportunities available within the Department of Pathology and elsewhere in the Longwood Medical Area are extensive.

Specialized support services within the pathology department include immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, image analysis, immunoperoxidase, electron microscopy, cytogenetics, and molecular biology laboratories. Opportunities are also available to pursue ad-vanced work in each of these areas.

Residents and clinical fellows receive three weeks of vacation per year.

A representative schedule of an entire program for an AP/CP resident appears below.

REPRESENTATIVE AP/CP RESIDENT ROTATION SCHEDULE