University of Pennsylvania

Program

University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology 

Anatomic Pathology Residency

The veterinary anatomic pathology residency program in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is a 3-year position intended for the training of individuals for ACVP board certification. Under the direct supervision of full-time faculty members, trainees receive advanced instruction with an emphasis on gross and microscopic pathology of case material, including autopsies on animals submitted from the veterinary hospitals (Philadelphia and New Bolton Center), laboratory animals from University research facilities, and surgical pathology specimens of canine and feline patients from the hospital and referring veterinary practitioners (average of 45 biopsies per day). Primary training will take place at the small animal hospital located in Philadelphia. Six months will be spent at the large animal facility, the New Bolton Center, in rural Chester County. A longer rotation at NBC is provided for those with a strong interest in large animal pathology.

The responsibilities and opportunities entailed by the residency program include weekly microscopic and gross rounds, monthly specialty rounds including ocular pathology, neuropathology, dermatopathology, laboratory animal pathology, cytology, and journal club, and departmental and university seminars. The Department of Pathobiology utilizes a digital slide scanner (Aperio Versa) and offers training in digital pathology and image analysis, an essential part of the field that has been rapidly growing in prevalence and importance. With guidance from the faculty, all residents are required to attend and present research at the ACVP annual meeting and are expected to submit a first-authored manuscript. Residents are expected to participate in the instruction of interns and veterinary students, including oversight of the 4th year pathology rotation, lectures, and laboratory exercises. Residents can also complete externships outside of the University for a period of up to 6 weeks, as approved by the residency directors.

Please visit the website:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/academic-departments/pathobiology

Facilities

Pathobiology Core Facilities & Resources

Curriculum/Degree Requirements

Goals

1. To provide training in diagnostic pathology of large and small domestic animals, laboratory species, and wildlife. This will involve recognition of specific diseases and knowledge of their pathogenesis.

2. To enable the successful trainee to be eligible for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

3. To provide additional training in research areas of interest to the resident, including but not limited to:

  • Epidemiological surveys
  • Cancer pathology
  • Dermatopathology
  • Comparative Pathology Core / Toxicologic pathology
  • Laboratory animal pathology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Digital Pathology and Image Analysis
  • Penn Vet Imaging Core (confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence)

 

I.  General

The start day is 1 July 2024. Appointments will be on a yearly basis, and if mutually acceptable, renewed at the end of the first and second year. All trainees will be reviewed by the faculty twice per year, and their progress through the program will be evaluated.

Affiliations

  • University of Pennsylvania Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing
  • Abramson Cancer Center
  • Wistar Institute
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
  • Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System: ​​​​​​ 
    1. Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
    2. Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Harrisburg, PA.

 Community

The University of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest universities in America, was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1749. It is located within the city of Philadelphia on the west bank of the Schuylkill River on a campus covering 250 acres. Its central location allows easy access to the entire metropolitan area with its associated cultural amenities. The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League institution that comprises four undergraduate, twelve graduate and professional schools, eleven biomedical graduate groups, and various academic and research divisions.

 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

 

II. Service: Residents will be on a rotating week-long service schedule

  • Autopsy service: Residents will be on a rotating week-long service schedule. Residents are expected to teach and evaluate the senior veterinary students and generate gross and histologic reports. 
  • Autopsy/Biopsy service: Residents will read the outside autopsy submissions sent through the biopsy service and review the cases with the pathologist.
  • Biopsy service:  A portion of the daily biopsy cases will be assigned to the resident as a diagnostic exercise for review with the pathologist. Residents will receive the remaining biopsy slides to review independently after the pathologist has read the cases, with the final biopsy reports available for review by the resident and discussion with the pathologist. Residents will be trained on proper trimming technique of biopsy samples.
  • Dermatopathology service: Residents will receive and review the daily cases with the dermatopathologist in a manner similar to the Biopsy service.
  • Comparative Pathology Core: Residents assist the CPC pathologists in ongoing studies, including comprehensive mouse phenotyping, slide evaluation, digital pathology/image analysis and immunohistochemistry. 

 

III. Laboratory Rounds and Seminars

Tuesdays:

·       Week 1-4 (8:30am):    Resident-led JPC rounds

 Wednesdays:

·       Week 1 (8:30am):       Dermatopathology

·       Week 2 (9am):            CPC or ULAR/Lab Animal (every other month, alternate with Wildlife)

                                          Wildlife (every other month, alternate with CPC/Lab)

·       Week 3 (8:30am):       Dermatopathology

·       Week 4 (9am):            NBC Day –Systems (large animal) *see schedule below

 Thursdays:

·       Week 1 (8:30am):       Biopsy

·       Week 2 (9am):            Systems (small animal) *see schedule below

 Fridays:

·       Week 1 (8am):            Keystone Seminar

·       Week 2 (8am):            Medical Oncology Cytology

·       Week 2 (9am):            Vet Path Journal Club **see rotation below

·       Week 3 (8am):            Keystone Seminar

·       Week 3 (9am):            Neuropathology

·       Week 4 (8:30):            Ocular Pathology

 Additional Rounds (schedule during off-hours):

·       JPC                             Independent, senior resident-led rounds

·       HUP/VHUP Path          Quarterly (alternate hosting at VHUP and HUP)

                                           In collaboration with AP/CP Path residents at HUP 

                                           Residents/Pathologists present case(s) “Morbidity & Mortality”

·       Departmental Seminars

 

IV. Research      

Each resident is expected to participate in at least one research project for publication. These projects are tailored to the individual interests of the resident and their future career goals. Each resident will present their research findings as a presentation or poster for the ACVP meeting in their second or third year of training. Residents may also be asked to prepare and present seminars on current and relevant research topics in the field of veterinary pathology.

Staff

Links

Disclaimer: This information is provided as general background only, is not specific program policy and is subject to change. Since graduate education is highly individualized you are advised to check with the university program directly for up to date information and requirements.