SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Department of Pathology
Residency & Fellowship
Residency Overview
Our fully accredited residency program in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology based at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the only academic medical center in Brooklyn, offers
an outstanding training experience. Trainees are exposed to an exciting mix of case
material in our affiliated hospitals: University Hospital of Brooklyn, Kings County Hospital Center, Maimonides Medical Center, and the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System - Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses.
SUNY Downstate’s Pathology residency program is resident-focused, meaning that residency
education is a true priority for our faculty. Our faculty get to know each resident
well and nurture their development. We have faculty in most subspecialty areas of
pathology including Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine, Chemical Pathology, Cytopathology,
Dermatopathology, Forensic Pathology, Hematopathology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular
Genetic Pathology, Neuropathology, and Perinatal Pathology. Our residents also learn
from experts during rotations at Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, the Brooklyn
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and Columbia University Medical Center (for
Cytogenetics). Elective rotations offering opportunity for more in-depth training
and/or clinical or basic research are available.
The main objective of our program is to train well-rounded and competent physicians
from diverse backgrounds who will smoothly transition to the independent practice
of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in a wide variety of settings including academic
medical centers, community hospitals, and referral laboratories. Residents are expected
to develop knowledge, skills, and aptitudes consistent with the six ACGME General
Competencies and the corresponding Pathology Milestones.
We have a highly organized didactic curriculum which includes a mix of active learning
sessions, unknown slides, faculty lectures and resident presentations. A regular scheduling
of guest and voluntary faculty speakers creates an even richer learning environment.
Resident participation in regional and national pathology meetings is financially
supported for the presentation of original scholarship. The diverse array of clinical
material is ideal for case studies and clinical research. In addition, residents may
work in basic science laboratories. Investigators within the department have active
research programs in infrared spectroscopic imaging and diffuse optical tomography;
memory, learning and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease; cancer-related
peptides and therapeutics; and immunologic aspects of asthma and HIV infection.
Types and Numbers of Appointments
The program has positions for 24 pathology residents and fellows. Residents may choose
a combined 4-year AP/CP, 3-year AP only or 3-year CP only program.
Stipends and Benefits
In 2019-2020, PGY-1 residents will receive a stipend of approximately $60,000. Residents
are provided with professional liability, medical care and hospitalization insurance,
dental insurance, meals, books, funding to present original scholarship at regional
and national meetings and four weeks each of vacation annually.