Dr. Hummel - Getting Pathology Experience
From Dawn Dewar
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2.15.22 Dr. Kelsey Hummel, DO “Getting pathology experience”
Do a path elective where there is a residency program. If there is no elective at your base hospital, then contact a local pathologist, explain your interest and need of a pathology elective and they may open an elective for you.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @4theloveofpathology
Summary:
● Pathology experience is #1 most important thing for residency programs (people WILL ask you, you will want to talk about it in your personal statement).
○ It is a “screening” question to see if you are serious about pathology
○ Tell your letter writers to mention pathology
● Pursue experiences where pathologists are more than frozens and autopsies
● Get clerkship experience with pathology residents
● Virtual is still an option
● Create your own experience. Be creative! Put yourself out there and talk to the right people.
● Free membership to pathology organizations
○ CAP
○ ASCP
○ PathSIG
Where to find pathology electives?
● AMA FREIDA
● VSLO
● MSU Statewide campus system (non-residency program electives) but still valuable
● See David Cook’s presentation on Audition rotations:
Post-Sophomore Pathology Fellowship
● Residency level experience
● Direct contact into residency program
● Research experience
● Hands-on learning opportunity in autopsy, surgical pathology
● Compiled list of PSFs
● Cons: minimal salary, moving for 1 year, extending graduation out 1 year
Networking
● Go to conferences to make small connections
● Join #PathTwitter
○ Follow as many pathology leaders (Jerad Gardner, MD) as possible, residency programs, etc.
○ Pathologists post education material for medical students all the time. Interact and engage with them.
○ Show cases (without breaking HIPAA) and talk about it, ask for advice!
● Pathology is a SMALL world…people will remember you
● Connections → collaborations, research opportunities, and more!
● Fact: Pathologists LOVE to see medical students at conferences (in person or virtual)
● CAP foundation, ASCP, National Association of Medical Examiners, Society of 67
Get involved
● Pathology Interest Group
● Create your own experiences!
● On clerkship, when you are on GYN or Surgery, follow a specimen down to the lab. Talk with the pathologist assistant about the case, watch them gross, meet the lab techs and pathologists at your hospital. Ask to look at slides.
Research
● Really important if you’ve done research
○ Publication, posters (even 1) that is sufficient
○ Will continue to do research in residency and build up repertoire
● On clinical rotations, keep an eye out for potential case reports. Get involved in as many small research projects as possible.
● Reach out to faculty/ pathologists/ residents if they need help on any cases/ projects worthy of a case report
○ Can submit case report abstract for travel grants
○ Submit to journals (get informed consent if required by specific journal)
● Substance use and prevention at MSUCOM SOMA. Contact Basma to join.
● Any research is good.
Letter of Recommendations
● Can get letters on audition / elective rotations
● Try to get one from a pathologist
● Long-term experiences (research, volunteer at medical examiner, do enrichment activities in clerkship with pathology) → LoRs
Online resources
● PathElective: https://www.pathelective.com/
○ Free virtual tutorials on each topic in pathology (excellent review, will help you boost knowledge for electives)
○ 1-2 weeks if you just sit down and do it. Resources have been vetted by leading pathologists.
○ Better to use it as a resource
● Pathology observership: dedicated 4 week path elective
Scholarships
https://www.ascp.org/content/about-ascp/ascp-foundation/providing-scholarships
Pathology Interest Group Scholarships ($250 per group), Leadership Institute (one on one leadership training), Health Policy Fellowship (summer training in research and health policy)
ASCP Medical Student Award ($100 cash, recognition on the ASCP website)
Medical Student Travel Award ($1200 to attend the annual CAP meeting)
https://www.cap.org/member-resources/residents/cap-for-medical-students
Information for Medical Students interested in Pathology
https://www.scholarshipsads.com/category/subject/molecular-pathology/
International scholarships to conduct research abroad
http://www.aabb.org/development/scholarships/Pages/default.aspx
AABB scholarships for recent residents and fellows going into transfusion medicine
http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/science/pathology.htm
List of different scholarships for undergraduates studying pathology related fields (i.e. phlebotomy, pathology assistant, laboratory diagnostics)
Trainee and undergraduate ASIP awards and scholarships for research conducted in pathology and funding to attend the annual
List of pathology and scholarship opportunities for medical students and residents
APC scholarship awards for medical students and residents to conduct research
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