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Resident Training Program in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology Program Goals Program Description The Residency Program which is based at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) is structured to provide the professional guidance, facilities, and casework for graduate veterinarians to obtain expertise in the discipline of anatomic pathology. Our intent is to provide an initial two-year residency appointment to develop skills in morphologic pathology and acquire a fundamental understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases via rotating assingments to our hospital pathology services under the guidance of an experienced faculty mentor. Residents have the option to apply for the Senior Residency after two years of training. Essential skills developed during the program include the recognition and accurate description of lesions, the formulation of morphologic diagnosis, correlation of clincial signs with pathologic findings, and integration of findings with pathology literature. Residents are also expected to understand the molecular, biochemical, and cellular basis for disease processes and species differences in responses to disease. Furthermore, competence in scientific writing and public speaking are promoted through resident activities. The discipline is learned through rotations on the necropsy and biopsy services and participation in seminars. The VMTH offers a diversified case load including companion animals, food animals, laboratory animals, and a variety of wild and exotic species. The Anatomic Pathology Service at the VMTH has approximately 2000 biopsies, 1200 necropsies a year of which approximately 15% are zoo and wild animal or exotic pet cases. Residents can gain further experience in non-human primate, poultry, food animal, and fish pathology through rotations at UC laboratories outside of the VMTH. Residents assume primary responsibility for gross and histopathologic evaluations and reports on all cases that are submitted during their assigned rotations. All aspects of case evaluation (gross necropsy, histopathology evaluation, and pathology reporting) are guided and reviewed by an A.C.V.P. pathologist. Cases are also reviewed by specialty pathologists when appropriate. The departmental seminars endeavor to supplement necropsy and biopsy casework by providing greater breadth and depth of material. Program seminars include Special Systems Pathology, Histopathology, Gross Pathology, and Surgical Pathology. Residents also participate in weekly Gross Pathology Rounds and Pathology Journal Club. Residents actively participate in these seminars, thereby acquiring experience in preparing and presenting findings to a professional audience. Residents are also expected to present their cases at VMTH clinical grand rounds, when appropriate. To acquire investigative skills, residents select an appropriate research topic based on hospital case material within their first year of residency under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This project should result in a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal (such as Veterinary Pathology) and a formal presentation at the VMTH House Officers Seminar Day. Experience in veterinary medical education needed for a career in academic pathology is acquired through instruction of fourth year students on necropsy rotation. Residents also assist in laboratories for General and Systems Pathology courses for veterinary students. Because residents are full time employees of the VMTH, they are not permitted to enroll in graduate school or take graduate courses for credit. However, graduate courses in pathology are often scheduled to allow auditing by residents. Program Length All residency appointments are renewed annually with renewal based on adequate progress. Most residents entering the program compete at least two years of concentrated anatomic pathology training. A third year of advanced training is available at the VMTH (Senior Resident) or at the San Diego Zoo (see program description for Zoo and Wildlife Pathology) based on interest and performance during the first two years of training. During the second or third year, qualified residents usually plan for transition to the Graduate Group in Comparative Pathology by selecting a research topic and doctoral thesis advisor. Graduate students in comparative pathology continue to participate in hospital pathology services on a part-time basis. Program Size The Program currently consists of four first year residents, four second year residents, a Senior Resident at the VMTH a third year resident at the San Diego Zoo, and a third year Lab Animal Resident. Up to 10 graduate students also participate in Program activities. Faculty include twelve A.C.V.P. Anatomic Pathology faculty, and four A.C.V.P. Clinical Pathology faculty. Pathologists from the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratories, the Center of Comparative Medicine, and Animal Resources Service on campus also participate in seminars and are available for consultations. Requirements for Admission to the Program Qualifications for admission include a D.V.M. (or equivalent degree) from an accredited school of veterinary medicine and a scholastic record sufficient for acceptance by our Graduate Group in Comparative Pathology (a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and veterinary school courses). Although resident applications do not apply to graduate school at the time of application to the residency, we give preference to residents who are qualified to continue their advanced training in a doctoral degree program. Application to the Residency Program requires: 1) a letter describing your interest in pathology and career goals; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) official transcripts of all college and advanced education; 4) three letters of recommendation (if possible, at least one should be written by an anatomic pathologist); and 5) class rank. Letters of recommendation should be addressed to: Dr. Linda Munson, Director of Anatomic Pathology Residency Training, VM-PMI, University of California, One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616. If you are a foreign applicant, you will need to submit TOEFL scores and have demonstrated written and verbal skills in English. Foreign applicants also should include an interpretation of their University grading system with their applications. All application material should be received no later than November 15, 2008 and should be mailed to:
Additional information can be obtained by contacting:
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