Veterinary Clinical Pathology Residency
Veterinary Clinical Pathology Residency at the University of Florida
Boards Preparation
Preparation for the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Clinical Pathology certifying examination is the primary focus of this residency program, which is comprised of 70% clinical and teaching duties and 30% independent research and study.
In addition to clinical and teaching duties for the UF Veterinary Hospitals, boards preparation is achieved in multiple ways:
- Annual – mock-ACVP board examinations, preparation of resident seminars, and surgical pathology rotations
- Weekly – clinical pathology rounds, UFVH resident rounds, AFIP/ASVCP slide review rounds, and pathology journal club, access to an extensive, computer-catalogued archive of hematologic and cytologic materials (e.g., ASVCP cases 1988 to present, >2500 glass slide specimens, >1600 slide transparencies, cytology/histopathology-correlated cases) and an International Pathology Slide Bank video laser disc required completion of the CVM clinical pathology courses during the first year of residency, optional enrollment in graduate school courses (e.g., eukaryotic molecular biology, immunology).
Graduate School
Residents may enroll concurrently as a masters or Ph.D. student and complete UF graduate school courses. This aids in boards preparation in addition to providing the opportunity to work concurrently toward completion of an advanced degree.
Clinical Duties
The UF clinical pathology service works closely with clinicians to actively participate in the diagnostic evaluation of a broad range of species, including a large number of zoologic and non-mammalian specimens.
A unique feature of this program is the direct, daily support provided by the clinical pathology faculty to residents while they complete their clinical responsibilities.
While on clinic duty, residents interpret exfoliative cytology submissions and draft reports in ACVP certifying exam format, which are subsequently reviewed by the faculty on duty examine and interpret blood films and urinalysis sediments referred for pathologist review collect bone marrow aspirate and core biopsy samples from UFVH patients interpret serum protein electrophoreses assist students, technicians, and clinicians in obtaining clinical pathology information and data interpretation. Also, while on primary duty, residents are on-call to provide afterhours emergency clincal pathology services for the UFVH.
Teaching Responsibilities
There are several opportunities for clinical pathology residents to gain experience teaching. Residents assist in teaching all laboratories for the CVM clinical pathology courses offered to freshmen, sophomore, and junior veterinary students instruct junior veterinary students during their elective clinical rotation with the UFVH clinical pathology service give lectures during the didactic portion of the CVM elective clinical pathology courses offered to junior veterinary students instruct interns and residents from other services during their rotation with the UFVH clinical pathology service.
Research Opportunities
All UFVH residents are required to do a resident research project. The resident coordinator will assist you in finding a suitable mentor and project. Competitive internal funding is available to residents who apply. Residents may also begin their Master’s/Ph.D. research project while completing clinical pathology residency training.
Residency Certificate Requirements
To receive their certificate of residency completion, residents must complete:
three years of residency training
their resident research project
three resident seminars – one seminar presentation per year of residency
three first author publications
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should have:
A DVM or VMD or equivalent degree (required)
At least one year of postgraduate clinical experience (strongly preferred)
To apply, please submit the following materials by December 1st:
Letter of intent stating career goals and prior preparation for a career as a clinical pathologist
Curriculum vitae
Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a ACVP-certified pathologist preferred)
College transcript(s)
Submit application materials to:
Electronic application materials are preferred.
Please send to Dr. Heather Wamsley.
Postal address as a second option
Dr. Heather Wamsley
University of Florida
College of Veterinary Medicine
Box 100103
Gainesville, FL 32610
Questions?????
Please contact Dr. Heather Wamsley, clinical pathology residency coordinator