Training in fellowship programs that are listed above are available within our department. Click on the name of your program of interest for more details.
The department offers a number of one or two-year fellowships in specialized areas of pathology for those who wish to continue their training beyond residency or to specialize in a particular area of pathology.
Fellowship Program Application Information
The VCU Department of Pathology uses the Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application Form for most of its programs, which can be found on the CAP website. Application forms and information about the Forensic Pathology program are available at the OCME website. Applications will be accepted starting July 1st, twenty-four months prior to the start date of the program academic year, and positions will remain open until filled.
Completed applications should be submitted, along with the following additional required documents:
- A one-page personal statement discussing your interest in pathology and your career goals.
- A complete and detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV). Be sure to include research and publications information.
- Acknowledgement that three letters of recommendation (which are on letterhead and have been signed) from attending pathologists are to be sent directly to the program coordinator. One letter must come from the director of the applicant's residency program.
- A photocopy of your citizenship papers or a photocopy of both sides of your permanent resident card, if you are a naturalized citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
- A copy of their USMLE/COMLEX transcript confirming that you’ve passed Step/Level 3 of that exam. All applicants for fellowship positions must have passed Step 3 of USMLE or COMLEX.
- A copy of your transcript from medical school.
- Note:
- If you are accepted into our program and are not a permanent resident or citizen of the United States, please know that you will be required to obtain a J-1 Clinical visa.
- You will also be required to provide original or notarized copies of your transcript and ECFMG certificate.
Application materials should be emailed to Senior Program Coordinator listed below and program director:
Pamela Adams-Lewis, MBA, HSA, EdD
Senior Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator
Department of Pathology
PathGME@vcuhealth.org
Cytopathology Fellowship
This one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship provides advanced training in all aspects of Cytopathology. The fellows participate in the daily sign-out of all specimens and provide immediate on-site interpretation for superficial and deep FNAs with progressive responsibilities leading to the development of diagnostic autonomy. There is substantial exposure to surgical pathology with emphasis on the correlation between these two disciplines, particularly as the needle core biopsies object of on-site interpretation are kept as part of the Cytopathology specimen. Approximately 16,000 specimens are evaluated annually, including 2500 non-gynecologic exfoliative specimens and 2100 fine needle aspiration biopsies covering the spectrum of cytopathology practice with extensive use of immunochemistry, flow cytometry, molecular and cytogenetic ancillary studies. The program includes a 2-week rotation in our solid tumor molecular diagnostics service. A dedicated Ultrasound-guided FNA (USFNA) service is located in the Pathology Department, staffed by three USFNA-trained pathologists, with an annual volume of 350 cases. The Cytopathology fellows receive training in FNA performance, actively participating in procedures under direct attending supervision with the objective of becoming proficient in both palpation and ultrasound-guided FNA. Appropriate clinical management as applied to surgical and cytopathology diagnoses and interdisciplinary communication is stressed, including case presentation at tumor boards. Participation in the instruction of residents through lectures and slide sessions is an integral part of the program. Over 4,000 glass slide study sets are available for review. Fellows will also gain practical skills in laboratory management. Translational research as well as clinical research for presentation at national level is strongly encouraged.
Requirements: Candidates must have satisfactorily completed an accredited training program in AP or AP/CP and passed USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX 3.
Program Director: Sadia Sayeed, MD - sadia.sayeed@vcuhealth.org
Recruitment Status:
- Currently filled for 2025-2026 academic year
- Accepting applications starting July 2024, for 2026-2027 academic year; 2 Positions Open
Hematopathology Fellowship
This fellowship is aimed at doctors who have completed residency training in AP, CP or AP/CP in the United States (ACGME accredited) or Canada and who are certified (or eligible for certification) by the American Board of Pathology and wish to pursue a career in academic hematopathology or in private practice. Intensive training is provided in blood and bone marrow morphology, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, and genetic/genomic analysis of hematopoietic malignancies. The fellows have rotations on the peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymph node sign out services as well as rotations in flow cytometry, cytogenetics, molecular pathology and hematology laboratories and lymph node pathology, flow cytometry, wet hematology, cytogenetics, molecular diagnostics, coagulation, and laboratory administration. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of specimen processing and correlation of histopathologic findings with flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. Opportunities exist for hands-on experience in performing bone marrow aspirates and biopsies and advanced training is provided in molecular diagnostics. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of numerous research and teaching opportunities available based on a high volume clinical service and extramural consult service, and close relations with the Hematology/Oncology Service and the VCU Department of Medicine.
Requirements: Preference will be given to applicants who have completed AP and/or CP training. All candidates must have passed USMLE Step 3.
Program Director: Guanhua Lai, MD, PhD - guanhua.lai@vcuhealth.org
Recruitment Status:
- Currently filled for 2024-2025 academic year
- Currently accepting applications for 2025-2026 academic year; 2 Positions - 2 open
- Accepting applications starting July of 2024, for 2026-2027 academic year; 2 Positions Open
Note: We will participate in the Hematopathology Fellowship Match starting in July 2024 to help recruit for our 2026-27 position openings. Additional information about this unified process is available on the following webpage:
https://www.society-for-hematopathology.org/web/education-match.php
Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
This is a one-year clinical fellowship which trains pathologists and medical geneticists for a career in molecular genetic pathology. The trainee receives a thorough exposure to all aspects of molecular genetic pathology including infectious diseases, hematopathology, oncology, human identity testing, and medical genetics. The VCU Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory is a state-of-the-art, 6,400 sq ft facility that performs more than 25,000 tests annually. Fellows participate in laboratory test development and translational research. The fellows are responsible for interactions with clinicians and other pathologists, and test interpretation as the training progresses. Fellows rotate through the human genetics clinical services and in the biochemical genetics laboratory. Hands-on experience is obtained with a broad range of molecular techniques including nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR, reverse transcriptase PCR, cytogenetics, FISH, SNP analysis, Affymetrix microarray technology, bone marrow engraftment chimerism studies, and nucleic acid sequencing.
Requirements: Candidates must have passed USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX 3, and satisfactorily completed residency in AP and/or CP, or in Medical Genetics.
Program Director: Selvaraj Muthusamy, MBBS, PhD - Selvaraj.Muthusamy@vcuhealth.org
Recruitment Status:
- Currently filled for 2023-2024 academic year
- Currently filled for 2024-2025 academic year
- Accepting applications starting in July 2024 for 2026-2027 academic year
Neuropathology Fellowship
This program provides intensive training in all aspects of Neuropathology (NP) with the aim of preparing our fellows for Board Certification and a successful career as an academic neuropathologist. Fellows gain familiarity with a wide variety of diseases of the nervous system, skeletal muscle, peripheral nerve, and eye, developing diagnostic proficiency through both morphologic examination and utilization of ancillary techniques including immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular analysis. A variety of research opportunities are available within the division and VCU Health, with an emphasis on neuro-oncology. Preference will be given to applicants seeking a conventional two year neuropathology training commitment, though other arrangements may be available on an individual basis.
Requirements: At least two years of post-graduate training are required; this may include 2 years of anatomic pathology (AP) or 1 year AP plus 1 year clinical training in neurology/neurosurgery. Combined AP/NP applicants will also be considered. Trainees must have passed USMLE Step 3.
Program Director: Hope Richard, MD, PhD - hope.richard@vcuhealth.org
Recruitment Status:
- Currently filled until 2025-2027 Academic Year
- Accepting applications starting June of 2025, for 2027-2029 Academic Year
Surgical Pathology Fellowship
This is a one-year ACGME-accredited program that offers comprehensive training in Surgical Pathology, in an environment that allows graduated responsibility and independent work to build excellent diagnostic skills and confidence.
The fellowship is designed to prepare trainees for a career as general or subspecialty pathologists. The sign-out in Surgical Pathology follows a subspecialty model, with services including breast/ thoracic, gastrointestinal/ liver, gynecologic, genitourinary, bone/ soft tissue, head and neck pathology, and dermatopathology. The schedule is flexible and allows fellows to rotate through all subspecialties or focus for an extended period on subspecialties of particular interest. There are no responsibilities for grossing or autopsies. Elective rotations are available in any area of pathology.
Fellows have an initial period of working closely with faculty to develop advanced diagnostic and reporting skills. Subsequently, the fellow will assume graduated responsibility for sign-out of institutional and consultation cases, independent intraoperative frozen section evaluation, and resident instruction. Presentations at multidisciplinary conferences are paired with subspecialty service rotations. There are multiple opportunities for residents and medical student teaching. The fellow is expected to participate in one of the many departmental research projects, and peer-reviewed publication is encouraged.
The Surgical Pathology laboratory at VCU Health processes over 25,000 cases a year, comprised of medical and complex oncologic surgical specimens. Resources for clinical and research activities include immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology, tissue microarrays, and bioinformatics. The trainees completing this fellowship have successfully taken positions as academic pathologists with responsibilities in service, teaching, and research, or as community-based pathologists with responsibilities primarily in service and laboratory management.
Requirements: Candidates must have satisfactorily completed an accredited training program in AP or AP/CP and passed USMLE Step 3.
Program Director: Valentina Robila, MD, PhD - valentina.robila@vcuhealth.org
Recruitment Status:
- Currently filled for 2025-2026 academic year
- Accepting applications starting July of 2024, for 2026-2027 academic year; 1 Position Open
Forensic Pathology Fellowship
This ACGME accredited fellowship with the State of Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), is for one year commencing July 1 and ending on June 30.
Our fellows work with and are mentored by twelve Board-certified forensic pathologists within the OCME and have the opportunity to consult with specialists in areas such as neuropathology, forensic odontology, cardiac pathology, and forensic anthropology.
We have a diverse curriculum schedule that includes lectures, conferences, labs, specialty courses on odontology, anthropology, radiology and hands-on instruction. A rotation through the Department of Forensic Science allows the fellow to see and understand how evidence is processed and assessed.
Fellows will have an opportunity to attend a national meeting for NAME or AAFS.
There is training and instruction with lawyers and court room experience.
The fellow will consult with families, law enforcement, attorneys and others involved with their cases.
Certified Mediocolegal Investigators participate in teaching fellows how to take reports of death and investigate scenes.
The fellow will participate in journal presentations, attend and participate in mortality review meetings, have the opportunity to develop research projects and participate in student education.
OCME participates in mass casualty exercises and drills with state and federal agencies featuring PAPR training, FEMA lectures, and ICS/Unified Command Structure education.
OCME Virginia is one of the nation’s first statewide decentralized medical examiner systems, one advantage of this is the uniformity of job performance, standards and training. All four district offices are available for training, and feature diverse patient populations.
Our office is NAME accredited and the forensic training program fulfills the eligibility requirements for the American Board of Pathology’s certification in Forensic Pathology.
Requirements: Applicants must be eligible for AP, AP/CP or AP and subspecialty board certification. You must be able to obtain an unrestricted medical license and driver license for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Program Director: Jennifer Bowers, MD
Recruitment Status:
• Accepting application for 2022-2023; four open positions remaining
