Department of Pathology

Discover the unique educational experience offered by the UIC Pathology Residency Program. We believe that pathologists-in-training should be exposed to a variety of practice sites, including academic-research and community-based settings. In this way, graduates from our program who pursue careers in academic pathology understand the practice of pathology by colleagues in community settings, and graduates who eventually practice pathology in community hospitals understand how an academic medical center functions. According to information from the Intersociety Council on Pathology Information, approximately 75% of practicing pathologists are in community practice.

Therefore, our residents have the opportunity to experience multiple facets of contemporary pathology through training at several sites with long-standing commitments to medical education: a tertiary-care, university hospital, a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and two large community teaching hospitals.

We accept applications exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service.  The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

• Program name: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.
• ACGME Program number: 3001621098
• AAMC ID number: 10009137

We receive a large number of applications (approximately 300 yearly) from which a select group of candidates will be invited for interviews.

American & Canadian Medical Graduates:

By the time of beginning residency, you must be a graduate of an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school in the United States or Canada and you must have successfully completed United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) Step 1 and 2 CK and CS (or equivalents).  A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required, in addition to your institution’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).  At least one letter from a pathologist with whom you have worked is strongly preferred.

By the time of beginning residency, you must hold a valid temporary or a permanent and unrestricted medical license in the State of Illinois. Non-U.S. citizens must have a valid visa. Work Clearance and I-9 forms must be completed by the Office of International Services at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The following information may be useful for medical students who wish to take electives in Pathology at UIC during the residency application process. The University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Office of Student Affairs coordinates electives for students who are not from the University of Illinois. Information may be found on the College of Medicine website.

International (non-U.S. or Canadian) Medical Graduates:

The UIC Department of Pathology does not offer observerships or intern/externships.

By the time of beginning residency, you must hold a valid, unexpired ECFMG certificate, as well as a valid temporary or a permanent and unrestricted medical license in the State of Illinois. Non-U.S. citizens must have a valid visa. Work Clearance and I-9 forms must be completed by the Office of International Services at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sufficient interview spots are not available for all qualified applicants. Three or more of the following are preferred for consideration for an interview:

• Significant research experience in the United States, preferably resulting in abstracts, papers, and/or graduate degree.
• Medical school curriculum in English
• ECFMG certification at the time of application
• USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK and CS successfully completed on first attempts
• USMLE Step 3 successfully completed
• One year of clinical residency in the United States or Canada
• Experiences particularly relevant to pathology

A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required, in addition to your institution’s Dean’s Letter. At least one letter from a pathologist with whom you have worked is strongly preferred.

Pathology is a dynamic specialty that appeals to individuals with a strong sense of intellectual curiosity, the ability to communicate and collaborate with other physicians, and the desire to teach. Although the discipline is broadly categorized into “Anatomic” and “Clinical” Pathology, these boundaries are evolving and merging into less distinct spheres as new techniques and investigative methods find applications in the various realms of pathology. Most residents choose to pursue training in both areas, although the backgrounds and interests of some residents may lead them to train in one area or the other, often in conjunction with a subspecialty area (for example, combined training in Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology).

The affiliates of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Pathology Residency Program enthusiastically welcome residents into this exciting and challenging postgraduate area. The program provides unlimited opportunities for the resident to pursue the specific goals & objectives of the residency and to become particularly expert in a select area(s) of anatomic and/or clinical pathology. Each member of the faculty is committed to sharing and expanding his/her knowledge and experience in conjunction with the teaching mission of the residency.

This residency seeks to provide a well-rounded training experience, offering the educational opportunities and thoughtful guidance that allow a resident to achieve the following goals in order to develop meaningful and productive careers in the community, academia, industry, or other avenues.

• Gain diagnostic competence and the ability to provide appropriate and effective care in the context of pathology services, thereby serving patients with excellence and distinction.
• Acquire knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate (e.g., epidemiological and social-behavioral) sciences and the application of this knowledge to pathology.
• Adjust to the ever-changing medical environment and different practice settings through the ability to: learn from his or her own practice; evaluate and assimilate scientific evidence; contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge; investigate and evaluate his/her diagnostic and consultative practices; improve individual care practices; and support clinical colleagues as a knowledgeable, understanding, and respected consultant.
• Cultivate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective relationships, information exchange and learning with other health care providers, patients, and patients’ families; teach, guide, and inspire students and other health care professionals, bridging the gap between the basic and clinical sciences through an integrated understanding of pathology.
• Establish and display a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
• Attain an awareness and responsiveness to the larger context and systems of health care and the ability to call on system resources to provide pathology services that are of optimal value; apply managerial techniques and administrative skills to offer the best service possible to patients and their physicians.