Education and Training

WashU offers an outstanding integrated anatomic and clinical pathology curriculum, emphasizing active resident involvement in all aspects of service work. Our program is known for producing highly skilled anatomic pathology (AP) diagnosticians and well-rounded clinical pathology (CP) practitioners.

To set residents up for success from day one, we’ve implemented a comprehensive orientation “bootcamp” and a strong peer mentorship program. First-year residents are paired with senior resident “buddies” for their initial week on a surgical pathology (AP) service, and for the first week of each CP service, providing guidance through day-to-day tasks. We also have a dedicated Pathologists’ Assistant focused solely on grossing education.

In surgical pathology, we follow a one-day, subspecialized cycle that includes previewing, writing reports, attending sign-out, ordering special stains or tests, and grossing specimens—all in a single day. Residents also actively participate in multidisciplinary tumor boards and morbidity and mortality conferences.

On CP services, residents take a hands-on role in laboratory management, gaining experience with test interpretation and on-call responsibilities. Additionally, on transfusion medicine, trainees will be afforded the opportunity to be involved in direct patient care through rounding, participating in our outpatient clinic, and overseeing procedures. CP training is enriched by multidisciplinary collaboration and ample research and presentation opportunities.

In addition, we have protected didactic time—typically daily at noon—with structured curricula in both AP and CP.  Residents also present interesting cases at case conferences, and research projects at Grand Rounds, on both AP and CP services. First-year AP residents benefit from relaxed, specialty-specific unknown slide sessions led by fellows and senior residents. Residents on the autopsy service host a biweekly conference to share interesting cases. Overall, the clinical training at WashU is thorough, dynamic, and deeply enriching.

Faculty and Staff Support

Our faculty are not only experts in their fields but are also genuinely invested in our growth. Each resident is paired with a faculty mentor early on, offering personalized guidance and support throughout training. In AP, we work one-on-one with attendings daily during sign-out, providing rich, hands-on learning at the microscope. Didactics and unknown slide sessions are also faculty-led. In CP, we collaborate closely with attendings to assess clinical test appropriateness and lab operations. Each rotation begins with curated lectures, activities, and comprehensive “survival guides” to help residents thrive.

During our training, we have incredible support not only from our faculty, but also from our Pathologists’ Assistants (all 10 of them!), laboratory technicians, autopsy technicians, and more. We are so grateful to be able to work alongside these professionals and learn from their experiences.

Research and Conferences

As a top-tier academic institution, WashU offers unparalleled research opportunities. Whether you’re an MD/PhD interested in our Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) or new to research, you’ll find a welcoming environment with robust research support. Our department is highly collaborative, and most residents find themselves choosing between multiple projects.

Research opportunities span the basic science, translational, and clinical domains. Our informatics curriculum includes a required quality improvement project, often leading to presentations and/or publications. With generous internal funding and strong faculty mentorship, residents regularly present at national conferences and publish impactful work. Recent projects have included the use of artificial intelligence, autopsy studies, and molecular characterization of various diseases.

Leadership Opportunities

We believe leadership development is essential to becoming a well-rounded pathologist. Residents serve on the Trainee Leadership Committee and attend quarterly meetings with the department chair to advocate for their peers and shape new program initiatives. Many residents also represent WashU on state and national committees such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP). With a steady stream of medical students rotating through the department, residents also enjoy meaningful teaching and mentorship roles.

Fellowships and Career Placement

WashU offers a wide range of AP and CP fellowships that frequently take in-house candidates. We strongly support residents in pursuing the path that aligns with their career goals—whether academic, private practice, research, military, or industry. Our graduates are highly competitive and well-prepared for the next step in their careers.

Facilities

Our department moved into a new building in 2016, shaped by input from faculty and residents alike. The result is a cohesive, state-of-the-art, pathologist-focused campus, featuring a cutting-edge gross room, digital pathology infrastructure, and advanced labs—all primarily located within three floors of the Institute of Health (IOH). There are two resident rooms with widows in IOH, one for AP and one for CP, with dedicated desk space for each resident. Dermatopathology and Cytogenetics are located nearby in the Cortex Building, accessible by a short walk or shuttle ride.

Most Importantly: Program Culture!

Now for our favorite part—what really sets WashU apart: the people!

Everyone talks about camaraderie, but here it’s real. If you haven’t experienced “Midwest Nice,” get ready! Our department fosters a collaborative, welcoming environment focused on learning and mutual support. Residents help one another thrive—academically, professionally, and personally. We have a strong peer mentorship program and host regular department-sponsored social events—from Cardinals and Blues games to Top Golf outings to monthly “Liver Rounds” where we connect over food, drinks, and informal chats with faculty and staff.

And yes, we actually hang out outside of work! Whether it’s sampling the city’s many farmers markets and food trucks, hiking in Missouri State Parks, trivia nights, playdates with our kids, trampoline parks, or grabbing drinks at a local brewery—we genuinely enjoy spending time together. The community we’ve built here feels like family, and that support makes all the difference during residency.

We hope this letter gives you a glimpse into why we love being part of WashU Pathology. For more information, check out the rest of our department website and follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@washupathres) to see what we’re up to! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to chat.

Warmly,

Becca, Margaret, Kat, and Jackson

Your 2025-2026 Chief Residents