Program Information
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 approximately 75% clinical and teaching duties and 25% 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, resident seminar preparation, manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed publication, attendance and/or presentation at regional or national pathology conferences, and surgical pathology rotations.
Weekly – service rounds (cytology, hematology, clinical chemistry), UFVH house officer rounds, general pathology rounds, journal club (bi-monthly), cytology-oncology rounds, access to an extensive archive of hematologic and cytologic materials (e.g., ASVCP Mystery Cases, glass slide specimens of cytology/histopathology-correlated cases), and attendance at CVM clinical pathology courses during the first year of residency.
Clinical Duties
The UF clinical pathology service works closely with clinicians to actively participate in the diagnostic evaluation of a broad range of species, to include many zoologic and non-mammalian specimens.
A unique feature of this program is the direct daily support provided by clinical pathology faculty to residents as they carry out their clinical responsibilities.
While on clinic duty, residents interpret exfoliative, imprint, and fluid cytology submissions and draft reports in ACVP certifying exam format that are subsequently reviewed by the faculty on duty; examine and interpret blood films and urinalysis sediments referred for pathologist review; assist with preparation of bone marrow aspirate samples from UFVH patients; aid in quality assurance and control (QA/QC) assessment of preanalytical, analytical, and post-analytical laboratory errors; and assist students, technicians, and clinicians in obtaining clinical pathology information and data interpretation. In addition, while on primary duty residents are on-call to provide after-hours emergency clinical pathology services for the UFVH, for which they are compensated.
Caseload Data
Approximate % cases by species: 80% small animal, 10% large animal, 10% exotic/zoo animal/other
Total case accession volume: 30,000-35,000 annually (includes cytology, hematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, and endocrine testing)
Teaching Responsibilities
There are several opportunities for clinical pathology residents to gain experience teaching. Residents assist in teaching and laboratories for CVM clinical pathology courses offered to second-, third- and fourth-year veterinary students; instruct fourth-year veterinary students during their clinical pathology clerkship with the UFVH clinical pathology service; deliver lectures during the didactic portion of core and elective clinical pathology courses; and instruct interns and residents from other services during their required rotations with the clinical pathology service.
Research Opportunities and Graduate Studies
All UFVH residents are required to develop and carry out a small resident research project. The resident coordinator can assist in finding a suitable mentor and project. Competitive internal funding is available to residents who apply. While this is not a combined residency-graduate study program, residents may, on a case by case basis, opt to pursue MS or PhD degrees before or after the residency through the UF graduate school, to which they must apply separately. Residents may begin their MS/PhD research project while completing clinical pathology residency training.
Residency Certificate Requirements
To receive their residency completion certificate, residents must satisfactorily complete:
- Three years (36 months) of residency training in the residency program
- Resident research project for presentation during a scientific conference (e.g., Phi Zeta Day, ASVCP meeting) and/or publication in a peer-reviewed journal
- Two resident seminars during the first and second years
- A minimum of one first author publication (can include case reports, brief communications, “What’s Your Diagnosis?”)
Compensation
The 2024 starting salary is expected to be at least $50,000, plus $500 provided as a lump-sum annually for professional development. Additional funding may be available for research projects and travel and can be applied for on a competitively-selected basis. Residents receive an employer-paid package that includes many coverages: paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability, with additional options for pet, legal, cancer, long-term disability, and accident (out of pocket) insurance. With most plans, there is also the option to include family members on the coverage.
American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology Residency Listing
Our training program listing on the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
Questions?
Questions about the application process may be directed to Maura Pedersen. Informal inquiries or program-related questions may be directed to Dr. Chris Lanier.