Eligibility
Individuals are eligible to begin the pathology residency at Pennsylvania Hospital upon completion of medical school and/or following one or more years spent in a clinical residency. In selected cases, transfers from other pathology programs are considered for second-, third- and fourth-year positions. All residents and fellows must have a valid Pennsylvania Training License. Compliance with hospital policies such as mandatory drug screen and vaccination policies is required.
How to apply
**Starting from 2025, the program will no longer accept any new resident.
The University of Pennsylvania has three main teaching hospitals. This webpage information applies to the Pathology Residency program at the Pennsylvania Hospital. All PGY1 positions in categorical programs must go through the match by the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). This applies to US and International Medical Graduates, as determined by the “All-In” Policy by the NRMP.
All applications are only accepted via ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service). Visit the ERAS website for more information. The application deadline is December 15. Two (2) first-year positions are offered annually. Each completed application is reviewed by the Residency Selection Committee and a decision is made as to whether to offer an interview. Interview invitations are extended via email and a mutually convenient date is arranged, generally in the period from mid-October to mid-January.
**All applicants must meet the requirements to obtain a Pennsylvania Medical Training License to enter our ACGME accredited program.**
Please note: For the academic year starting 2021, all interviews will be held virtually, over a video conferencing platform (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
Application information
US Medical Graduates are required to provide a completed ERAS application, curriculum vitae, personal statement, USMLE score(s), Dean’s letter, and three (3) current letters of recommendation.
International Medical Graduates are required to provide a complete ERAS application, curriculum vitae, personal statement, three (3) current letters of recommendation, a current ECFMG certificate and USMLE scores.
In general, successful US and IMG applicants to our program have passed all USMLE exams on their first attempt. Verbal and written fluency in English is required. Experience in the US healthcare system is highly recommended for international medical graduates.
Visa
The Department sponsors J-1 visas, subject to approval. (Please Note: the Pathology Residency program at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is a separate residency program. More information is available on the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania program website.)
Contact us
Zhaohai Yang, MD, PhD – Program Director
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Karla Recalde, MS
Medical Education Coordinator
Email: Karla.Recalde@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Phone: 215-829-6992
Salary
| Position | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| PGY1 | $61,963.20 |
| PGY2 | $64,105.60 |
| PGY3 | $67,288.00 |
| PGY4 | $70,033.60 |
Health benefits
Comprehensive health insurance is provided for residents, their spouses/domestic partners, and dependent children. Residents participate in a long-term disability plan and life insurance. Malpractice insurance is also provided by the institution at no cost to the resident. Coverage options and plan details can be found at https://uphshrandyou.com/public/welcome.
Vacation
Residents are entitled to four weeks paid vacation during the academic year, along with three personal days. Residents can request to take vacation at the time of their choosing, in accordance with the department vacation policy. Attendance at academic conferences does not utilize vacation days. Any unused vacation days may not be paid out as additional compensation.
Family leave
The Penn program offers up to 12 weeks of FMLA for maternity leave or paternity leave to support our residents. In addition, the University of Pennsylvania has three Penn affiliated child care centers on or near campus including the Penn Children's Center - University of Pennsylvania which is just blocks away from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. A variety of other childcare centers and schools are in close proximity to the hospital and available to fit the individual needs of each family.
Penn library and facilities access
Residents have access to Penn libraries and library resources including online databases, electronic journals, multimedia and hard copy resources with borrowing privileges.
Residents can purchase a Penn gym membership which provides access to the University of Pennsylvania gyms and recreational facilities including the David Pottruck Health & Fitness Center, Hutchinson Gym, Robert A. Fox Fitness Center, and Sheerr Pool. Fitness centers offer a variety of fitness and wellness programs including group exercise, spinning, personal training, instructional classes in dance, yoga, golf, swimming and other activities, as well as access to the Pottruck climbing wall. In addition, massage therapy and other health and wellness services are available on an appointment basis. More information can be found at www.upenn.edu/recreation.
Mentorship program
In an effort to help the residents navigate the difficulties of pathology residency and to shape the career they envision, the program offers two different mentorship programs to the residents.
- Faculty-Resident Mentorship Program
- Each resident (mentee) is paired with a faculty mentor from Pennsylvania Hospital department of Pathology.
- They meet at least twice a year to discuss and formulate a plan to navigate residency and future career goals.
- Residents’ Peer - Mentorship Program
- Each incoming resident (mentee) is paired with a peer - mentor, who is either a senior resident (PGY3 and above) or a chief resident.
- The peer mentor will assist the mentee during the first month of residency in grossing as well as introduce and train the mentee on various other aspects of the laboratory, including use of electronic medical records and pathology reporting software.
- The mentor will also assist the mentee in planning initial career goals, fellowship options, and introduce to different educational opportunities that are available.
Crane award
The department offers an annual Crane Award (cash award) instituted in memory of Dr. Reynolds Crane, one of the former directors of the pathology department at Pennsylvania Hospital. This is awarded to deserving resident(s) who had significant scientific publication in the academic year.
Teaching award
The department also offers a Teaching Award. This award is given annually to one resident/fellow who has been exemplary in mentoring and teaching junior resident in on-boarding/orientation, autopsy, gross dissection, and/or pathology knowledge. Also obtains satisfactory overall performance in all other aspects of training.