The overall goal of our Residency and Graduate Programs in Comparative Pathology is to prepare veterinarians for careers in academia, biotechnology or industry which require certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and a Ph.D. degree. The anatomic residency training program is the first step of a two phase training program leading to acquisition of the skills in diagnostic and experimental pathology. After 3 years of training under the guidance of A.C.V.P. diplomates, candidates are expected to take the A.C.V.P. certifying examination. Our intentis to provide an initial 2-year residency appointment to develop skills inmorphologic and diagnostic pathology and acquire a fundamental understandingof disease via rotating assignments to our hospital pathology services underthe guidance of an experienced faculty mentor.
Residents have the optionto compete for a third year of diagnostic pathology.
Essential skills developed during the training program include the recognition and accurate description of lesions, the formulation of morphologic diagnoses, and correlation of clinical signs with pathology findings. Furthermore, competence in scientific writing and public speaking are promoted through resident activities. The discipline is learned through rotations on the necropsy andbiopsy services and participation in departmental seminars. The VMTH offersa diversified case load including companion animals, food animals, laboratoryanimals, and a variety of wild and exotic species. The Service handles approximately2000 biopsies and 1200 necropsies of domestic animals and approximately 800Zoo and Wildlife accessions.