Clinical Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellowship

This two-year, ACGME- and ABMGG-accredited fellowship provides: (a) didactic and hands on experience in laboratory genetics and genomics techniques to aid in the diagnosis of patients referred for testing due to a constitutional, prenatal, or oncology condition; (b) a strong foundation in basic human genetics, medical genetic disorders, and cancer genetics to enable the trainees to use their medical knowledge to make evidence-based decisions; (c) an environment and resources for the trainee to interact with clients with genetic disorders, and offer counseling to them about their genetics/genomics test result(s) in a manner that shows sensitivity for cultural, age, gender and intellectual diversity; (d) training in the management of the laboratory, including knowledge of quality control methodology and knowledge of/compliance with state and federal regulations; (e) training to develop effective listening, verbal, and written communication skills; (f) an environment that emphasizes professionalism and a commitment to ethical principles, with a special focus on maintaining confidentiality of patient information; (g) interactions with a variety of other health care professionals to enable the trainees to learn system complexities and approaches for working effectively with others; (h) models of cost-effective lab test utilization that does not compromise quality of care; and (i) training, as well as an environment to prepare the fellows for conducting/collaborating in translational research within the clinical setting.

Program Director: Colleen Jackson-Cook, PhD, FFACMGG

Recruitment Status: Currently accepting applications for 2 positions for the July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024 cycle. Applications for the 2022-2024 training cycle are reviewed August of 2021. Deadline for next application cycle December 1, 2021.

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Forensic Pathology Fellowship

This ACGME accredited fellowship with the State of Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), is for one year commencing July 1 and ending on June 30. Our fellows work with and are mentored by twelve Board-certified forensic pathologists within the OCME and have the opportunity to consult with specialists in areas such as neuropathology, forensic odontology, cardiac pathology, and forensic anthropology. Fellows will have an opportunity to attend a national meeting for NAME or AAFS. There is training and instruction with lawyers and court room experience. The fellow will consult with families, law enforcement, attorneys and others involved with their cases. Certified Mediocolegal Investigators participate in teaching fellows how to take reports of death and investigate scenes. The fellow will participate in journal presentations, attend and participate in mortality review meetings, have the opportunity to develop research projects and participate in student education.

Requirements: Applicants must be eligible for AP, AP/CP or AP and subspecialty board certification.  You must be able to obtain an unrestricted medical license and driver license for the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Program Director: Jennifer Bowers, MD

Recruitment Status:

•    Accepting application for 2022-2023; four open positions remaining

Further information and an application are available at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Website: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/medical-examiner/

Surgical Pathology Fellowship

This is a one year program designed for individuals who wish to pursue intense training in Surgical Pathology in an environment that allows graduated responsibility and independent work necessary to build diagnostic confidence and maturity. The Surgical Pathology laboratory at VCU Medical Center processes approximately 19,000 specimens/year representing benign and malignant pathology, biopsies as well as large complex resections from all organ systems. Sign-out in Surgical Pathology is subspecialized, assuring trainee interaction with faculty with expertise in specific organ system pathology. The general framework of this fellowship includes: nine months rotations through various subspecialty services (GI/Liver, GYN/GU, Breast/Heart/Lung/General, ENT /Dermatopathology) and three months of elective rotations. The fellowship allows flexibility in the schedule, depending on the fellow’s subspecialty interest. While on a subspecialty service rotation, the fellow signs-out the cases as a junior attending with the resident only, handles frozen sections and consultation cases, instructs the residents in handling complex specimens, and presents at interdisciplinary conferences. Elective rotations are available in Neuropathology, Cytopathology, Molecular Pathology, or other clinical pathology services (Hematopathology, Blood Bank).

Requirements: Candidates must have satisfactorily completed an accredited training program in AP or AP/CP and passed USMLE Step 3. 

Program Director: Valentina Robila, MD, PhD

Recruitment Status:

• Program is full, up until 2024-2025

Neuropathology Fellowship

This program provides intensive training in all aspects of Neuropathology (NP) with the aim of preparing our fellows for Board Certification and a successful career as an academic neuropathologist. Fellows gain familiarity with a wide variety of diseases of the nervous system, skeletal muscle, peripheral nerve, and eye, developing diagnostic proficiency through both morphologic examination and utilization of ancillary techniques including immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular analysis. A variety of research opportunities are available within the division and VCU Health, with an emphasis on neuro-oncology. Preference will be given to applicants seeking a conventional two year neuropathology training commitment, though other arrangements may be available on an individual basis.   

Requirements: At least two years of post-graduate training are required; this may include 2 years of anatomic pathology (AP) or 1 year AP plus 1 year clinical training in neurology/neurosurgery. Combined AP/NP applicants will also be considered.  Trainees must have passed USMLE Step 3.

Program Director: Hope Richard, MD, PhD

Recruitment Status: Scheduled to start accepting applications for the 2022-2024 cycle in July 2020; one open position

Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship

This is a one-year clinical fellowship which trains pathologists and medical geneticists for a career in molecular genetic pathology. The trainee receives a thorough exposure to all aspects of molecular genetic pathology including infectious diseases, hematopathology, oncology, human identity testing, and medical genetics. The VCU Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory is a state-of-the-art, 6,400 sq ft facility that performs more than 25,000 tests annually. Fellows participate in laboratory test development and translational research. The fellows are responsible for interactions with clinicians and other pathologists, and test interpretation as the training progresses. Fellows rotate through the human genetics clinical services and in the biochemical genetics laboratory. Hands-on experience is obtained with a broad range of molecular techniques including nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR, reverse transcriptase PCR, cytogenetics, FISH, SNP analysis, Affymetrix microarray technology, bone marrow engraftment chimerism studies, and nucleic acid sequencing.

Requirements: Candidates must have passed USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX 3, and satisfactorily completed residency in AP and/or CP, or in Medical Genetics.

Program Director: Michael Idowu, MD, MPH

Recruitment Status:

•    Will be accepting application starting June 1st 2023-2024 academic year

Hematopathology Fellowship

This fellowship is aimed at doctors who have completed residency training in AP, CP or AP/CP in the United States (ACGME accredited) or Canada and who are certified (or eligible for certification) by the American Board of Pathology and wish to pursue a career in academic hematopathology or in private practice. Intensive training is provided in blood and bone marrow morphology, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, and genetic/genomic analysis of hematopoietic malignancies. Fellows have rotations on the peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymph node sign out services as well as rotations in flow cytometry, cytogenetics, molecular pathology and hematology laboratories and lymph node pathology, flow cytometry, wet hematology, cytogenetics, molecular diagnostics, coagulation, and laboratory administration. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of specimen processing and correlation of histopathologic findings with flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. Opportunities exist for hands-on experience in performing bone marrow aspirates and biopsies and advanced training is provided in molecular diagnostics. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of numerous research and teaching opportunities available based on a high volume clinical service and extramural consult service, and close relations with the Hematology/Oncology Service and the VCU Department of Medicine.

Requirements: Preference will be given to applicants who have completed AP and/or CP training. All candidates must have passed USMLE Step 3.

Program Director: Roger S. Riley, MD, PhD

Recruitment Status:

•    Currently accepting application for 2021-2022 academic year; two open positions remaining
•    Currently accepting applications for 2022-2023; one open position remaining