Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology

Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology

Residency Training Program

 

Program Mission

The post-DVM programs in anatomic and clinical pathology at Kansas State University are a three-year program of study for individuals who desire advanced and expanded training in pathology in preparation for careers in academia, industry, private laboratories or government. The goal of the program is certification in veterinary anatomic pathology or veterinary clinical pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). We are dedicated to enriching the profession through the increased diversity of our faculty, staff and students.

For Information Contact:

Dr. Brittany Rasche, Residency Coordinator

Anatomic Pathology
785-532-3995
blrasche@vet.k-state.edu

Dr. Jamie Retallick, Residency Coordinator

Clinical Pathology
785-532-4129
retallick@vet.k-state.edu

Program Organization

The program is conducted predominantly by the pathology faculty (board-certified veterinary anatomic and clinical pathologists) in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology. Other faculty and technical personnel also contribute to the program to a lesser extent.

The program involves three years of intensive training that is focused on participation in the service and teaching activities of the department. There is no experimental research requirement for the program, though various collaborative research projects are often available for interested residents. Trainees are given case responsibilities in the necropsy and biopsy services (anatomic pathology) or cytology service (clinical pathology), and trainees engage with teaching pathology to veterinary students. Seminars and rounds are conducted by KSU or visiting faculty to provide trainees with a strong foundation in the basics of pathology and diagnostic investigation. Although these activities are important, independent study and commitment by each trainee are central to the training program, and are essential for successful preparation for ACVP certification.

The pathology residency training programs fulfill the training component for each phase of the board examination by the ACVP. As outlined by the ACVP, the standard route of training consists of a minimum of three years of training in anatomic or clinical pathology subsequent to graduation from veterinary school. Trainees are expected to complete Phase I of the ACVP examination during year two of their program, and Phase II of the ACVP board examination at the end of the three-year program. Trainees are expected to develop a plan of study for these examinations early in their program under the guidance of pathology faculty.

Diagnostic Service

Residents in veterinary anatomic pathology participate in the necropsy and biopsy services of the department. Trainees have primary case responsibility (under pathologist supervision) and supervisory responsibilities for senior veterinary students. The initial level of case and supervisory responsibility will be determined based on the background and experience of the trainee. These responsibilities will increase throughout the program as the trainee gradually becomes more independent. Contributing to diagnostic service allows trainees to improve their skills in necropsy technique, specimen collection, ancillary tests, histologic interpretation, case description and reporting, case management, client communication and associated activities.

Residents in veterinary clinical pathology participate in the clinical pathology services of the department. Trainees will be given case responsibility that is appropriate for their experience and stage of the program. Trainees receive supervised training in cytology, surgical pathology, hematology, clinical biochemistry and general pathology. Trainees will have primary case responsibility (under pathologist supervision) following familiarization with service expectations.

Teaching

Residents in veterinary anatomic pathology participate in the laboratory education of second-year veterinary students for courses in general and systemic pathology (VDMP 832 and VDMP 857). Responsibilities in these courses include demonstration and discussion of gross and histologic lesions, presentation and moderation of case discussions and answering questions during laboratory exercises. Senior residents are also expected to assist with the training of incoming new residents.

Residents in veterinary clinical pathology will participate in case discussions for second-year DVM students in clinical pathology I (VDMP 811), third-year DVM students in clinical pathology II (VDMP 848), and case discussions with fourth-year DVM students in the diagnostic medicine rotation (VDMP 902). Responsibilities in these courses will include leading and guiding discussion and interpretation of data obtained from clinical cases and assisting students in learning laboratory techniques and interpreting data from the use of these techniques.

Seminars and Rounds - Residents are required to attend and participate in necropsy, histopathology, oncology, dermapathology, ocular pathology, journal club and clinical pathology rounds.

Scholarly activity/research

Trainees are expected to prepare cases and/or projects for presentation at regional and national meetings (ACVP, AAVLD, STP, etc.) and are provided with funding support to do so. Although there is no formal research requirement, residents are encouraged to participate in collaborative research projects, of which there are several available in the College of Veterinary Medicine. First author publication of at least one peer-reviewed journal article (case report, case series, small research project, etc.) during the course of the three-year residency program is encouraged.

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