Program Overview

Anatomic Pathology Residency Program

Purpose

The anatomic pathology residency training program is designed to train competent and successful veterinary pathologists, with emphasis on preparation for the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) certifying examination. Trainees who complete our three-year program emerge as skilled and well-rounded diagnosticians, who go on to diverse careers in diagnostic service, research and academia, teaching, and industry.

In addition to development of skills in diagnostic pathology, our program also encourages personal and career development in areas such as education, scientific collaboration, and scholarly activity. Publication of original findings is supported and highly encouraged, whether in the form of case reports or original research. Additionally, trainees have the option to pursue advanced graduate training concurrently with their residency in the form of a M.S. or Ph.D.

General Characteristics

Residency training relies heavily on both case-based and rounds-based learning. Trainees acquire proficiency in anatomic pathology by working up case materials submitted to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (approximately 1,000 necropsy and 4,000 surgical cases per year). The program enjoys a heavy and highly varied case load, made up of companion and production species, as well as frequent wildlife, zoo, avian and aquatic specimens.

Training Facilities

• Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • A state-of-the-art facility for diagnostic work
• Oregon State University Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Consortium
  • Provides additional training opportunities
• Oregon State University Laboratory Animal Resources Center
  • Supports research and diagnostic activities
• Oregon National Primate Research Center
  • Offers unique opportunities for research and training
• Oregon Health & Science University
  • Collaborative partner for research and education
• Zebrafish International Research Center
  • Provides resources for research in aquatic species
• Oregon Zoo
  • Offers opportunities for working with exotic species
• Wildlife Safari
  • Provides experience with wildlife pathology

Faculty

Oregon State University is home to six anatomic and two clinical pathologists. Faculty interests are diverse and include pulmonary, neuro- and ocular pathology, animal models of infectious disease, comparative and research pathology, stem cell biology, AI and digital pathology, and veterinary education.

Duty Schedule

Trainees rotate through the following services, with a typical monthly rotation composed of one week each of the following:

Necropsy Week

Trainees rotate through the necropsy service for one week per month, where they are responsible for both supervising and performing complete necropsies. Trainees are paired with a supervising faculty member, who oversees case management.

Necropsy Histopathology Week

The week following necropsy service, trainees trim in fixed tissues, order slides, special stains, and ancillary tests, and write up comprehensive reports detailing their findings. Gross and microscopic findings are reviewed by the supervising faculty member who then finalizes the case.

Biopsy Week

Surgical specimens are submitted from the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and from outside practitioners, including the Oregon Zoo. Residents are paired with a pathologist, and together they review cases. Biopsy reports are then written by the trainee with the oversight of the supervising faculty memb