Pathology & Lab Medicine Academic Programs Residency Training

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Medical University of South Carolina offers a fully accredited training program in anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP). The AP/CP program consists of a 40 month core curriculum with 8 months of elective. Anatomic Pathology core rotations include autopsy pathology/forensic pathology, surgical pathology, cytopathology, dermatopathology renal pathology, and VA pathology. Clinical Pathology core rotations include hematopathology, flow cytometry, clinical chemistry, microbiology, transfusion medicine, apheresis, histocompatibility laboratory, molecular pathology, cytogenetics, laboratory management and informatics. Eight months elective time is available for more in-depth studies in areas of special interest and/or research. Fellowships are offered at the discretion of the Chair in forensic pathology, dermatopathology, cytopathology, surgical pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, hematopathology molecular pathology, neuropathology, and clinical chemistry.

The institution is accredited for twenty-two residency positions in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology, with an even distribution of residents at all levels. The department participates in the electronic residency application service (ERAS). The deadline for residency application is by November 1st the year prior to entrance.

The MUSC Teaching Hospital System and the Charleston VA provide the pathology training program with an abundance of clinical material. Approximate yearly figures for (2019) are: 64,116 anatomic pathology cases consisting of 23,607 general surgical pathology cases (51,416 specimens), 1895 general surgical pathology consult cases, 711 neuropathology cases (1014 specimens), 76 neuropathology consult cases, 10,451 dermatopathology cases (14,235 specimens), 513 dermatopathology consult cases; 11,050 cytology specimens (11,476 pap smears, 4 pap consult cases, 7,260 Non-GYN cases (includes FNA's), 2,506 fine needle aspirations, 2433 FNAs with onsite interpretation/immediate adequacy, 924 GYN consults; 87 medical autopsies, 1133 forensic autopsies, 310 diagnostic electron microscopic procedures: and 123 immunoflorescent cases (kidney, heart and skin). The Division of Laboratory Medicine performs approximately 3,074,454 laboratory medicine test (including transfusion medicine- 198,019; HLA-47,937, urinalysis- 65,307; chemistry- 1,778,642, hematology- 515,512, coagulation- 170,327: immunology-177,254; cytogenetics (with karyotypes)- 1027; miccrobiology- 148,559; flow cytometry- 7809; and molecular (including FISH)- 73,256. In addition, the residents rotate through the actie apheresis unit which is located in the Department of Nephrology where 4473 procedures were performed in 2018, including therapeutic plasma exchange, red blood cell exchange, hematopoietic progenitor cell collection from autologous and allogeneic donors, cell depletion, and therapeutic phlebotomy. The Divisions of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine are housed primarily on the second and third floors of the Children's Hospital, with additional space located in Hollings Cancer Center, Rutledge Tower (outpatient facility), Ashley River Tower (GI and Cardiovascular) facility, and the Medical University Hospital. In excess of 55,000 square feet are dedicated to the two divisions.

Besides the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Related Professions, and Graduate Studies of the Medical University of South Carolina, educational institutions in Charleston include the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, The Citadel Military College, Trident Technical College and several business colleges. This progressive historic seaport city offers its own symphony orchestra and ballet companies, choral and theater groups and outstanding recreational areas to 818,113 persons in the metropolitan area. Historic homes, plantations, gardens, access to the intracoastal waterway, beaches and year-round fresh and salt-water fishing, sailing, surfing, golfing, etc, which draws thousands of tourists yearly, are within minutes of the medical center.

Annual stipends are from $56,751.00 upward. Interns and residents are provided individual office space, computer, microscope, equipment and parking. Malpractice insurance is provided.