Information about specific programs

[BoomerMD]

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Hello to all practicing and prospective Pathologists! I have been following this forum for about one month and I have appreciated all the valuable information I have learned from you about Pathology training. I am also considering doing a Pathology residency and am in the planning/preparing stage. I have two major areas that I need advice on at this time.
1. To those who are Pathologists or who are already well into their residency:
I am an older applicant who has completed an internship in Internal Medicine and has practiced in a primary care setting for over 10 years. I have actually been out of practice for several years because I have been the primary caretaker of an elderly parent. I would like to get back into the medical world and would like to complete my residency training. Any suggestions on what I can do at this stage to be a viable applicant and to gain exposure to the field of Pathology since I am no longer in school and am not available for clerkships, etc.

2. To everyone:
I am looking for information about the training program at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY and also am curious about the program in Augusta, Ga. or any other Southeast program.

 

[GreatPumpkin]

Boomer,
We have a resident in my class that was basically in your shoes. He spent time shadowing a private practice pathologist, getting some good letters of rec from them. At the same time he got to know the residency director of my program and he met with her a few times. I think if you contact the residency directors directly and tell them your situation they would give you an idea of the things they will expect from you to make you an attractive candidate.

I think your best bet on programs will be mid to small sized programs that are kind of middle of the road in competitiveness. I know the SE best, programs you should look at include MCV/VCU (my program), UNC, Wake, USC and UT. Programs like UVA, Hopkins and Emory will be tougher, but I would still talk to the res. director if you are interested.

Good luck.

 

[BoomerMD]

Thanks GP for your reply and advice! I noticed you didn't mention Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Is this because you don't know anything about the program or you don't recommend it? I was curious about this program because I noticed it didn't fill in the Match the last two years and I didn't know if that was a bad sign or a fluke since some pretty good programs don't always match for whatever reason. I have family in Georgia and so this program got my interest.

 

[GreatPumpkin]

I don't know anything about it. Not filling doesn't mean much as far as programs go, it could be they didn't rank enough candidates. It also could mean there is something wrong or just no one really wants to live in Augusta. You would have to check it out to find out for sure.