Pathology

Program Overview

The UCLA Department of Pathology offers training programs in anatomic and clinical pathology, with multiple different program tracks which supports 22 residents. The training is provided through a combination of clinical activities and responsibilities, teaching conferences and didactics. Early exposure to all essential aspects of pathology allows residents to begin to formulate educated decisions about their fellowship as well as career paths.

Our goal is to provide training pathologists with the tools, education and experiences to become exceptionally competent, well-rounded practicing pathologists at the completion of their training with opportunities for subspecialty training, academic, and community practice. Most resident rotations occur on the main UCLA campus/UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, with off-site rotations at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, LA County Coroner Office, and UCLA Microbiology in Brentwood, and elective rotations available at additional sites across Los Angeles including Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

Trainees also have ample opportunities to become involved in research projects during their training, and they often publish and present their results at national meetings. Participation in institutional, regional and national committees is encouraged. Medical student teaching opportunities are also readily available, either via lab sessions with the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, or on service through which many in house and outside medical students rotate.

  • The pathology program at UCLA has a rich history, founded in 1956.
  • Annually, UCLA Laboratories performs more than 5 million clinical tests, 135,000 Immunogenetics tests, examines 100,000 surgical samples/biopsies, 45,000 cytology specimens and 25,000 genetic/cytogenetic cases.
  • In addition to testing, the lab also includes the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center, the largest hospital based donor center in the United States, which collects approximately 20,000 whole blood and 10,000 platelet units a year.
  • We also offer comprehensive clinical and anatomic test menus to physicians and hospitals outside of UCLA through our outreach program. The outreach services also includes our telepathology program, which allows us to provide diagnostic services to hospitals within the UC system and as far as China and other countries.
  • In addition to training pathologists, the department has training programs for clinical laboratory scientists, cytotechnologists, clinical cytogeneticists, clinical immunohematology scientists, clinical microbiologists, clinical laboratory geneticists and pathology assistants.
  • The department receives greater than $38 million in research funding, of which more than $34 million is NIH funding.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the residency program is to produce academic-focused pathologists that serve as leaders in healthcare through training at a large academic quaternary medical center. The program's mission aligns with the sponsoring institution (to deliver leading-edge patient care, research, and education).

Program Aims

To provide clinical training in sub-specialized areas of practice afforded by a large high volume quaternary medical center. To promote leadership development through work with complex healthcare teams in research, clinical, quality innovation and improvement projects and experiences.