Chief Welcome
Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Pathology Residency Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My name is Megan Smith, a PGY4 AP/CP resident and current chief resident.
At Vanderbilt, we offer an integrated AP/CP curriculum with reserved time for elective rotations, allowing residents to explore their academic and professional interests. Our team of 25 residents encompass a diverse, enthusiastic group of individuals who help maintain a collegial environment. They are always ready to lend a hand, share resources, or hang out after work. We enjoy regular resident get-togethers, including the welcome party, annual retreat, holiday part, farewell party, and end-of-rotation celebrations.
Education is a key component of our program. We have daily didactic sessions covering topics in AP, CP, and lab management from a wide variety of content experts. We also hold unknowns conferences led by faculty or senior trainees that allow residents to practice describing histology, generating a differential diagnosis, and applying ancillary testing where appropriate. In addition, sessions are hosted on a broad range of special topics, including diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and even yoga. Residents have abundant opportunities to grow as educators as well. Residents may lead sessions at the medical school, give lectures at a local graduate school, host rotating medical students, and engage in interprofessional education of other learners in healthcare.
Additionally, the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology has research and clinical faculty who are enthusiastically committed to mentoring interested residents in research opportunities across a broad scope of topics.
The 2023-2024 academic year brings exciting new horizons with the implementation of our Clinical Lab Transformation and expansion of clinical and research opportunities for residents. The future looks bright for our program and our residents.
To offer a personal perspective, I chose Vanderbilt for its robust training in both anatomic and clinical pathology from highly qualified yet down-to-earth experts. I love seeing trainees, attendings, and techs alike learning together with shared enthusiasm for pathology. This blend of world-class expertise and collegiality makes Vanderbilt an excellent choice for a budding pathologist.
I would love to answer any questions you have about our residency program. Please email pathres.prog@vumc.org and indicate that you are interested in being connected with the chief resident.
We wish you the best of luck with this next chapter of your career.
Best,
Megan Smith, MD, MPH
Clinical Fellowship Programs
You can view the Twelve different Fellowship Programs and application requirements for each, here.
Residency Program
Find out about Vanderbilt University Pathology Residency Training Program here.
About Nashville
Located a little more than a mile from downtown, the university’s students, faculty, staff and visitors frequently cite Nashville as one of the perks of Vanderbilt. Learn more here.