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Welcome from the Residency Program Director

Michael Ward

Welcome to the University of Utah Department of Pathology Residency Program. The program was established in 1960, is fully ACGME accredited, and has a long, stable history of training outstanding residents.  We offer training in combined Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP), Anatomic Pathology Only (AP-Only), Clinical Pathology Only (CP-Only), Combined Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology (AP/NP), and Physician-Scientist Research Pathway tracks. The program aims are as follows:

  • Train exceptional board certified pathologists by providing excellent training in all areas of pathology with exposure to a wide range of clinical material and state-of-the-art technology
  • Provide flexible training that can be tailored for careers in academia or private practice and prepare residents for leadership roles as academic or community-based pathologists and laboratory directors
  • Prepare residents to pursue advanced expertise in an area of particular interest (fellowship)
  • Prepare residents to lead quality improvement and patient safety initiatives in their future practices
  • Encourage and actively support resident research
  • Support wellness initiatives that foster resident well-being

The University of Utah is located in beautiful Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains with abundant outdoor activities and downtown amenities within minutes of the campus.  The University of Utah is recognized nationally as a leader in pathology and laboratory medicine.  In addition, U of U Health is consistently ranked in the nation’s top 10 for quality health care among academic medical centers.  Particular strengths of the University of Utah Department of Pathology Residency Program include:

  • Strong, well-balanced, and integrated training in both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in a large, diverse department with generous elective time enabling residents to tailor their training toward their career interests
  • Rotations in an academic medical center (University Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute), a national reference laboratory (ARUP), pediatric hospital (Primary Children’s Hospital), community practice (Intermountain Medical Center), and Utah State Medical Examiner’s office
  • A national reference laboratory owned by the University of Utah (ARUP Laboratories) enables the program to provide extensive hands-on training in Laboratory Medicine, including areas such as Molecular and Genetic Pathology and Laboratory Management in addition to resident exposure to cutting edge technologies
  • Abundant fellowship opportunities in the department (there are currently 14 fellowships encompassing Anatomic and Clinical Pathology subspecialties)
  • Opportunities to serve as an Assistant Medical Director at ARUP in an area of interest that provides valuable laboratory administration experience
  • Extensive research opportunities and generous department funding for research support and research-related travel to national meetings
  • An active mentorship program including specific mentorship for residents training in the physician-scientist research pathway
  • An active resident wellness program in the department and strong institutional focus on resident and faculty wellness

Thank you for your interest in our residency program. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Michael B. Ward, MD
Assistant Professor of Pathology
Residency Program Director