Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training > Fellowship Programs > Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship

Program Overview

The Genitourinary (GU) Pathology Fellowship program provides extensive exposure and in-depth evaluation of non-neoplastic and neoplastic specimens from the kidney, urinary bladder, prostate and testis. At the conclusion of the fellowship year, the fellow is expected to:

Be sufficiently skilled in GU pathology to perform independently in a practice setting.
Understand the wide range of diagnostic pitfalls and approaches to recognizing and minimizing diagnostic errors in GU pathology.
Have the skills to organize and complete a laboratory-based and/or translational clinical research project.
Have developed the necessary teaching skills and experience to serve as a competent mentor to junior colleagues.

Participation at pathology and clinical conferences and teaching of younger trainees is required. GU pathology fellows are encouraged to engage in research projects with the intent to present their work at national meetings and publish their work.

The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine accepts one genitourinary pathology fellow per year. UCI establishes PGY levels for new fellows based on the successful completion of all prerequisite training required for entry into your fellowship program.

Application Process

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have:

Completed a four-year AP/CP residency or a three-year AP residency
Board-certification or be board-eligible in AP or AP/CP
A California medical license before beginning the fellowship
U.S. citizenship or have fulfilled residency or visa requirements before starting the fellowship. We honor J-1 visas but not H1-B visas.

Your application should include the following:

UCI CAP standardized application with supplemental form
Current curriculum vitae
Three letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Dean’s letter (MSPE)
Medical school diploma with English translation
USMLE scores (Step 1, Step 2CK, Step 2CS and Step 3) or COMLEX scores (Level 1, Level 2-CE, Level 2-PE and Level 3)
ECFMG (if applicable)
Previous ACGME training certificates (if applicable)

Interview Process

Applicants will be notified by email if they are selected for personal interviews with the division faculty members. We do not participate in the Unified Approach.

Interviews will occur between August and September 2024 for the July 2026 position. Interviews for July 2025 positions will occur as applicants submit their application.

Knowledge of common clinical procedures and their medical application and correlation with pathology specimens: cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, percutaneous kidney biopsy, transrectal ultrasound systematic and targeted prostate biopsy, ablation of renal tumors, genitourinary resections, abdominal CT and MRI, prostate MRI and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS).
Knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures, including special staining techniques, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular diagnosis, particularly in relation to GU specimens.
Knowledge of common special stains and immunohistochemical stains pertinent to GU pathology.
Knowledge of major genetic disorders of the GU system and associated diagnostic tests.
Knowledge of how to work up and diagnose GU conditions.
Knowledge regarding formulating a differential diagnosis for GU conditions, including appropriate grading and staging systems.
Knowledge about utilizing a variety of resources to investigate clinical questions.
Ability to maintain and update medical knowledge, including routine use of primary references and appropriate monographs in preparation of diagnostic reports, with citations when appropriate, including use of references in preparation for weekly interdepartmental conferences.
Regular participation in GU clinical conferences (listed in the curriculum).

Accurate assessment of clinical histories and procurement of additional information when necessary for GU cases.
Accurate interpretation of diagnostic information and test results in reference to accurate diagnosis and case management.
Advise clinicians and fellow pathology colleagues on the choice of clinically appropriate, cost-effective tests.
Advise clinicians on appropriate follow-up for unexpected test results.

To develop proficiency in presentation of GU pathology findings to pathologists, residents and clinicians.
To learn to communicate effectively with surgeons and clinicians about GU pathologic diagnoses.
To prepare accurate, effective, concise written reports.

To demonstrate respect, compassion and integrity in encounters with patients, clinicians, other fellows, residents and staff in the practice of pathology.
To complete written reports in a timely fashion.
To work effectively as a team with technical and administrative staff and treat technical and administrative staff with respect.
To participate effectively in GU pathology teaching conferences.
To participate effectively in multidisciplinary conferences that include GU pathology presentations.

To select appropriate, effective special studies for GU pathology cases.
To understand safety in GU pathology and the role of OSHA in setting workplace safety standards.
To understand the use of laboratory informatics systems in anatomic pathology for ordering, reporting, quality assurance and billing purposes.
To apply current tumor staging and grading systems and understand the role of these in data collection for tumor registries and national cancer databases.

To use case-based learning as a tool for additional insights into disease pathogenesis.
To locate, appraise and assimilate pertinent evidence from scientific studies.
To demonstrate effective problem-solving skills in surgical pathology, using a variety of information resources.
To ultimately develop diagnostic skills that allow for independent subspecialty-level sign-out of GU pathology cases.
To develop the knowledge base to serve as an expert consultant of GU pathology.

Benefits & Salary

Fellows receive 24 days of vacation. Benefits that apply to Genitourinary Pathology fellows include two white coats provided for the entire training, a $120 per month meal allowance for the UCIMC Cafeteria and up to $1,500 in reimbursements for education and conference fees. Fellows also receive additional benefits that are valid strictly from July 1 to June 30 each year of training. Funding is not rolled over year to year.

For current information regarding fellow salary and healthcare benefits, please visit the Residents & Fellows Salary, Benefits, Policies page on our UCI Graduate Medical Education website.

Moonlighting

Moonlighting is permitted to only non-J-1 visa holders. Time spent moonlighting will count toward the 80-hour per week work limit.

Giovanna Giannico, MD

Program Director, Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship

Professor, Pathology

Contact Us

For more information about our Pathology Fellowship programs, please contact:

Ellie Hunt
Fellowship Coordinator
hunte2@hs.uci.edu

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 101 The City Drive
Orange, CA 92868

Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship