Pathology & Laboratory Medicine About Us Message from the Chair Contact Us Education & Training Residency Program Fellowship Programs CLS Program Graduate Program Continuing Education Programming Research Experimental Tissue Resource Shared Facility Divisions Faculty Hematopathology Fellowship The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine offers a one-year, ACGME-accredited Hematopathology Fellowship. Home Research Research: Clinical Departments Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Home Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training > Fellowship Programs Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training > Fellowship Programs > Hematopathology Fellowship Program Overview The Hematopathology Fellowship program is designed to provide comprehensive training in diagnostic hematopathology and laboratory hematology, including morphologic evaluation of peripheral blood smears, body fluids, bone marrow, lymph nodes and other tissue, performance of bone marrow procedure, interpretation of laboratory hematology, coagulation, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, chromosomal and molecular cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. The fellow is trained and serves as the primary consultant for the hematology laboratory mainly in the UCI Medical Center, with approximately 1.4 million hematology and coagulation tests per year and more than 2,500 hematopathology cases, including bone marrow, flow cytometry, lymph nodes, other tissue and referral/consultation cases. The fellow is also provided with the learning opportunities at Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC) for pediatric hematopathology and conducting scholarly and research activities in the broad field of hematopathology. The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine accepts one hematopathology 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 Our program participates in the National Resident Matching Program. Applications for July 2026 positions will be accepted beginning October 1, 2025. Applicants who wish to inquire about the 2026-27 academic year are encouraged to reach out via email. Please submit application and letters electronically (PDFs) to Ellie Hunt, fellowship coordinator, at hunte2@hs.uci.edu. 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 are notified by email if they are selected for personal interviews with the division faculty members. Interviews for July 2026 positions will occur between January and April 2025. Ranking Opens: March 12, 2025Ranking Closes: April 16, 2025Match Day: April 30, 2025 Goals The overall goal of the Hematopathology Fellowship is to provide the trainee with a set of tools that will enable him or her to develop and maintain a level of expertise in laboratory hematology appropriate to the professional responsibilities of a practicing hematopathologist. These tools include: Basic principles of laboratory hematology, including hemoglobin electrophoresis, morphology, flow cytometry, molecular studies, quality assurance and laboratory management. Development of effective personal references, including textbooks, journals, files, databases, search strategies, etc. Development of a set of personal educational objectives for the fellowship. Opportunities to gain proficiency in hematology by employing these tools in the clinical laboratory will be provided. Objectives A number of specific objectives subtend the overall goal. These objectives are presented below, organized by the general competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Pathology Residency Review Committee (RRC) as expected of all residents. Patient Care The fellow will demonstrate ability to: Gather appropriate and accurate clinical information. Interpret laboratory test results within the clinical context. Use clinical decision-making concepts and techniques in interpreting results. Advise clinicians on the choice of clinically appropriate, cost-effective tests. Advise clinicians on appropriate follow-up for unexpected test results. Perform bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Medical Knowledge The fellow will demonstrate: Knowledge of common hematology tests and their medical application and correlation. Knowledge of the effects of anticoagulants, specimen collection techniques, aging of specimens, and fixatives on the various analytical techniques used in the hematology laboratory. Ability to collect and evaluate medical evidence regarding the utility of laboratory tests. Ability to use a variety of resources to investigate clinical questions. Development of a personal strategy to maintain and update medical knowledge regularly. Systems-Based Practice The fellow will demonstrate: Understanding of the role of the laboratory in the healthcare system and the importance of reliable, cost-effective and timely laboratory results in clinical decision-making. Ability to work with clinicians, administrators and others to determine the role of the laboratory in specific situations to optimize patient outcomes. Understanding of CLIA, CAP and JCAHO requirements for clinical laboratories. Understanding of basic laboratory reimbursement mechanisms and regulatory requirements, including kickbacks and compliance with Medicare/Medicaid “fraud and abuse” avoidance requirements. Ability to do cost analysis of laboratory tests. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement The fellow will demonstrate: Ongoing identification and remediation of gaps in personal medical knowledge. Understanding and ability to apply the principles of quality control and quality assurance. Ability to evaluate current and proposed testing methods for analytical performance, clinical utility and cost-effectiveness. Use of proficiency-testing results to improve laboratory practice. Ability to use laboratory problems and clinical inquiries to identify process improvements that may minimize opportunities for medical errors. Professionalism The fellow will demonstrate: Knowledge and understanding of ethical and privacy issues affecting the clinical laboratory. Maintenance of confidentiality of patient information. Respectful behavior toward all patients and medical personnel. Prompt and courteous response to all pager and telephone calls. Regular, punctual attendance and participation in rounds, conferences, meetings and rotation responsibilities. Interpersonal and Communication Skills The fellow will demonstrate: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clinicians, medical technologists and other medical personnel. Ability to use appropriate modes of communication (direct, telephone, email and written). Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations, including presentation of pathologic findings at interdisciplinary clinical conferences. Current & Past Fellows Current Fellow Anthony Wheeler, MD Anthony M. Wheeler, MD, has lived in and traveled to many unique places, and is considered to be a citizen of the world. He obtained an engineering degree from the University of Miami and worked as a professional biomedical engineer for a Fortune 500 company before obtaining his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI. Afterwards, he moved to Chicago, IL and completed his pathology residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Anthony is the current Hematopathology Fellow at the UCI School of Medicine. Anthony enjoys chasing penguins in South Africa, visiting pizza shops in Mexico City that allow dancing and sipping coffee in the morning. He only has one regret in life, and that is not knowing another language, so if you see him, speak to him in Spanish, or some other language besides English. Past Fellows 2023-24: Truc Tran, MD 2022-23: Ashley Gamayo, MD 2021-22: Mathieu Pelletier, MD 2020-21: Gabriella Cardoza-Favarato, MD 2018-19: Jayne Healey, MD Program Leadership Xiaohui Zhao, MD, PhD Professor, Pathology Director, Hematopathology Fellowship Program, Pathology Connect with Us For questions about our Hematopathology Fellowship program, please contact our fellowship coordinator. Contact Us