Pathology Residency & Fellowship Training Program

Applicant Information

Medical school seniors and all other applicants receive appointments through the National Residency Matching Program. Resident candidates must be graduates of approved medical schools in the US or Canada or must be graduates of foreign medical schools who have ECFMG certification. All applications for PGY-1 positions must be submitted through the ERAS system. Deadline for applications is December 1.

All applicants must have passed step 1 and 2 of USMLE or COMLEX, preferably after one attempt. For graduates of foreign medical schools, clinical experience in the US is preferred. Applicants who have graduated from medical school more than 5 years ago will be considered only under exceptional circumstances. Non-US citizen applicants must meet the requirements for United States visa eligibility.

Our program receives approximately 600 applications every year. A total of 40-50 applicants are invited for interviews that take place from late October to early February. The Residency Admissions Committee meets in middle February to discuss and create the final ranking list submitted to the National Residency Matching Program.

Welcome from the Chief Residents

Welcome from the 2025–2026 Chief Residents

Thank you for your interest in the UTMB Pathology Residency Program!

As your chief residents for the 2025–2026 academic year, we’d like to share a few reasons (in no particular order) why we love our program and believe UTMB is an excellent place to begin your journey in pathology.

Supportive Work Culture & Safe Learning Environment

UTMB fosters a collaborative and respectful work culture where residents are supported at every step of their professional development—from mastering core pathology concepts to engaging in research and applying for fellowships. Faculty are approachable, dedicated teachers, and always willing to share their expertise. Pathologists’ Assistants and lab techs are integral to the resident learning experience. Your co-residents and fellows are also incredibly supportive and ready to help whenever needed. No question is too small to ask here.

Opportunities for Professional Growth

UTMB is a leader in Diagnostic Management Teams (DMTs) and emphasizes a holistic, integrative approach to diagnosis. You won’t just learn pathology - you’ll learn to connect pathology, clinical, and radiologic findings to guide patient care, and you'll develop strong communication skills to relay your findings to clinical teams.

While research is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Residents regularly publish case reports, collaborate with clinical departments, and engage in translational research. Additionally, there are many opportunities to teach medical students and peers - both formally and informally.

Diversity

Our residency is a vibrant community of U.S. medical graduates (MD and DO) and international medical graduates from across the globe. The same is true for our faculty. This diversity enriches our educational environment and fosters a truly global perspective on medicine.

Flexibility in Training

UTMB offers multiple training paths to meet your career goals:

• 4-year AP/CP track
• 3-year AP-only track
• 3-year CP-only track
• Physician-Scientist track

Ample elective time is available (depending on track) so you can tailor your residency experience. You also have the opportunity to rotate at world-renowned institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center. Program leadership is highly responsive and committed to continuous improvement based on resident feedback.

Proven Track Record of Success

Our residents regularly present at state and national conferences and receive recognition through awards and fellowships. Recent fellowship matches include:

• MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Mayo Clinic
• NIH
• Johns Hopkins
• Yale University

Many residents also choose to stay at UTMB for fellowship training or join our faculty, a testament to the quality of training here.

Fully Embracing Digital Pathology

UTMB is at the forefront of digital pathology. 100% of in-house surgical pathology and autopsy slides are reviewed digitally—no glass slides! This allows for:

• Greater diagnostic accuracy
• Easy access to archived cases
• Seamless integration with EPIC
• Remote collaboration
• Simple image capture for teaching and publications

We currently use Philips whole-slide imaging, fully integrated into EPIC, placing clinical history, imaging, reports, gross images, and slide scans just clicks away.

Unique Patient Population & Location

UTMB serves a wide range of patients, including both Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmates and the general population, offering a unique clinical perspective.

Located on Galveston Island, less than an hour from Houston, we enjoy the benefits of coastal living—beautiful beaches, wildlife, water sports, and affordable housing. Galveston is also a major cruise ship port, so you’ll encounter patients from around the world.

Although UTMB has multiple campuses, most residency training occurs on the Galveston campus. Occasional travel to Clear Lake or League City campuses may be required, but this is rare.

These are just a few of the reasons why we love our program. We hope you consider the UTMB Pathology Residency Program for Match 2026, and we cannot wait to meet you!