Pathology Education
Teaching the next generation of pathologists innovative medical and diagnostic techniques.
Over 20 Fellowship Positions
Training the next generation of outstanding NIH-funded practicing pathologists
Find Your Fellowship
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine Fellowship
Breast-Gynecologic Pathology Fellowship
Clinical Chemistry Fellowship
Clinical Informatics Fellowship
Cytopathology Fellowship
Genitourinary-Medical Kidney Pathology Fellowship
Hematopathology Fellowship
HLA Fellowship
Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship
Neuropathology Fellowship
Ophthalmic Pathology Fellowship
Surgical Pathology Fellowship
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Welcome to the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine
Message from Vice Chair- Suzanne Z. Powell, MD
Thanks for your interest in our Pathology Residency Program. Our chair, James M. Musser MD, PhD, and I invite you to review our program’s video to learn about the program structure from the following pages.
Our residency program is accredited by the ACGME for 20 trainees, and we usually recruit 5 trainees annually. We have 13 fellowships, 12 that are accredited by the ACGME and the 13th, in Clinical Chemistry, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with Texas A&M College of Medicine and serves as a training site for MS3 and MS4 medical students. In addition, Houston Methodist Hospital houses a new medical school program, also with Texas A&M, in Engineering Medicine. The medical students from both programs may rotate in our Department, and our trainees have the opportunity to interact with and teach these students.
Recruitment is a special time for us, and we look forward to meeting you! The majority of our rotations occur within Houston Methodist Hospital. Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked in the Top 20 Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports, is ranked in 10 specialties, and is consistently ranked the number one hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital is an adult hospital without pediatric services. We were the first department of pathology in the United States to be approved to transfuse convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to acutely ill patients hospitalized with active COVID-19 infection. Our department has supported diagnostic testing for COVID-19 for our entire seven-hospital system, which encompassed 17-40% of all hospital positive COVID-19 cases in Houston. Our clinical pathology services (blood banking/transfusion medicine, hematopathology, microbiology, and clinical laboratory services, including molecular diagnostics) and anatomic pathology services (surgical pathology and subspecialties, cytopathology and autopsy service) are second to none. The residency program provides two daily conferences, at 8
Our program offers a Resident Research Track that is tailored to each candidate’s skills, interests, and expertise. An additional application form (beyond ERAS) is required.
The residency program is structured to meet the needs of each individual in the context of requirements by the ACGME for training and the American Board of Pathology for certification. Anatomic and Clinical Pathology rotations are mixed throughout the years of training, and interested candidates may enter training in AP/CP, AP/NP, AP only, or CP-only tracks. Interest in the CP-only track should be declared, as there is a separate matching program for that track. The other options are contained in the general match. Outside required rotations are at the Harris County Institute for Forensic Sciences, and pediatric pathology at University of Texas – Houston, Hermann Children’s Hospital, as well as two required rotations (PGY3 and PGY4) at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Autopsy and Surgical Pathology. The program is structured to develop graduated responsibility in all areas of Pathology. Residents participate in leadership and management activities in the department, and are critical elements in the preparation for CAP Accreditation of the laboratories. A myriad of other elective opportunities are available. We create a supportive educational setting that provides for individual growth and development for all. Our residents are involved in hospital committees, GME committees, and volunteer activities sponsored by the hospital system and we encourage their participation in committee activities in organized pathology when possible. We look forward to hearing from you, and we welcome any questions you may have regarding any of our programs.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about our program.
Vice-Chair for Education,
Dr. Suzanne Z. Powell
Message from Chief Resident- Haneen Salah, MBBS
The Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center stood out while searching for a pathology residency. Its world-renowned reputation for cutting-edge medical research, innovative technologies, and diverse patient population offers invaluable opportunities for clinical training and professional growth. Within our program, there is a truly unique and comprehensive teaching experience in both anatomic and clinical pathology, providing residents with hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to a wide range of pathology subspecialties. Amidst this journey, I cherish the time spent with my co-residents, who make the experience fun and meaningful. Beyond medicine, I love Houston for its vibrant culture, diverse communities, and boundless prospects for personal and professional advancement.
Haneen Salah, MBBS
Chief Resident
Resident Physician, PGY-4
htsalah@houstonmethodist.org
Message from Chief Resident- Shandice Waugh, MD
Navigating the residency interview process can be just as exciting and stimulating as it is anxiety-inducing and taxing. Choosing where to invest the next several years of your life is no small feat! For me, finding a program with a diverse case load and a supportive, tight-knit community was paramount. Houston Methodist has not only met but exceeded my expectations in both regards. The breadth and complexity of cases both here and at the specialized rotations across the Texas Medical Center, coupled with daily didactics and guidance from world-renowned faculty, has been enriching beyond measure. As a Houston native, I anticipated that returning to my city where I could be near my family and lifelong friends would be a priceless experience. However, I could not have even imagined just how much I would enjoy coming to work each day to interact with the amazing residents and fellows that have represented my home away from my literal home/apartment. All-in-all, I'm confident that the skills and connections fostered here will prepare me for any path my career may take in the future.
Shandice Waugh, MD
Chief Resident
Resident Physician, PGY-3
sbwaugh@houstonmethodist.org
Message from Chief Resident- John Rogers, MD
Houston Methodist is a fantastic place to do additional training in both anatomic and clinical pathology fellowships. We have a collaborative group of fellows, and we are exposed to a wide variety of surgical cases, laboratory management opportunities, and research projects. We have amazing faculty who help guide and educate you along the way. During my fellowship in clinical informatics, I was able to help program and evaluate tools in the realms of clinical microbiology, transfusion medicine, anatomic pathology, and hematopathology as well as take part in the transition to digital pathology. I was also able to write a microgrant and my informatics faculty helped sponsor and fine tune my research project. Every day, I love what I do and know I made the right decision in choosing Houston Methodist.
John Rogers, MD
Chief Fellow
Hematopathology and Clinical Informatics Fellow, PGY-6
jtrogers@houstonmethodist.org
Eligibility & Application
Training Environment
How to Apply
For residency applications: Graduates of Texas Medical Board (TMB)-approved medical schools, including international schools, seeking their first postdoctoral appointment are selected through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). All candidates must be eligible for a TMB physician-in-training permit. Applications will be accepted via ERAS through December 31st of the previous academic year, and all necessary documentation must be received by that date.
ERAS link for qualified applicants: www.aamc.org
For fellowship applications: Fellowship candidates may apply directly with the Department. Below are our fellowship applications available for download. For fellowship candidates, you are welcome to use either one of the application forms.
- Application for Non-Match, Transfer Applicant, or Fellowship Applicant (.pdf)
- Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships (.pdf)
Drug and Tobacco Screening
Job seekers will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical.
If a job seeker tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program. Job seekers wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
If the job seeker tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded. Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
Background Check
Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.
Training Environment
Types and Number of Positions
Houston Methodist Hospital, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine offers training for a total of 20 anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP) residency positions annually, which includes an average of 5 PGY1 positions offered each year through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). In addition, we offer training for a total of 22 subspecialty pathology fellowship positions.
Subspecialty program type and number of positions are as follows:
(See Fellowship Programs for descriptions)
- Breast-GYN Pathology (1) – ACGME-accredited
- Clinical Chemistry (1) – accredited through ComACC (The Commission on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry)
- Clinical Informatics (2) – ACGME-accredited
- Cytopathology (2) – ACGME-accredited
- Genitourinary-Medical Kidney (1) – ACGME-accredited
- Hematopathology (4) – ACGME-accredited
- Histocompatibility and Transplant Immunology-(HLA) (1) – (two-year program) – one year accredited through ACGME, and the second year requirement for ASHI (The American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics) laboratory directorship
- Molecular Genetic Pathology (1) – ACGME-accredited
- Neuropathology (2) – ACGME-accredited (two-year program)
- Ophthalmic Pathology (1) – ACGME-accredited
- Surgical Pathology (5) – ACGME-accredited
- Transfusion Medicine/Blood Banking (1) – ACGME-accredited
Facilities
Located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center (TMC), Houston Methodist Hospital is a nationally recognized academic center and is consistently ranked as one of the best hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Houston Methodist, an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, is a 950-bed private adult academic tertiary-care hospital and is the primary training site for the pathology residency and fellowship programs. The following are affiliated hospitals and training sites for pathology programs within and near the TMC: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Memorial Hermann Hospital and Lyndon Baines Johnson General Hospital - adult and pediatric), The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (medical examiner's office), Baylor College of Medicine, Harris County Ben Taub General Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Houston Methodist Hospital experiences a diverse patient caseload and case volume of over 45,000 surgical pathology accessions, over 40,000 cytopathology specimens, 125 autopsies, and over 2,500,000 clinical pathology accessions annually. Residents and fellows have access to state-of-the-art microscopes, an 18-headed teaching microscope with video conferencing setup, digital pathology, online medical records and radiologic studies, an online immuno-query specimen case log system (including PathPrimer and ExpertPath), the Methodist and Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) libraries, and to a collection of subspecialty texts housed in all resident/fellow rooms. Each pathology resident and fellow is provided their own desk, microscope, and computer throughout their training.
Residents and fellows also have access to the research core facilities of the Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI). The HMRI is a state-of-the-art and cutting-edge advanced technology center, with laboratories centered around cancer, cardiovascular disease, nanomedicine, infectious disease, regenerative medicine and others. All residents and fellows are expected to participate in scholarly activities leading to publication (a requirement of at least one publication for most pathology programs). In addition, the pathology department offers twice per year a fully paid research project opportunity as project lead and first author to any resident/fellow who submits the most interesting case. Proposals are submitted to the department Chair and a committee selects two winners per year.
Community
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the country and the largest city in the Southwest, with the largest medical center (TMC) in the world. Major league sports (baseball, basketball, football, soccer), an internationally renowned symphony, opera, ballet, theater, and museums, are all a vital part of the city. Affordable housing is available near the TMC, restaurants featuring multicultural cuisines are plentiful and affordable, and Galveston Island and the Gulf Coast are only 45 minutes away. The city is host to many popular annual festivals, including the International Festival (iFest), the Houston International Jazz Festival, the WorldFest-Houston Film Festival, and the Bayou City Art Festival. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the county. The city is served by two airports: George Bush to the north and William P. Hobby to the south.
Stipends and Maintenance
The Houston Methodist annual salary for a PGY1 resident for 2024-2025 is $67,943. The annual salaries for PGY2 through PGY8 are commensurate with the level of training. Salaries for all levels typically increase annually. Medical, dental, vision, life, and malpractice insurances are provided free of cost to residents and fellows. Fees apply for dependent healthcare coverage.
The Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine provides an annual book fund of $1,000 to all residents/fellows. Membership fees are also paid by the department for selected in-state and national organizations or societies for all residents and fellows. The department provides an annual travel fund to PGY2 residents and above (including fellows) of $1,600/year, and $2,000 to graduates in their final year. Also, the department provides funding for all residents and fellows to attend three in-state meetings, and three local Houston area meetings yearly. For all residents and fellows, the department provides funding for up to two platform and/or poster presentations at state and/or national meetings per year. The department allows absences of up to four days per meeting and financially supports all expenses. In addition to what the department provides for travel allowance, the Houston Methodist GME office provides additional funding to all residents and fellows for educational leave (for presentation meetings only) of up to $2,500 per conference, for a maximum of two conferences annually.
saacostamartinez@houstonmethodist.org
jdbrown@houstonmethodist.org
amelo@houstonmethodist.org
bhamwi@houstonmethodist.org
smortley@houstonmethodist.org
mmaslyanko@houstonmethodist.org
cmoroz@houstonmethodist.org
hofasanya@houstonmethodist.org
rapascual@houstonmethodist.org
dcroselio@houstonmethodist.org
dcroselio@houstonmethodist.org
ncsiriwardane@houstonmethodist.org
dtormankaragiannis@houstonmethodist.org
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Medicine
acalderon2@houstonmethodist.org
Morsani College of Medicine,
University of South Florida
jckinskey@houstonmethodist.org
Universidad del Valle Escuela de Medicina, Colombia
mospina-romero@houstonmethodist.org
Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi, Mexico
mmoctezumadavila@houstonmethodist.org
Our Alumni
Houston Methodist trainees have completed fellowships in hematopathology, blood banking/transfusion medicine, HLA, cytology, surgical pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, genitourinary pathology, neuropathology, molecular genetic pathology, dermatopathology, bone and soft tissue pathology, oncologic surgical pathology, ophthalmic pathology, and pediatric pathology at the following institutions:
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles
- Emory University
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City
- Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City
- Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine
- University of California, San Francisco
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- University of Texas at Houston
- University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- Washington University
Houston Methodist trainees are now practicing in the following locations:
- Emory University
- Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
- Henry Ford Medical Center
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Northshore LIJ/Hofstra Health System
- Northwestern University, Chicago
- Temple University
- Ohio State University
- Tulane University
- Université de Montréal
- University of Arkansas
- University of California, Davis
- University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville
- University of Kentucky
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
- Vanderbilt University
- Austin (private practice)
- Dallas (private practice)
- Houston (private practice)
- Phoenix (private practice)
- San Antonio (private practice)
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