This program is traditionally open only to OHSU Medical Students. Medical students from other programs may contact the program coordinator to be placed on the wait list to be notified when open positions occur.

The program is currently filled through academic year 2022-2023. The next open positions begin at the end of March, 2023. We fill three positions annually.

Yes. There is a salary stipend during the student fellowship year as well as a $700 educational allowance.

Students are eligible for loan deferment from most loan vendors during program participation. Some students also consider the benefits of making minimum monthly payments. Students should work with the OHSU Financial Aid office to assess the best options for each individual situation.

Any of the Department of Pathology electives or resident rotations are available as electives. These include Neuropathology, Cytology, Renal Pathology, Hematopathology, Cytogenetics, Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine. On occasion, student fellows have designed their own electives, including Pathology experiences off-hill, electives in other Departments, and research electives. Students do not receive credit toward their M.D. degree for participation in this program but may be able to apply or adapt projects toward curricular elements.

Yes. Student fellows have been involved in a variety of research projects, mostly in the Department of Pathology. Opportunities to write up interesting autopsy or surgical pathology cases may also arise.

The workload and schedule varies by rotation. Surgical Pathology at OHSU is the busiest rotation and generally has the longest hours.  A typical day may start at 7:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. Rotations on the Autopsy service and at the VA typically have shorter hours.  Student fellows do not have call responsibilities.

Student fellows are eligible for the OHSU research and unclassified administrative benefits package, which includes ample paid time off, medical and dental insurance, and a variety of other great benefits. All student fellows receive a laptop to use during the fellowship, and a $700 allowance is provided for eligible educational expenses. Additional financial support for travel expenses may be provided for student fellows who present research at national conferences.

The program runs from spring quarter through the beginning of spring break the following year.

Because the individual gains extensive experience in recognizing and understanding disease processes in all systems and the role of diagnostic pathology in clinical medicine, the program is valuable for those entering virtually any clinical specialty.