Pathology Residency

Pathology Residency Training

At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), we offer a dynamic and supportive environment for pathology residents, tailored to prepare you for leadership roles in both clinical and academic settings. With access to world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and the extensive resources of Harvard Medical School, our program ensures top-tier training. We emphasize experiential learning, innovative educational initiatives and a strong support network to guide your professional growth.

We’re growing! The Pathology department is proud to join a landmark collaboration with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians (HMFP) to establish New England’s only freestanding adult inpatient cancer hospital. This partnership offers pathologists unparalleled opportunities to work alongside DFCI’s internationally recognized experts, expand subspecialty expertise, and deliver transformational medicine in an exciting, supportive environment.

Pathology Resident Pathways

The Department of Pathology at BIDMC, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, is committed to providing state-of-the-art training to prepare physicians for leadership roles in pathology and academic medicine. We offer three resident training pathways:

  • Our combined anatomic pathology/clinical pathology (AP/CP) pathway provides comprehensive training in all areas of tissue diagnostics and laboratory medicine
  • Our AP-only pathway prepares residents for careers as academic surgical pathologists
  • Our AP/Neuropathology (AP/NP) track combines two years of general AP training with 2 years of neuropathology fellowship

All pathways include extensive opportunities to participate in research projects with world-renowned experts in pathology or related disciplines.

Resident Teaching & Education Initiatives

At BIDMC, we emphasize experiential learning and faculty interaction in pathology training. In anatomic pathology, residents independently prepare diagnoses before discussing them with staff, while in clinical pathology, they gain hands-on experience through daily rounds and tutorials. Our program prioritizes education, with support from the Shapiro Center for Medical Education, and includes a robust “resident-as-teacher” curriculum, structured ACGME milestone implementation and innovative technology integration. Notably, our pioneering genomic pathology curriculum and evidence-based medicine training have set national standards, with published research on these educational approaches.

A Network of Support

Our residency program benefits from the exceptional academic resources of our department, BIDMC, and the broader Harvard Medical School community. With world-renowned clinical faculty and robust research in clinical, translational, and basic sciences, residents have access to vast opportunities for academic growth. BIDMC's status as a leading NIH-funded institution and its proximity to Harvard's Longwood Campus foster an unparalleled collaborative environment. The high volume of diverse clinical material, including over 55,000 surgical specimens and 6 million lab tests annually, ensures comprehensive training. Residents are encouraged to engage in research, with many presenting at major pathology meetings and publishing in leading journals.

BIDMC Residency Salary & Benefits

Please refer to this page for details on current trainee salary, benefits, and other resources available to you as a trainee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Applying for the Pathology Residency

All US and foreign medical school graduates must apply to our residency program through ERAS by December 1 of the year prior to the desired start date. For example, apply by December 1, 2025 to start your residency on July 1, 2026. Foreign graduates must be ECFMG certified by this deadline. Applications are reviewed individually by the Resident Selection Committee, considering academic records, recommendations, personal statements, and test scores. Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview via email.

For any questions regarding the application process, contact program coordinator Debbie Ribaya by email. Learn more about the application process.

Residency Training Leadership

Our faculty are dedicated to providing comprehensive training, fostering academic excellence, and supporting the professional growth of our residents. Our program directors and mentors create an enriching environment that prepares residents to become future leaders in pathology and academic medicine.

Cynthia Hayne, MD, PhD, Residency Program Director (AP); Instructor in Pathology, Harvard Medical School

Bentley Rodrigue, MD, Associate Residency Program Director (CP); Instructor in Pathology, Harvard Medical School

Residency Training Support

Debbie Ribaya, Residency and Fellowship Training Programs Coordinator, Pathology Department, BIDMC

Arlene Lemmo, Pathology Education Administrator