ACVP Training Program Overview
| Name of Institution: | Louisiana State University |
| Address: | Departments of Pathobiological Sciences (AP) and Veterinary Clinical Sciences (CP) School of Veterinary Medicine Skip Bertman Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70803 |
Program Coordinators and Emails:
Anatomic: Dr. Fabio Del Piero, [email protected]
Clinical: Dr. Shannon Dehghanpir, [email protected]
Resident Representatives and Emails:
Anatomic: Dr. Jeongha Lee, [email protected] and Dr. Lauren Guarneri, [email protected]
Clinical: Katie Metcalf, [email protected]
Prerequisites Beyond DVM:
None
Clinical and Anatomic Pathology Residency Programs at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (video)
| Program Information: | |||
| Program | CP | AP | Combined MS/PhD |
| Program Options | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full Time Residents | 2 | 5 | 2 (CP&MS) 2 (AP&PhD) |
| Typical # of years for completion | 3 | 3 | 3 (MS) 5-6 (PhD) |
| Money to go to one (1) meeting/year | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Money for books and supplies | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Independent research/publication required for program completion? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Comments:
Combined/Post-residency MS/PhD opportunities available: Residents are strongly encouraged to enter the PhD program on completion of the residency training. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine has a strong research program in infectious disease and cancer biology. Additional research opportunities are available through the Pennington Biomedical Research Center as well as through the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC). LSU holds a joint NIH training grant with the TNPRC that provides a unique opportunity for students interested in developing expertise working with non-human primates. Residents who pursue their PhD at the TNPRC are offered competitive salaries during training.
| Case Load: | ||||
| Small Animals | Large Animals | Exotic/Zoo Animals | Lab Animals | |
| Anatomic Pathology | 45% | 35% | 25% | Minimal (1-2%) |
| Clinical Pathology | 80% | 15% | 5% | Minimal (1-2%) |
Comments:
For the anatomic pathology caseload, the large animal component is slightly weighted towards equine and the exotic component is slightly weighted toward avian species. For cytology and hematology specimens, the large animal caseload is heavily weighted towards equine samples, while the small animal caseload is moderately weighted towards canine samples. The exotic animal caseload is highly variable, with representation of many different species.
| Required Coursework for Specific Programs: | |
| MS | Introduction to Research Immunology Molecular Regulation of Cell Function Concepts of Epidemiology Host Response to Infectious Agents Current Literature |
| PhD | Introduction to Research Immunology Molecular Regulation of Cell Function Concepts of Epidemiology Host Response to Infectious Agents Current Literature PBS Seminar Series |
| AP | Advanced Cell Pathology Advanced Systemic Pathology Histopathology Slide Conference Gross Pathology Conference Pathology Journal Club Immunology of Infectious and Parasitic Disease |
| CP | Advanced Cell Pathology Advanced Systemic Pathology Histopathology Slide Conference Pathology Journal Club Immunology of Infectious and Parasitic Disease |
Comments:
Various graduate-level courses are offered through other departments on campus, should they be necessary to further the student’s individual career goals. They are available with approval of the student’s graduate committee.
| Percentage of Time Spent in Activities – Clinical Pathology: | |||||
| Service | Teaching | Seminar/Courses | Research | Other | |
| Year 1 | 50 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 20 (self-guided study, research, rounds preparation time) |
| Year 2 | 50 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 20 (self-guided study, research, rounds, preparation time) |
| Year 3 | 40 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 40 (boards preparation, research) |
| Year 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 (combined PhD) | 90 (combined PhD) | |
Comments:
The clinical pathology training program provides generous structured and unstructured time throughout for the board exam preparation, research projects, and general studies, tailored to best suit each individual. During their second year, residents are given 3 weeks to study full time for the Phase I of the ACVP exam in March. At the end of the residency, they are therefore given 2.5 months to study full time, with pay, for the Phase II of the ACVP board exam in August.
Specialty Round Opportunities: Bone Marrow, Chemistry, Cytology, Dermatopathology, Oncopathology, Ocular Pathology, Histopathology; Journal Club.
| Percentage of Time Spent in Activities – Anatomic Pathology: | |||||
| Service | Teaching | Seminar/Courses | Research | Other | |
| Year 1 | 60 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 10 (self-guided study, research, rounds preparation time) |
| Year 2 | 60 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 15 (self-guided study, research, rounds preparation time) |
| Year 3 | 50 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 30 (boards preparation, research) |
| Year 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 (combined PhD) | 90 (combined PhD) | |
Comments:
The anatomic pathology program allows students to concentrate on residency training for the first 3 years, with the final year of the residency heavily weighted towards board exam preparation. During their second year, residents are given 3 weeks to study full time for the Phase I of the ACVP exam in March. Residents are encouraged to take the Phase II of the ACVP exam at the end of their 3rd year of the residency, before starting their PhD program. At the end of the residency, they are therefore given 2.5 months to study full time, with pay, for the Phase II of the ACVP board exam in August.
Specialty Round Opportunities: Bone Marrow, Chemistry, Cytology, Dermatopathology, Ocular Pathology, Oncopathology, Gross Pathology, Histopathology, Lab Animal Pathology; Journal Club.