University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Pathobiological Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin -Madison
2015 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706, USA
Program Coordinators and Emails:
Dr. Kimberley Sebastian [email protected] – Anatomic Pathology Residency Coordinator
Dr. Kristen Friedrichs [email protected] – Clinical Pathology Residency Coordinator – Resident Applications Coordinator
Dr. Nina Zitzer [email protected] – Clinical Pathology Residency Coordinator – Resident Training Coordinator
Resident Representatives and Emails:
Anatomic Pathology
Clinical Pathology
Dr. Jeremy Bessett
Dr. Colette Angel
UW Veterinary Care Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Program link:
https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/360-support/our-team/residentsinterns/
Prerequisites Beyond DVM:
Anatomic Pathology: None required; eligibility for Wisconsin licensure
Clinical Pathology: One-year internship or clinical experience highly recommended; eligibility for Wisconsin licensure
| Program Information: | |||
| Program | CP | AP | Combined MS/PhD |
| Program Options | Next available position – Summer 2026 start | Next available position – Summer 2026 start | Separate from residencyc |
| Full Time Residents | 2 residents/3 yrs. | 3-4 | fellows |
| Typical # of years for completion | 3 | 3 | 4-5 |
| Money to go to one (1) meeting/year | Yesa | Yesa competitive | yes |
| Money for books and supplies | See belowb | yes | yes |
| Independent research/ publication required for program completion? | No, but strongly advised, esp. residents without prior research training | yes, at least 1 publication and project | yes |
Comments:
aResident discretionary funds are provided annually by the PBS Department and can partially fund meeting attendance.
bClinical pathology residents have limited, paid on-call for performance of routine out-of-hours laboratory testing for which they receive pay that goes into an individual education fund that they can use for meetings and other education travel. There may be opportunities to participate in practitioner CE for which they receive financial reimbursement that is deposited into the same fund.
cPost-graduate research training is readily available at UW-Madison, but not in a combined program.
| Case Load | ||||
| Small Animals: | Large Animals: | Exotic/Zoo Animals: | Lab Animals: | |
| Anatomic Pathology: | ~500/yr | ~200/yr | ~200/yr | variable |
| Clinical Pathology: | 70% | 25% | 4% | 1% |
Comments:
The hospital has recently expanded its Wildlife, Zoo, and Exotic Pet service and staffing to include several smaller zoo and wildlife units in the State of WI. The anatomic pathology service performs necropsies for the Milwaukee County Zoo and Henry Villas Zoo. Additional sources of caseload include the International Crane Foundation and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Anatomic pathology residents also spend 4 weeks/year of their residency at the Comparative Pathology Laboratory (RARC), where they gain exposure to laboratory/research animal pathology.
| Required Coursework for Specific Programs: | |||
| MS | PhD | AP | CP |
| 9 course credits | 15 course credits in major (optional: 10 course credits in minorinterdisciplinary program) | None required, but opportunities to audit courses | None required; possible to take/audit courses; advised to complete 1-2 on-line QC course through Westgard.com |
Comments:
Training required for all trainees:
Anatomic Pathology: Attendance of a variety of weekly rounds, such as biopsy rounds (including joint rounds with -oncology), Gross seminar, ocular pathology rounds, clinical pathology rounds, Wednesday JPC (histopathology) rounds, Tues/Thur Gross Case Rounds, departmental seminar, neuropathology rounds, Tuesday Didactic Histopathology course, joint rounds with Special Species rounds. Monthly Pathologists Night Out (PNO) rounds (joint seminars with human and veterinary pathologists from the greater Madison area) is highly encouraged. Residents also assist with VM2 systemic pathology laboratories and participate in the VM4 necropsy core rotation. Additional teaching and mentoring opportunities are available for interested residents.
Clinical Pathology: Attendance of weekly clinical pathology rounds, weekly biopsy rounds, weekly clinical pathology seminar, monthly joint rounds with SAIM, and departmental seminars. Additional attendance at select anatomic pathology rounds, exotic cytology rounds, ACVIM rounds, necropsy rounds, and monthly Pathologist Night Out (see above) are advised based on topic, interest, and competing resident responsibilities. Residents are required to attend the full VM2 clinical pathology course in their first year and assist in all accompanying laboratories. In their second and third year, residents prepare and deliver one of the VM2 clinical pathology lectures. Residents also participate in the twice a year VM4 clinical pathology elective. Additional teaching and mentoring opportunities are available for interested residents.
| Percentage of Time Spent in Activities – Clinical Pathology: | |||||
| Service | Teaching | Seminar/Courses | Research | Other | |
| Year 1 | 60% | 15% 2nd & 4th yr DVM students | 10% | 5% | 10% |
| Year 2 | 40% may include mentoring residents & DVM students on | 15% 2nd & 4th yr DVM students | 10% | 20% | 5% |
| rotations in clin path lab | |||||
| Year 3 | 30% includes mentoring residents & DVM students on | 15% 2nd & 4th yr DVM students | 10% | 20% | 15% |
| rotations in clin path lab | |||||
| Year 4 | |||||
| Percentage of Time Spent in Activities – Anatomic Pathology: | |||||
| Service | Teaching | Seminar/Courses | Research | Other | |
| Year 1 | 65% | 13% | 20% | 2% | |
| Year 2 | 65% | 13% | 20% | 2% | |
| Year 3 | 75% | 25% | 20% | 2% | 100% due to overlap |
| Year 4 | Separate position available | 2% | |||
Comments:
* Year 3 total may be greater than 100%, with opportunity for progression to Clinical Instructor, which has greater service responsibilities and also teaches 1st & second year residents