Chief Welcome
Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Pathology residency program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My name is Anna Dar, and I'm a PGY-4 AP/CP resident and the current chief resident.
At Vanderbilt, we offer an integrated AP/CP curriculum with reserved time for elective rotations over the course of training, allowing residents to explore their academic and professional interests. Our team of 25 residents encompasses a diverse, enthusiastic group of individuals who maintain a supportive work environment. We enjoy regular resident gatherings, including the welcome party, annual retreat, farewell party, and end-of-rotation celebrations.
Education is a strong focus of our program. We have regular didactic sessions covering topics in pathology and lab management, led by a variety of content experts. We also hold Unknowns conferences led by faculty and senior trainees that allow residents to practice describing histology, generating a differential diagnosis, and applying ancillary testing with case examples. Additional sessions are hosted covering broader topics including diversity and inclusion, leadership, and advocacy. Residents have abundant opportunities to grow as educators as well. Residents may lead "organ recitals" for the medical school, give lectures for undergraduate and graduate programs, and host rotating and shadowing medical students.
Additionally, our Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology has numerous faculty members who are dedicated to mentoring interested residents in research opportunities across a broad range of topics.
This past spring, our clinical laboratories successfully underwent a transformation process that will allow expansion of both our testing capacity and opportunities in education and research. We look forward to engaging in more collaborative learning at Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories.
I chose Vanderbilt for its robust training in both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology from highly qualified yet down-to-earth experts. I appreciate seeing trainees, attendings, and technologists taking an interdisciplinary approach to patient care. This combination of expertise and collegiality makes Vanderbilt an ideal setting for pathologists in training.
I would love to answer any questions you have about our residency program. Please email pathres.prog@vumc.org and indicate that you are interested in being connected with the chief resident.
We wish you the best of luck with this next chapter of your career.
Kind Regards,
Anna Dar, DO
Clinical Fellowship Programs
You can view the Twelve different Fellowship Programs and application requirements for each, here.
Residency Program
Find out about Vanderbilt University Pathology Residency Training Program here.
About Nashville
Located a little more than a mile from downtown, the university’s students, faculty, staff and visitors frequently cite Nashville as one of the perks of Vanderbilt. Learn more here.