A two-year fellowship in neuropathology (one position every other year) is offered by the Division of Neuropathology. Based in a 734-bed tertiary care university hospital, the program provides advanced training and responsibility in all areas of neuropathology including diagnostic surgical neuropathology, neuromuscular, ophthalmic, and autopsy pathology.

The laboratory examines approximately 900 neurosurgical specimens with 200 intraoperative consultations per year. The University of Iowa is a national referral center for neuromuscular disease providing an advanced educational experience with examination of approximately 300 muscle and 30 nerve biopsies per year. The University of Iowa has an NIH-funded Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center (MDSRC; https://medicine.uiowa.edu/mdsrc/ ) that studies a form of muscular dystrophy termed dystroglycanopathy.  Dr. Steven Moore is Co-Director of the MDSRC.

Approximately 250 autopsy brains are examined per year, including approximately 100 forensic cases. The neuropathology division participates in several active brain banking efforts, including the Iowa Neuropathology Resource Laboratory, which is staffed by a full-time PhD-trained research neuropathologist and for which Dr. Marco Hefti acts as medical director. Fellows will be involved in neurodegenerative disease workups for the brain bank as part of brain cutting and have the option of dedicated brain bank and/or research rotations, if desired.

In addition, the Division of Neuropathology provides outreach services through the University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratory (https://medicine.uiowa.edu/uidl/faculty-services/neuropathology), through which a variety of neurosurgical, neuromuscular, and autopsy brain specimens are received. This provides an opportunity to interact with pathologists and clinicians at multiple outside institutions and community practices.

Fellows will participate in a variety of teaching and educational activities including a weekly neuro-oncology tumor board, quality assurance conferences, and a neuromuscular multidisciplinary conference. Fellows are expected to be involved with house staff didactics and provide a seminar for Pathology Grand rounds annually. Additionally, there are opportunities to be involved with medical student teaching. Opportunities for participation in both basic science and clinical/translational research are available and encouraged.

Accreditation

The Neuropathology fellowship is ACGME-accredited, program #3151830001.

There are two program tracks available:

• Neuropathology Fellowship
• Combined Anatomic Pathology Residency and Neuropathology Fellowship

If you are interested in applying to the Neuropathology Fellowship Program, please send or email to Dr. Steven Moore a cover letter, CAP Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application, current curriculum vitae, personal statement, medical school Dean’s letter, three letters of recommendation that include one from the pathology residency director and two additional faculty, USMLE scores (steps 1, 2, and 3), copy of ECFMG certificate (applies to international medical graduates only), copy of Permanent Visa (if applicable), and copy of medical school diploma.

If you are interested in applying to the combined Anatomic Pathology Residency and Neuropathology Fellowship (AP/NP), please select the Anatomic Pathology / Clinical Pathology option in Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and indicate your interest in the combined AP/NP track.

Priority Deadline

Applications generally accepted up to 6 months prior to the start of the fellowship year or until positions are filled.

Eligibility for Fellowship

Applications will be accepted from residents who have had two to four years of straight anatomic pathology training and from residents who have three to four years of combined anatomic and clinical pathology training. Board eligible applicants are preferred.

Our people are the heart of our program. From the reception desk to the laboratory technicians, from the gross room to the molecular laboratory, from the blood bank to the FNA clinic, from the resident room to the faculty offices, you will find our people in our department interested and eager to help you become the best pathologist you can be.

At Iowa, you will be exposed to some of the best clinicians, teachers and researchers in our profession. We provide high-powered opportunities for you to learn career-long lessons from these dedicated professionals while maintaining an open-door philosophy and collegial atmosphere.

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