The Association of Pathology Chairs (APC) strongly endorses the national movement to a uniform timeline for fellowship recruitment as described in the recent article by Herrmann et al in Academic Pathology. In a recent announcement by APC President, Lydia Pleotis Howell, MD, several key points were made on the importance and responsibility of APC membership in supporting a uniform recruitment process to protect pathology residents. All questions and concerns regarding the uniform timeline can be emailed to: [email protected].
The APC Council endorses the plans of the APC GME Committee to establish:
a free, public registry of open fellowship positions (within 24 months of matriculation), with program contact information, to be promoted by APC and maintained by APC or ICPI;
a list on the APC website of all fellowship programs and their parent departments that have pledged to adhere to the timeline and guidelines;
a confidential review process for reporting violations by fellowship programs that pledged to adhere to the timeline and guidelines; verified violations will be reported to the Chair of the Department housing the fellowship, and
responses and possible penalties, commensurate with levels of infraction, for fellowship programs found to be in violation that pledged to adhere to the timeline and guidelines.
These guidelines will take effect in a phased manner beginning in July 2023. Note that the APC reserves the right to provide consequences to a department who reneges on its stated commitment. However, we recognize that such circumstances must be explored carefully and confidentially on a case-by-case basis consistent with the principles and requirements associated with academic freedom.
We have compiled a list of resources below to assist with the fellowship application process.
Herrmann AC, Hanau C, Karcher D, Miller DC, Murtha A, Sanders AE, Timmons C, Kaul KL. The pathology fellowship application crisis: the current state and suggestions for remediation. Acad Pathol 2022;9. doi:10.1016/j.acpath.2022.100029
Miller DC, Karcher DS, Kaul K. The crisis in the pathology subspecialty fellowship application process: historical perspective and setting the stage. Acad Pathol 2022;9. doi:10.1016/j.acpath.2022.100030
FDAHC Representative: Julie Karp, MD Subspecialty Society: Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies Society Website: https://www.aabb.org/
The Society of ’67 was established to support programs aligned with APC's mission and vision. Those who wish to support APC's mission and vision can donate to the Society of ’67.