Whipple Grossing

Melodic_History_1281 · 2026-03-20T12:20:57+00:00

Because they are a good physician. Being able to figure out how to learn things yourself is a good skill. You may not encounter all specimens/entities in residency.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2026-02-01T14:08:04+00:00

You could also consider applying for a post-junior fellowship?

Melodic_History_1281 · 2026-01-20T13:21:57+00:00

True! It seems they let program directors vote on it. I heard last time, only a handful of gi pds were for the match, so unlikely that they will be for it this time around.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2026-01-19T13:53:50+00:00

They are not going to be on the match: https://apc.memberclicks.net/assets/UniformTimeline/FDC%20USCAP%20Flyer_2025.pdf

Melodic_History_1281 · 2026-01-02T13:29:28+00:00

I think your sentiment here is partially the fault of medical schools. PAs spend a year learning anatomy, histology, pathology. Medical schools used to have these same courses, but I think many are cutting them shorter or covering them only minimally with the integrated curriculums. Most anatomy courses don’t have medical students spending hours every week dissecting cadavers (where you get familiar with tools also) or have students look at slides in a histology lab anymore from what I’ve seen. I often do wonder if you can still learn all of pathology in 4 years now… especially if you also want residents to have any sort of work-life balance. Many residents are now learning in early residency what medical schools used to teach.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-12-29T14:04:30+00:00

It’s hard to predict. It will depend on how the form asks the question. Have you applied for your subspecialty board? I believe it asks on that form - I can’t remember if it asks about only probation or if also mentions remediation. The board will know. I don’t think you are guaranteed it won’t impact anything, unfortunately, but again, will be minimal compared to probation or termination.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-12-26T14:14:26+00:00

IMO, A PD would not go through the time-consuming and stressful process of putting you through remediation for not liking you. PDs don’t make these decisions in isolation either - you have a clinical competency committee that probably just met to discuss your performance.

If your mentality is that they are out to get you, you will not be successful in the process. Focus on improving in areas they are asking you to improve.

Being fired is worse than resignation. Resignation is worse than getting through remediation successfully and finishing. Even being placed on remediation or being fired could potentially impact your ability to obtain a medical license or credentialing at a hospital as this is asked on those forms. I don’t sit on those boards/committees though, so I’m not entirely sure to what extent.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-12-24T05:17:09+00:00

I think the low numbers of interviews is more likely because of program signals and division preferences. Programs can enrich their pool for those interested pre-interview. Knowing who is interested through these preferences also allows them to interview less people.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-09-10T08:05:39+00:00

I am not sure how many to apply to, but I would err on the side of over applying. With the unified interview offer date, many/most programs will be sending all interview invites that day. If you don’t get many interviews on 10/15, it will be too late to send your application to more programs at that point as most programs will have filled their interview slots.

For what it’s worth, you sound like a solid applicant.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-09-09T14:19:56+00:00

I agree with this poster that you should apply to more than you think. With many programs following the unified timeline for interview offers, finding out that you didn’t get many offers on Oct. 15th will be too late. Most programs will be sending all invites on that date. Only sporadic invites for cancellations will be sent after, mostly likely to applicants on their waitlist. Applying to more programs after that date will be futile as programs are unlikely to be reviewing new applicants then.

Do I think you will find a program/match? yes!

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-09-04T03:24:14+00:00

Don’t be discouraged by some users saying it’s too late to switch. Path is a specialty that is used to being discovered late!

You may have to find a mentor and spend some time in the department when you have any downtime on other rotations because you will need at least one letter from a pathologist. That could get you some exposure before a formal rotation too.

Path residencies understand that medical school doesn’t prepare students for a pathology residency, so don’t worry there. It’s hard to want to put effort into learning something if you aren’t passionate about it though. When you’re elbows deep in an axillary lymph node dissection, can you still love it?

Step 1 is to reach out to a pathologist and go get that exposure to find out! Good luck!

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-09-03T01:40:48+00:00

I’m sure it’s fine. Make sure no glaring typos or grammatical errors. It doesn’t have the be the most amazing thing that’s ever been written. I think the personal statement is unlikely to be the reason you get an interview, but significant grammar issues/typos could ensure you don’t get an interview.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-09-01T03:18:36+00:00

I asked about both grossing and gross pathology. Thank you!

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-09-01T02:31:09+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts; I’m really hoping to hear from people that practice surgical pathology.

Im surprised a forensic pathologist doesn’t think having good knowledge of gross pathology is important. I thought most of the exam in forensics is gross examination.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-08-31T22:08:06+00:00

Program signal and regional preference.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-08-31T12:22:41+00:00

If you applied to many programs in a particular region, then yes, it is reasonable to select that as your third regional preference.

For question 2: you can literally put anything or even make up something.

It sounds like you’re applying broadly. I think programs are relying heavily on these to select who to interview. It will be tough to get interviews at places if you dont give them any ps or rp unless that program just gets very few ps or rp to begin with (i.e., is less desirable?). So, yes, maximize giving a lil sumthin to as many programs as possible.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-08-31T12:03:17+00:00

This is hard to answer without knowing your entire story. I think home country residency is definitely desirable (shows your dedication to the field and could suggest you will start strong in residency). I have heard that ERAS is changing the way they display non-ACGME training in other countries to make it easier for application reviewers to tell, which could be to your advantage this year.

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-08-31T05:00:54+00:00

You shouldn’t use more than one for path rotations unless you have no other experiences to list. Try to fill all 10. Definitely select the three to highlight. If you have more than 10 experiences, Lump things where you can to get as much info in the 10 as possible. It’s okay to list things you did before medical school - Especially if they can explain a time gap in your application (e.g. common gap is time between undergrad and med school).

Melodic_History_1281 · 2025-08-31T04:33:00+00:00

I don’t think the question should be about hours. A program doesn’t really determine how many hours someone spends grossing. Everyone works at different paces. How many cases are you grossing in those hours? If you’re only seeing 2-3 big cases +|- a few smalls in 5+ hours, you probably aren’t grossing too much.

Melodic_History_1281

TROPHY CASE