Message from the Chief Residents
Welcome to the USC/Los Angeles General Pathology Residency program website! We thank you for taking an interest in our program.
Our program is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth, collaboration, and innovation. We believe that the path to becoming an exceptional pathologist is paved through exposure to a wide variety of cases, diverse training environments, and graduated responsibility. Graduates of our program have gone on to do incredible things in fellowship and beyond.
We understand the importance of choosing the right residency program to match your career aspirations and personal goals. We are committed to providing an exceptional training experience that will prepare you for a successful and fulfilling career in pathology.
Here are some highlights of our program, which we feel set us apart:
1. Los Angeles General Medical Center: Three-quarters of our rotations are based at LA General, one of the busiest academic public safety net hospitals in one of the most diverse counties in the US. Here we have the privilege of caring for the underserved and learning from a wide range of pathologies.
2. Multiple Practice Settings: We also rotate at Keck Hospital of USC, where we handle complex cancer resection specimens and train with subspecialized surgical pathologists. Our program is associated with the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, where we spend about 2.5 months learning pediatric pathology, apheresis, and cytogenetic/molecular pathology. Last, but not least, we spend a month at the nearby Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner, providing us with top notch training in forensic pathology.
3. Teaching Opportunities: We are closely associated with the Keck School of Medicine of USC and have frequent opportunities to teach medical students rotating in our department and lead pathology team-based learning sessions at the medical school.
4. Work Life Balance: LA General observes twelve paid holidays per year, including nearly one three-day-weekend every other month. 95% of our weekends are our own. When we are working, we work hard, but we also get to balance that with plenty of time with our friends and families, and exploring all the adventure Southern California has to offer.
5. Independence with Oversight: We are granted a lot of independence and responsibility early on in our training, giving us plenty of opportunity to grow as professional pathologists. While we always have attending oversight, it is easy to feel responsibility and duty for patient care as you work up your cases as your own.
6. Resident Voices Matter: Residents have an active voice in shaping their education, and our program leadership listens and responds to our suggestions for improvements. Our program is growing stronger and better every year thanks to the creative and motivated work of our wonderful residents and faculty.
7. Research & Mentorship: Our world-class faculty are leaders in their respective fields and offer mentorship and guidance to our residents as we navigate residency training. Many faculty are actively involved in research and book writing and provide ample opportunities for residents to participate. Our residents and faculty attend and present at a variety of conferences throughout the year including USCAP, CAP, ASCP, and LASOP among others.
8. Fellowship Placement: Many of our graduates pursue their fellowship training with us, or our affiliate programs, in surgical pathology, cytopathology, hematopathology, neuropathology, pediatric pathology (CHLA), and forensics (LACDME). Our graduates have also gone on to pursue fellowships at institutions like Mass General Brigham, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, the NIH, and Stanford. Our alumni are working in academic and private practices throughout Southern California and the United States.
9. Our Residents, Fellows & Faculty: We may be biased, but we think we get to work with some of the coolest, nicest, smartest, and best people around. The friendly and team-oriented atmosphere here is something we cherish about our program. You will form career-long (and lifelong) relationships during residency.
Once again, thank you for considering the USC/Los Angeles General Pathology Residency Program. We are excited about the prospect of welcoming a new class of talented residents to join our residency family.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Alicia Cuber, D.O. & Masis Parunyan, M.D.
Co-Chief Residents, Pathology Residency Program
Note: This website is for the sole purpose of providing residency specific information.
For information about the department, please visit the department website: https://keck.usc.edu/pathology/
For information about the sub-specialty fellowship programs, please see: https://keck.usc.edu/pathology/training-education/fellowship-programs/