Skip to main content Skip to main menu
UF Health University of Florida
Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine College of Medicine
Contact US
Education Overview

Hematopathology Fellowship

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited University of Florida Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine Hematopathology Fellowship is a comprehensive one-year program in hematopathology that begins annually on July 1.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Our ACGME-accredited training program emphasizes patient-centered, interdisciplinary diagnostic care that amounts to a philosophy more than a curriculum.

VISION STATEMENT:

We envision that our graduates will have a positive impact on diagnostic patient care and advance the field of hematopathology.

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT:

Our understanding of hematopoietic disease is constantly being challenged, split and reinvented, yet these diseases have not, themselves, ever changed. How can we teach an ever-changing subject? The ancient Greeks divided teaching into three parts grammar, logic and rhetoric. Grammar being the knowledge of a language. Logic being the mechanics of analysis. Rhetoric being the application of language to explain your logic to a listener. Our program aims to teach fellows the language of the immune system, the mechanics of understanding its derangements and the application of conveying your interpretation to clinical colleagues.

Program Aims

  1. OVERALL PROGRAM GOAL: The goal of this 1-year experience is to prepare the fellow to independently function as a primary diagnostician and consultant in all areas of hematopathology and clinical laboratory hematology.
  2. Training in all aspects of modern Hematopathology with emphasis on neoplastic hematologic disorders and flow cytometry. This training will include patient care, research and education.
  3. Proficiency in the use of all diagnostic technologies (histomorphology, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics and molecular pathology) for the evaluation and diagnosis of hematological diseases. Total integration of these diagnostic modalities with an emphasis on clinical correlations is a primary aim of the program.
  4. Competence in basic science, cognitive and technical skills needed to practice hematopathology in either an academic or private setting. Emphasis is placed on the development of clinical knowledge and maturity during the fellowship training as this will enable the fellow to employ skillful judgment in the assessment of disease.
  5. Familiarity with clinical research. All fellows are required to participate in at least one research project, and have the experience of presenting his/her research work in local or national meetings.

Overall Program Objectives  [CPR IV.B.] Many individual and specific objectives are delineated within the individual rotations. The overall objectives of the program are listed below and are linked to ACGME core competencies:

  1. Provide competent diagnostic interpretation of all hematopathology material. [PC]
  2. Develop an analytical approach to diagnoses. [PC]
  3. Recognize own limitations. [PBL]
  4. Serve as a consultant to health care providers.  [SBP]
  5. Demonstrate effective teaching of medical students, residents, pathologists, and clinicians. [ICS]
  6. Demonstrate effective management of the clinical laboratory. [SBP]
  7. Assume professional servant-leader responsibility for patient care in preparation to function as a laboratory medical director. [P]
  8. Participate in lifelong learning. [MK]

Rotations

  1. Diagnostic Hematopathology Core Rotation (Nine 4-week blocks plus One 3-week block)
  2. Hematology/ Coagulation Laboratory (One 4-week block)
  3. Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics Rotation (One 4-week block)
  4. Elective Rotation (One 4-week block)
  5. Bone Marrow Biopsy Experience (One 1-week block)
  6. Longitudinal Patient Safety Curriculum

Director: Robert Seifert M.D.

Program Faculty:

Our Strengths

  • All diagnostic technologies are available to the fellow and reside in a single centralized location. Integration of these diagnostic modalities, with an emphasis on clinical correlations and hands-on flow cytometry analysis, is the primary aim of the program.
  • Once eligible for indirect supervision, fellows take call twice monthly, acting as faculty in the initial evaluation of critical cases.
  • Active pediatric and adult hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation services at UF Health Shands Hospital and other UF-affiliated institutions provide a large, varied selection of clinical materials. Additionally, our laboratory, UF Health Pathology Laboratories, is one of the top referral centers for hematological neoplasias in the Southeast United States, serving the consultation needs of numerous hospitals and clinics.
  • The Hematopathology Fellowship includes rotations through general hematology and coagulation laboratories. Fellows are expected to participate in investigative activities, which are supported by the Department’s large tumor repository and well-equipped clinical and research laboratories.
  • Clinical Features of our Program
    • Bone Marrow Cases: 1000/year
    • Lymph node or tissue biopsies: 800/year
    • Blood submitted for flow cytometry: 500/year
    • Body Fluid submitted for morphological examination and flow cytometry: 400/year
    • Consultation cases (lymph node, non-lymph node biopsies and bone marrow specimens): 700/year
  • Educational activities:
    • Daily QA Conference
    • Monthly Journal Club
    • Monthly “Don’t Fear the Smear” Blood Smear Review
    • Pediatric Hematology Oncology Tumor Board:
    • Bone Marrow Transplant Multidisciplinary Conference
    • Fellow In Service Exam
    • Lab Inspections
    • Department Grand Rounds

FOR APPLICANTS:

ACGME Accredited Positions: 2 per year.

Our program will be using the NRMP Match for positions with a start date of 7/1/2026.

IMPORTANT DATES for the 2026-2027 positions:

  • Submit application before January 1st 2025.
  • Interviews begin January 2025.
  • Make an account on NRMP’s website and register for the Fellowship Match starting on February 5th 2025.
  • Enter your rank list starting on March 12th, 2025 (noon, ET).
  • Certify your rank list by April 16th, 2025 (9pm, ET).
  • Match day is April 30th, 2025 (noon, ET).

For more information on the Hematopathology NRMP Match see: Society for Hematopathology (society-for-hematopathology.org) including the Resident FAQ https://www.society-for-hematopathology.org/web/downloads/SH%20NRMP%20Match%20FAQ%20for%20Residents%20v5.pdf.

HOW TO APPLY:

Unlike in residency, the NRMP Hemepath Fellowship match does not use ERAS.

Submit the following (email preferred) to the Program Director and Program Coordinator, listed below once completed.

  1. CAP National Standard Application
  2. Personal statement of interest;
  3. Curriculum vitae; and
  4. Three letters of recommendation (addressed to the program director) including one from your residency program director.

Program Director:

Robert Seifert M.D.
Hematopathology Fellowship Program Director
University of Florida College of Medicine
Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine
P.O. Box 100275
Gainesville, FL 32610

Program Coordinator: Julia Pittman

  • Phone: 352.627.2042
  • Fax: 352.265.9901

Applicant Requirements:

  • Fellowship candidates must be certification-eligible or certified in anatomic, clinical, or anatomic and clinical pathology, by the American Board of Pathology. Applicants are required to have passed the first three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
  • Applicants must have completed all required clinical education in an ACGME-accredited, AOA-approved or ACGME-I accredited residency program prior to start date. Applicants must be board certified or board eligible in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology or anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology. [CPR III.A.]
  • Applicants must be in good standing in their residency training program and/or most recent fellowship training program.
  • Applicants must have passed all parts of the USMLE.
  • Applicants must have a Florida training or unrestricted (preferred) medical license by matriculation.

Benefits

Commensurate with level of training. Visit the UF Administrative Affairs Housestaff Benefits Web page for more information.

Fellows are not required to sign a non-compete contract/clause.

Moonlighting is not permitted.

Meet the Fellows