The Department of Pathology at Duke University Medical Center offers a one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship in Hematopathology.

Goals of the Program

To provide a comprehensive experience in adult and pediatric hematopathology, including

  • Morphologic evaluation of lymphoid tissues, bone marrow biopsies and aspirate smears, blood films, and body fluid
  • The proper technique for performing bone marrow aspirations, biopsies, and assessing their quality
  • Evaluation of cellular antigens on leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, and other hematolymphoid conditions by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical analysis;
  • Interpretation of cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic assays in the context of myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma;
  • Interpretation of coagulation tests in the context of hemostasis;
  • Operation and management of automated hematology instrumentation and related digital image interpretation;
  • Involvement in management issues associated with various laboratories and regulatory policies that support the hematopathology program.

The annual case volume consists of approximately 3,000 bone marrow specimens, 1,600 lymph nodes, 6,000 diagnostic flow cytometric assays, 5,000 molecular diagnostic assays, and 3,500 cytogenetics/FISH assays. The program's faculty consists of 9 board-certified hematopathologists.  Fellows also work closely with faculty and staff in our Molecular Pathology, Genetics, and Genomics Clinical Laboratory and a specialist in Transfusion Medicine and Coagulation with dual appointments at Duke University and the Durham VA Medical Center. The fellow will be exposed to a wide variety of clinical and basic investigations and is encouraged to participate in research and quality improvement projects.

Annual Curriculum

The training year is divided into 12 four-week rotation blocks as follows:

7 blocks of diagnostic hematopathology, consisting of a mixture of in-house and consult cases (bone marrow, lymph node, blood smears, body fluids, and associated flow cytometric studies)

1 dedicated block of flow cytometry

1 block of cytogenetics

1 block of molecular diagnostics

1 block of coagulation/automated hematology

1 block of research or ACGME-required scholarly activity, with time for mini-electives

Fellows also have 20 weekdays of paid time off for vacation; 8 personal days paid time off for unexpected absences (bereavement, acute illness, personal/family/childcare emergencies, etc); and 2 personal days paid time off for elective health care visits.

Eligibility Requirements

MD or DO, board eligible or certified in anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP).  Exceptional AP-only candidates will also be considered.

Facilities

The Duke University Health System is a tertiary health care system serving patients from several mid-Atlantic states. It currently is comprised of three hospitals with 1498 beds.

An affiliation with the Durham Veteran's Affairs Hospital (274 beds) provides additional training opportunities as does the Duke Cancer Institute.  Trainees required under law to register for the US Selective Service System must have done so to train at the VA hospital.  Additional details can be found at https://www.sss.gov.

Stipend

Commensurate with level of training.

Applications & Timelines

Duke participates in the Hematopathology Fellowship Match through NRMP.  Please consult the NRMP and Society for Hematopathology websites for additional information.

Please complete all sections of the CAP Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships (DOC PDF) and submit a separate CV and personal statement. Please provide scores for all National Boards on the Standardized CAP form and separately submit related official documents. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by letter writers or a program/department administrator. Applications will be accepted between August 1st and November 15th for the appropriate application cycle (i.e. 8/1/2025 to 11/15/2025 for the 2027/2028 academic year).

Letters of recommendation must be received by November 20th. Applicants should expect to receive decisions on their application between December 1st and December 20th. Interviews generally take place between January 1st and February 15th. Duke’s Hematopathology Fellowship Handbook and updated rotation goals and objectives are available to applicants receiving an interview upon request.

Please direct any initial question and email your application package to Program Coordinator Brittany Harris.

Eric D. Carlsen, MD, PhD
Director of Hematopathology Fellowship
c/o Brittany Harris
Department of Pathology
DUMC 3712
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: 919-684-2070

Current Fellows

Julia An, MD

Julia An, MD
Hematopathology
Florida State University College of Medicine
julia.an@duke.edu

Lorena Costa, MD

Lorena Costa, MD
Hematopathology
lorena.costa@duke.edu