Comments on: Welcome to Army Pathology

By: Dr. Keith J. Kaplan

Dr. Keith J. Kaplan — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:54:51 +0000

In reply to Robin.

Hi Robin,
GMO time WAS NOT required but for some they chose to do it before choosing pathology perhaps. Many in pathology matched straight through at the time during internship for path, rads and others. One of my classmates in the Army was a GMO by choice. The 2 Navy folks were also GMOs but Army DID NOT require. It may end up that way – the reason for a clinical internship. However, now that pathology has gone to 4 years without “clinical” year or “5th year” it would seem you match right into pathology now?

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:23:04 +0000

Thank you for this post.
It gives me insight into the Army Pathology Residency. I am an HPSP medical student am looking forward to this. I am curious though as to your intern year and the other Army resident working as a GMO for several years and not going straight into the pathology residency after graduating. Was that required at the time?

By: David Frishberg

David Frishberg — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:15:48 +0000

Renata was definitely a no BS boss. I enjoyed our year together at WRAMC.

That attitude is why I like to hire pathologists with military experience. You tell them to go cover a hospital and the answer is “OK. Just tell me where the scope, phone, and computer are.”

By: Dr. Keith J. Kaplan

Dr. Keith J. Kaplan — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:53:53 +0000

In reply to Rick Gomez.

Rick – thank you for the comment – absolutely agree with you. Fortunate to be stationed at what remained of three Army pathology training programs, down from double that not more than a few years prior. As Dr. Cruser mentioned, the value proposition was simple — great cases, great staff. Taught us how to practice to be solid general pathologists and lab directors. “I provide you staff, I provide you microscopes, I provide you cases. You show up in your uniform on time” worked out very well for all of us!

By: Rick Gomez

Rick Gomez — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:28:07 +0000

You all had the experience at the “mecca” of Army pathology and probably saw more material than I and my colleagues at William Beaumont (El Paso) in the late 80’s; but somehow our community hospital residency prepared us well enough to pass the Boards and humbly continue to learn after training. Wouldn’t trade the experience the DoD training in pathology provided.

By: Dan Cruser MD

Dan Cruser MD — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:40:18 +0000

And that is exactly what happened. No frills, no BS. Just immediate submersion in an overwhelming sea of excellent cases and brilliant teachers. It really was great.