Teaching and Research Opportunities for Residents and Clinical Fellows

Residents are expected to participate in the teaching activities of the pathology Staff for the benefit of medical students at Case Western Reserve University. These experiences consist of supervising histopathology laboratories and small group discussions. Additional optional teaching experiences are available through the School of Nursing and the School of Dentistry at Case Western Reserve University.

Library Resources

Independent reading of relevant literature is required for Residents at all levels of training. Residents have at their disposal modern computer equipment for Internet access to relevant medical literature references. Excellent library facilities are available at the Allen Memorial Library on the corner of Adelbert Road and Euclid Avenue, at the CWRU School of Medicine Health Sciences Library, and at the UHC Core Library on Lakeside 3. Residents have full access to these libraries by agreements between UHC and CWRU School of Medicine. In addition to extensive bound volumes, the CWRU Health Science Library and the UHC Core Library each provide full online access to most of the relevant medical literature and medical literature search engines. The Department maintains collections of many useful texts in the resident office areas for common use. Residents are expected to care for these books as if they are their own. Residents may request new titles through the Program Director.

Research Electives

At any point in training, a Resident may collaborate with a member of the Staff to investigate a clinical or basic science topic, using spare time during regularly scheduled rotations.

Some Residents may have a need for elective research rotations in which their main activity will be the investigation of a research question. Elective research rotations, whether clinical or experimental, should meet the following requirements:

  • The research project should require the active participation of the Resident for the design of the study and the gathering and analysis of data.
  • The project should have a mentor, a member of the pathology residency teaching staff, or another individual approved by the Residency Program Director who is willing to supervise the research activity of the Resident and to provide written evaluations to the Residency Training Program. The intention of the mentor should be written in a memorandum to the Residency Training Program Director and should include the name and intention of the project, the specific role that the Resident will play in the execution of the project, the time that the Resident is invited to spend on the project, and the willingness to provide written evaluations for the Residency Training Program records.
  • The project must have the approval of the Program Director.

The proposed research elective must be compatible with the operating schedule of the Residency Training Program and should not compromise the ability of the Resident to meet any prior obligations. In general, Residents on research electives will be requested to participate in weekend and evening call schedules.

Educational Allowance and Travel Funds for Presentations

Educational Allowance

Residents are strongly encouraged to buy reference books and educational materials and to attend scientific meetings.

Educational allowance funds may be used for books, library and educational software fees and for attendance at meetings where new information is presented.

Residents must retain receipts and submit proper documentation of expenses to the Program Coordinator for processing in order to receive reimbursement for any expenses.

The Educational Allowance is intended only as a supplement for resident educational expenses, and is not intended to be a limit for the purchase of useful educational materials.

Travel Funds for Presentations

In addition to the Educational Allowance, residents are encouraged to present the results of their research at national meetings. The department supports the expenses of a Resident traveling to a pathology meeting approved by the Program Director in the continental US or Canada in order to present the results of a pathology-sponsored research project. Support will generally be limited to transportation to the site of the meeting the night before the presentation, hotel accommodations for one night and return transportation the night of the presentation. Educational Allowance funds, if available, may be used to extend the stay.

Residents anticipating presenting at a meeting should notify the Program Director in writing, including date of presentation, meeting name and faculty sponsors, with a copy of the abstract attached, as soon as an abstract has been accepted.

Residents receiving support for national presentations are obliged to prepare the same project for local presentation to the Cleveland Society of Pathologists.

General Notes on Reimbursed Travel

All travel to be reimbursed must be booked through the travel agency specified by the Hospital. After approval of travel by the Program Director, the Resident will be issued a Trip Number to be used for all arrangements.

Resident registration for the meeting will be paid at the early registration rate. Residents are expected to economize to conserve program resources including taking advantage of early registration discounts, using airport limo service, using less expensive accommodations and sharing rooms to the extent possible. Car rental, dining, telephone, entertainment and internet charges will not be reimbursed.

Residents must retain receipts and submit proper documentation of expenses to the Program Coordinator for processing in order to receive reimbursement for any expenses.