Renal Pathology Fellowship

Directed by Chief Astrid Weins, MD, PhD, the BWH Renal Pathology Fellowship is a year-long fellowship under the supervision of two senior renal pathologists, Dr. Weins and Dr. Rennke. We also offer shorter clinical electives, rotations or observerships depending on availability.

Goals and Objectives

During our fellowship, trainees will be able to

• independently review and recognize the pathologic features of the most important and common renal disorders, understand relevant pathomechanisms, and acquire the ability to formulate a diagnosis.
• experience the challenges and dynamics of an academic renal pathology service.
• learn the technical aspects of all ancillary diagnostics used in the evaluation of the renal biopsy, including tissue processing, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.

Under the direction of Drs. Helmut Rennke and Astrid Weins, the trainee will participate in all the daily activities of the renal pathology laboratory and will be actively involved with the renal staff pathologist in all the steps leading to the final diagnosis of all renal specimens submitted, including consults.

These steps involve: 1) assessment of fresh biopsies obtained at BWH using the stereomicroscope; 2) tissue allocation for light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, 3) biopsy evaluation by light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and 4) generation of written diagnostic reports.

Self-teaching materials available to the trainee includes carefully adjudicated teaching cases in Powerpoint presentation format, with light and immunofluorescence microscopy images, electron micrographs, and clinical histories. Also, online learning tools including an interactive book and concept videos, and a pertinent list of reading material will be provided to the trainee.

The trainee is expected to attend and participate in twice monthly renal pathology conferences and is strongly encouraged to take advantage of daily departmental teaching and diagnostic conferences.

Conferences and Other Learning Opportunities

• Renal Grand Rounds – Weekly, one teaching case (often with pathology) is presented followed by a didactic talk (Renal Division)
• Renal Pathology Conferences – Twice monthly, several cases are presented in the format of clinicopathologic conference; clinical and pathologic correlations are discussed
• Journal Club of the Renal Division
• Review of current cases with staff nephrologists, nephrology fellows and house staff daily at the multiheaded microscope (Pathology Department)

Requirements

Applicants must be Board eligible or certified in Anatomic Pathology, or equivalent in a foreign country.

How To Apply

For AY 2026-2027, the Renal Pathology Fellowship Program will begin accepting applications on April 1, 2024. There is no deadline to apply. Applications and interviews will be reviewed and offered on a rolling basis.

Inquiries and the below application materials can be submitted by email to:

Department of Pathology
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115

Phone: 617-732-4699
Fax: 617-278-6934
Email: bwhpathologyfellowships@bwh.harvard.edu

• CAP Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application
• Curriculum Vitae (must be in date/year format 00/0000)
• Personal Statement describing career goals and cytopathology interest
• USMLE Steps 1, 2, & 3 Score Report- (Canadian physicians and Doctors of Osteopathy who are eligible for licensure may substitute documentation of successful completion of LMCC/MCCQE and COMLEX examinations, respectively, in lieu of USMLE examinations).
• Photo
• Three Letters of Recommendation (one letter must be from your current program director or department chair)
• Copy of MD Degree or equivalent (International medical graduates only)
• Copy of ECFMG Certificate (International medical graduate only)