Dermatopathology Fellowship

Overview

The Mass General Brigham Dermatopathology Fellowship is an ACGME-accredited training program that draws on the facilities of the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), with didactic input from faculty at Boston Children's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The MGB Fellowship is overseen at BWH by Dr. Alvaro Laga, Program Director, and at MGH by Dr. Ruth K. Foreman, Associate Program Director.

The fellowship is one year. Fellows enter the program eligible for Board certification in dermatology or pathology and receive training in the complementary fields of anatomic pathology or clinical dermatology, respectively. Additionally, fellows receive training in immunopathology, immunofluorescence, infectious disease pathology (microbiology/mycology), tissue processing for both routine and specialized microscopy, diagnostic electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular genomics, and laboratory management. The program is based at two major Harvard teaching hospitals (Mass General Brigham), providing access to a wide range of faculty with diverse academic interests and expertise and institutional resources.

The Mass General Brigham Diagnostic Services analyze daily a large number of diverse and complex specimens derived from Mass General and Brigham clinical practices and consult referrals from elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. These services are supported by comprehensive laboratories that provide a vast array of immunohistochemical and molecular probes.

Fellows have abundant opportunities to attend a wide variety of clinical and pathological conferences, and are required to participate in teaching residents and medical students. Faculty mentors are involved in didactic initiatives, including authorship in dermatopathology textbooks, including Pathology of the Skin, and Lever's Histology of the Skin, and others.

Requirements

Fellowship candidates must be graduates of approved medical schools in the United States or Canada. Graduates of foreign medical schools must have an ECFMG Certificate. Applicants must have completed a residency training program in either Pathology or Dermatology and be eligible for certification in either one to enter the program.

Curriculum

Clinical translational research opportunities are available throughout the program, and at least one research project is required.

There are ample opportunities for participation in translational research that complements acquisition of basic diagnostic skills requisite for dermatopathology practice and/or for academic careers as clinical educators and physician/scientists.

Research Experience

Clinical translational research opportunities are available throughout the program, and at least one research project is required.

There are ample opportunities for participation in translational research that complements acquisition of basic diagnostic skills requisite for dermatopathology practice and/or for academic careers as clinical educators and physician/scientists.

How to Apply

Fellowship application form, additional application materials, and inquires should be submitted by email to: MGBPathologyfellowships@mgb.org

We recruit two years out and will begin accepting applications in May for the corresponding academic year. There is no deadline to apply; we will continue accepting applications until we fill all positions. In the summer, information on interviews will be given to selected applicants following review of a complete application. We anticipate joining the NRMP match for fellowship positions next season (for fellowship positions starting July 2029).

Application Materials

• CAP Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application
• Curriculum Vitae (must be in month/year format 00/0000)
• Personal Statement describing career goals and surgical pathology interests
• 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)
• Passport-style photo
• Three Letters of Recommendation (one letter must be from your current program director or department chair)
• Letters of Recommendation should be emailed by the letter writer to: MGBPathologyfellowships@mgb.org
• Copy of MD Degree (International medical graduates only)
• Copy of ECFMG Certificate (International medical graduate only)

Fellowships and Faculty Contacts

Alvaro Laga, MD, MMSc Program Director

Ruth K Foreman, MD, PhD Associate Program Director

Philip Bulterys, MD, PhD

Dr. Duncan is retiring at the end of this academic year

Christine Guo Lian, MD

John Hanna, MD, PhD

Mai P. Hoang, MD

Jakob Moran, MD

Brigitta Schmidt, MD

Anna Stagner, MD

Mack Su, MD, PhD (Starting July 1 2026)

Andras Schaffer, MD, PhD (Anticipated start May or June 2026)

Sara Erem, MD (Starting July 2026)