UW Pathology Diversity Visiting Student Program

Program Description 

The diversity visiting student program is a funded clerkship available to 1 medical student from a background that is underrepresented in medicine. The clerkship is a four-week rotation in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Students will work with our trainees and faculty on a variety of services, including gynecologic pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, dermatopathology, hematology, molecular genetics, and autopsy. We have the privilege of serving a diverse group of patients across a five-state region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho).  

Who Should Apply 

Competitive applicants will have demonstrated academic excellence as well as strong leadership and extracurricular experience such as involvement in activities that have made an impact on the care of underserved patients. 

Applicants must have a background that is underrepresented in medicine, including one or more of the following criteria: 

  1. Member of a group that is historically underrepresented in the health and science professions, including African American/Black, Native American/Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, or a member of the LGBTQ community. 
  2. Economically disadvantaged, defined as individuals who come from a low-income family, using income levels as specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
  3. Socially disadvantaged, defined as students coming from an environment that may significantly inhibit them from obtaining knowledge, skills, or abilities in pursuit of education in the health field.  

Preference will be given to those who will be full-time fourth-year students who plan to apply for a residency in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology and are in good standing at an LCME or COCA accredited medical school in the United States or Puerto Rico. 

Application Requirements  

Applicants must be on track to complete all required clerkships through their home medical school prior to beginning this internship. Funded Visiting Student positions will be available during the months of August, September, October, and November for qualified applicants. Funding includes a stipend of up to $3,000 to cover housing and travel costs. At the completion of the clerkship, qualified applicants may be invited to interview with the University of Washington Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology Residency.  

How to Apply 

Interested applicants should submit the following:  

  1. An application to PATH 680 through VSLO (visiting student application system)  
  2. In your Letter of Interest / Intent (submitted through VSLO) please address the following:  
    • Your reason for wanting to participate in this program 
    • Your career goals 
    • How this program would further your goals 

Selected applicants will be notified no later than June 1st. Applicants not selected for the funded pool may, if interested, be entered to be considered into the general pool of applicants for visiting rotations. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at pthclerk@uw.edu.