Residents are immersed from the first day of residency in an atmosphere of teaching and learning. The resident is not expected to know pathology any more than fellow residents entering clinical specialties. However, everything is done in a teaching/learning mode, and the resident rapidly grows in expertise and confidence. Slides are shown by residents to other residents and faculty informally at morning conferences , interesting cases are discussed by residents in clinical pathology rounds, and one resident shows another how to deal with a pathologic problem or test. Residents teach other residents from the beginning.

From this background, resident teaching in departmental conferences emerges. Cases are shown in Surgical Pathology, discussed in Clinical Pathology Rounds, and presented at Autopsy Conference. Recent journal articles are analyzed and explained in Journal Club. Many clinical services hold conferences in which residents present pathologic findings and answer questions; these include Ob-Gyn, Surgery, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Neurology-Oncology Conferences. [link to Resident Conferences]

After a semester of exposure to Pathology, residents show gross specimens to the medical students during the labs in their Pathology course. They may also discuss lab topics with small groups with students and review lab exercises. Senior Pathology residents are invited to give a lecture or two to the medical student class-all 100 of them. And what senior resident couldn’t hold forth with eloquence on "Pulmonary Infections" or "Diseases of the Gallbladder?" Here is a change to organize and display accumulated knowledge and hone teaching skills. Usually a faculty member is around for helpful feedback after the session.

The May meeting of the Tucson Pathology Society features residents’ presentations as its scientific portion---another chance to shine. Resident research is encouraged and platform and poster presentations at national meetings are another form of resident teaching. As always, there are faculty for support and guidance, but what the resident achieves is a reflection of his or her own effort.

Arizona Health Sciences Center holds teaching excellence in high regard. Awards for excellence in teaching are presented annually at a public ceremony at the medical center. The Department of Pathology has won the award for the best basic science medical school course for 4 of the last 6 years. Several faculty have won awards for their outstanding teaching as well. The Department of Pathology also sponsors two yearly awards: to a resident for outstanding teaching of medical students; and to a faculty member for outstanding resident teaching (selected by the residents).