Welcome to UTHSC COM-Knoxville Department of Pathology
Program Overview
The Department of Pathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine - Knoxville offers a four-year program in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. The collegial atmosphere which pervades all departments creates an environment that is good for patient care and resident and fellow education. The Department of Pathology is a hybrid defined by a busy practice in an academic medical center. The pathologists in this department are excellent physicians who are committed to resident education.
This department is growing. High volume, case complexity, and variable case mix create a high pace environment that trains pathology residents to become productive competent pathologists capable of performing well in any type of practice setting. Case volume per year includes 30,000 surgical pathology specimen, 50,000 cytology specimens, and ample clinical pathology experience in a reference lab.
Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Pathology
Our Leadership
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology
Residency Program Director
Fellowship Program Director
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology
Associate Residency Program Director
Stuart Van Meter, MD
Ashley Scheiderer, MD
Laura Craig-Owens, MD
Whitney Brinkley, DO Chief Resident – PGY3
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn
Our Residents
Aaron
PGY1
University of Iowa RJ & L Carver College of Medicine
PGY2
PGY1
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
David
PGY2
PGY3
Univ.
McConeghey, MD
Nina Ventura, DO
Horvath, DO
Lincoln Mem. Univ. – DeBusk Coll. Of Osteo.
Makayla Hyde, DO PGY2
Edward Via Coll. Of Osteo.Auburn
Dexter Kirk, DO
Lincoln Mem. Univ. – DeBusk Coll. Of Osteo.
Charles Blue, MD
of TN Health Science Center - Memphis
Christie-Anne Estrada, MD PGY3
Florida International Univ.
Nicholas Hanson, DO PGY4
Des Moines Univ. College of Osteopathic Medicine
Surgical Pathology Fellowship
Program Description
The Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program is based in the Department of Pathology. One, one-year fellowship is available beginning each July 1. Our department offers a variety of excellent educational opportunities including high volume, case complexity and diversity of cases. Case volumes per year averages over 30,000 surgical specimens, 50,000 cytology accessions, including 5,000 non-gynecologic specimens and 1,200 fine needle aspirations. The fellow is given responsibility in signing out with appropriate supervision by senior faculty. Teaching activities include an unknown case conference, journal club, case presentations, conference presentation, and research presentations where applicable. Rotations include gross room and sign-out, special techniques: electron microscopy, molecular pathology, flow cytometry, etc.
A wide spectrum of specimens (GU, GI, renal, lung, liver, muscle, brain, skin, etc.) provide extensive experience. The fellow participates in interdepartmental conferences and has an active role in supervising and teaching pathology residents. A research project is not a requirement during the fellowship year, however it is highly encouraged, and supported. The Department of Pathology, which includes over twenty faculty, has an excellent information technology base (Cerner/ PowerChart/ CoPath) and incorporates state-of-the-art facilities.
Maria Mayorga, MD Fellow
Universidad Americana Facultad de Medicina
Forensic Pathology Fellowship
Coming Soon!
In collaboration with:
Lauren Havrilla, DO Fellowship Program Director
Basic Residency Application Criteria
1. ERAS Application
2. Resume' or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Personal Statement
4. Medical School Transcript (graduation date within 5 years)
5. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean's letter when available)
6. Three letters of reference
7. Official transcript of USMLE or COMLEX scores
Salary and Benefits
2025-2026 Academic Year Resident Salaries*
*To offset the cost of Disability and Life Insurance Premiums $600 has been added to your annual salary.
A resident stipend is determined by the currently assigned PGY level and is unrelated to the number of prior months or years of previous GME completed by the resident.
Salary and Benefits (Cont’d)
Insurance
• Medical - Medical Center Pays 80%, Resident Pays 20% Co-Payment, Individual, Individual & Spouse, Individual & Children, or Family Coverage Disability - $1,500 Per Month Benefit Life - $100,000 (Double Indemnity Accidental) Liability - Provided by Tennessee State Board of Claims (Limited to Residency Program Activities).
Educational Meetings
• UTHSC COM-Knoxville supports resident travel to approved regional or national conferences when the resident is presenting an accepted poster, abstract or oral presentation, or to receive an award. Amount - $2,500 per such meeting. International travel for resident and fellow presentations will no longer be supported by GME funds. Accordingly, residents and fellows seeking GME funding for travel should not submit abstracts to meetings outside the contiguous 48 states. Abstract submissions for travel to Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. territories must be original research and have the prior approval of the Department Chair and the Assistant Dean of GME in consultation with the Dean. Departments may elect to support international travel for residents and fellows through non-GME funding sources
Salary and Benefits (Cont’d)
Vacation**
15 working days per year
Sick Leave
5 personal days per year
Holidays
All University of Tennessee Holidays although the actual day awarded may vary due to patient care concerns.
Educational Leave
10 educational leave days are allowed per academic year
Bereavement Leave
For immediate family
Leave of Absent
Residents are granted leave of absence with particular arrangements with program criteria in compliance with Board requirements for absence from training.
**The amount of time a resident can be away from residency duties and still meet Board and or graduation requirements varies among the specialties. Each program will provide its residents with written program-specific policies on leave allowances and the effect of leaves of absence, for any reason, on satisfying the criteria for completion of that program.
Salary and Benefits (Cont’d)
Payment for Publications
GME funds can be used to pay for resident and fellow publication costs up to $1,500 per accepted manuscript. To qualify, publications must meet the following criteria: (1) resident or fellow must be first or second author on the paper, (2) original research only (3) the journal must be PubMed cited and peer reviewed, and (4) the Impact Factor of the journal must exceed 1.5. Journal submission or membership fees will not be supported by GME funds. Residents should first check the impact factor of the journal of interest before submitting the manuscript.
Educational Benefits
Additional courses provided by the UTHSC COMKnoxville:
• Business courses for the practicing physician and dentist
• Research design and statistics
• Foundational Curriculum
Additional courses provided by the Graduate School of Medicine:
• Research design and statistics
• Foundational Curriculum
Salary and Benefits (Cont’d)
Loaner Microscopes
Microscopes are available to our pathology residents for “at home” usage during their pathology residency.
Step 3 Compensation
UTHSC COM-Knoxville provides $950 compensation for Step 3 with proof of payment and score report.
Online Educational Resources
Immunoquery and ExpertPath
Simulation Center
Available for all residents in all training programs with emphasis on surgical and procedural practice.
Uniforms
Monogrammed white lab coats provided.
Fleece Jackets
Monogrammed fleece jackets provided. Meals
Provided during on-call hours
Pagers
Alpha-numeric pagers provided
Medical Library
PubMed searches, photocopying, and computer laboratory provided. Library facility access is available 24/7
Notary
Notary services are provided
Parking
Free parking provided by the Medical Center
Salary and Benefits (Cont’d)
Textbooks
The Department of Pathology provides each resident with $1,000 each academic year to purchase textbooks and/or question banks to their choosing. Each resident is provided with a recommended reading list as a guide for textbook purchasing if an individual copy is preferred.
The Pathology Resident Library is well stocked with educational textbooks for resident learning.
Research / Scholarly Activity
At a Glance – Academic Year 2024-25
Faculty & Residents Publications: 5
Faculty & Residents National/International
Presentations: 9 (includes invited lectures)
Research / Scholarly Activity
Publications
• Bryant L, Hickman J, Hartage R. Utilizing Plasma Volume to Increase Thawed Viability of Mobilized Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Vol. 31, No. 2, 2025 Feb. doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2025.01.724.
• Clegg DJ, Bogardus SR, Schmocker RK, Peralta I, Nodit L, Enomoto LM: Massive retroperitoneal teratoma presenting in a pregnant woman. ACS Case Reviews in Surgery, Vol. 4, No. 8, Dec.19,2024
• Schmocker RK, Nodit L, Ward AJ, Lewis JM, McLoughlin JM, Enomoto LM. Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Antibody in Tumor and Plasma Specimens in Patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2024 Oct 7. doi: 10.1245/s10434-024-16292-8. Epub ahead of print Oct 7 2024. PMID: 39373930.
• Muscarella KR, Eberts PT, Craig-Owens LD, Groark EK, Osborne DR, Osborne T, Tracy G, Stephens CD, Nodit LM. Mucinous-appearing contamination of serous effusions by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose from suction canister lids. Cancer Cytopathol. 2024 Aug 3. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22892. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39097787.
• Proffitt GA, Hovell ME, Little JG, Shorman MA, Nodit LM, Vaghaiwalla TM. The role of adrenalectomy in the management of cryptococcal infection. Am Surg. 2024 Dec;90(12):3294-3296. doi: 10.1177/00031348241265138. Epub 2024 Jul 20.
Research / Scholarly Activity
Presentations
• Kirk D, Schmocker RK, Orucevic A. IgG4-related sclerosingcholangitis with associated inflammatory pseudotumor“strikes” again as a great mimicker of perihilarcholangiocarcinoma. Digestive Disease Week AnnualMeeting; 2025 May 3; San Diego, CA.
• Hanson N, Eberts P, VanMeter S, Newman S, Lauro C,Lloyd J, Brooks A, MorinDucote G, Daker R, Ellington C,Bergquist N, Perkins E, Bell J, and Orucevic A.Clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes ofmetaplastic breast carcinoma patients: 20-year outcomeresults from an academic medical center in the United States.Presented at the 19th St. Gallen Breast Cancer Conference;2025 Mar 12; Vienna, Austria.
• Brinkley, W. H., Scheiderer, A. N., "Atypical CellularNeurothekeoma Recurrence and Transformation in the Elderlyat an Unusual Location: A Case Report," American Society ofDermatopathology Annual Meeting; 2024 Nov 7; Chicago, IL.
• Muscarella K, Craig-Owens L, Nodit L and Eberts P.Impact of Contamination of Serous Effusions by SodiumCarboxymethyl Cellulose from Collection Canisters' Tops.Presented at The College of American Pathologists AnnualMeeting; 2024 Oct 19; Las Vegas, NV.
• Peralta I, Mayorga M, Grindstaff A, Nodit L.Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Body Mass Index,Twenty Years Review. Presented at The College of AmericanPathologists Annual Meeting; 2024 Oct 19; Las Vegas, NV.
• Muscarella K, Eberts P, Craig-Owens L, Nodit L. Mucin mystery: The impact of serousfluid contamination by new suction canisters. Presented at The College of AmericanPathologists Annual Meeting; 2024 Oct 19; Las Vegas, NV.
Research / Scholarly Activity
Presentations
(cont’d)
• Kenyon K, Enomoto L, Faulkner N, Orucevic A. Diagnosis of sarcomatoid adrenalcortical carcinoma in the era of personalized medicine. Presented at the 4th BinaytaraPrecision Oncology Summit; 2024 Oct 5; San Francisco, CA.
• DePew S, Ravindran A. A Case of HIV-Multicentric Castleman Disease withHemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. Presented as part of a symposium at 22ndmeeting of European Association for Hematopathology and Society Hematopathology(EA4HP-SH), Dubrovnik, Croatia, September 2024.
• DePew S, Ravindran A. Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia (T/Myeloid) masquerading asAcute Myeloid Leukemia. Presented as part of a symposium at 22nd meeting of EuropeanAssociation for Hematopathology and Society Hematopathology (EA4HP-SH),Dubrovnik, Croatia, September 2024.
Post-Residency Placement
2019-2023 :
Christopher Allen, DO
Neuropathology, Medical University of South Carolina (2023 – 2025)
Molecular Pathology, Medical University of South Carolina (2025 – 2026)
Tiffany Alley, DO, PhD
Oncologic Surgical Pathology, UT Graduate School of Medicine (2023 – 2024)
Medical Renal Pathology, Vanderbilt University (2024 – 2025)
2018 - 2022:
Gabriel Collins, DO
Hematopathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham (2022 – 2023)
Justin Lohmann, DO
Forensic Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (2022 – 2023)
2017 - 2021:
Katherine Cochrane, MD
Forensic Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson (2021 – 2022)
Ashley Scheiderer, MD
Surgical Pathology, Emory University (2021 - 2022)
Jacob Snyder, DO
Hematopathology, University of South Carolina, Charleston (2021 – 2022)
2016 - 2020 :
Christopher LePhong , DO
Hematopathology, UT Health Science Center San Antonio (2020 - 2021)
Pediatric Pathology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (2021- 2022)
Claire Rose, MD
Forensic Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (2020 - 2021)
Tracy Shachner, DO
Surgical Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville (2020 - 2021)
2015 - 2019:
Vijay Patel, MD
Hematopathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (2019 - 2020)
Parthavkumar Patel, MD
Cytopathology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2019 - 2020)
GI Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (2020 - 2021)
Post-Residency Placement
2022-2026 :
Nicholas Hanson, DO
Hematopathology, Medical College of Wisconsin (2026 – 2027)
2021-2025 :
Katia Kenyon, MD
Forensic Pathology, Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (2025 – 2026)
Maria Mayorga, MD
Surgical Pathology, UT Graduate School of Medicine (2025 – 2026)
2020-2024:
Isairis Peralta, MD
Surgical Pathology, Penn Medicine (2024 – 2025)
GI Pathology, Penn Medicine (2025 – 2026)
Ryan Sauls, DO
Hematopathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville (2024 – 2025)
UT Medical Center
• 715-bed acute care teaching hospital
• East Tennessee region’s only
• Academic Medical Center
• Magnet recognized hospital
• Level I Trauma Center
• 17 ACGME-accredited specialty & subspecialty programs with over 250 residents and fellows
• Medical Simulation Center
• Preston Medical Library
• Clerkships for M3 and M4 students
First-Year Resident Schedule Template
13 Block Rotations
• Orientation: 1 block
• Autopsy: 2 blocks
• Surg Path: 6 blocks
• Chemistry: 1 block
• Blood Bank: 1 block
• Microbiology: 1 block
• Research: 1 block
UTMC Gross Room
Six fully operational workstations
Three full-time Pathology Assistants
Clinical Rotation Sites
DermatoPathology Partners, PC
Innovative Pathology Services
Pediatric Pathology
Molecular Pathology Labortory Network, Inc.
Knox County Regional Forensic Center MEDIC
Meet Our Faculty
Our Faculty
Laura Craig-Owens, MD
Assistant Professor
Associate Program Director
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Cytopathology
Sarah DePew, DO
Assistant Professor Director, Clinical Chemistry
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Hematopathology
Paul Eberts, MD
Assistant Professor Director, Microbiology
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Cytopathology
Alan Grindstaff, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology GI Pathology Nephropathology
Ramon Hartage, MD
Assistant Professor Director, Blood Bank
Clinical Focus: Transfusion Medicine Blood Banking
Elizabeth Hubbard, MD
Associate Professor
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Cytopathology
Laurentia Nodit, MD
Professor
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Cytopathology GI Pathology
Amila
Orucevic, MD, PhD Professor
Director, Pathology Research
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology
GI Pathology
GYN Pathology
Ashley Scheiderer, MD
Assistant Professor Director, Surgical Pathology Residency & Fellowship Program Director
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Head & Neck Pathology
Our Faculty
George Sneed, DO
Assistant Professor Director, Cytopathology
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Cytopathology
Stuart E. Van Meter, MD
Associate Professor Chair, Dept. of Pathology
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Cytopathology Clinical Chemistry
James Vaughan, MD
Assistant Professor Director, Hematopathology
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Hematopathology Flow Cytometry
Yorke D. Young, MD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Focus: Surgical Pathology Hematology / Coagulation
Our Coordinators
Ashley E. Capps C-TAGME
Program Manager
Pathology Residency & Fellowship
Lyndsey B. Cook
Coordinator
Pathology Residency & Fellowship
Pamela C. Guider, C-TAGME
Coordinator
Pathology Residency & Fellowship
Meet Our Residents
Our Residents
Hometown: Neenah, Wisconsin
Nicholas Hanson, DO
PGY-4
Charles Blue, MD
PGY-3
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Our Residents
Christie-Anne Estrada, MD
PGY-3
Hometown: Harlingen, Texas and Boca Raton, Florida
Whitney Brinkley, DO
PGY-3
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Our Residents
Makayla Hyde, DO
PGY-2
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia; Huntsville, Alabama; Knoxville, Tennessee; Novi, Michigan; and Opelika, Alabama
PGY-2
Hometown: Clarksville, Indiana; Harrogate, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; and Pikeville, Kentucky
Dexter Kirk, DO
PGY-2
Hometown: Bluefield, Virginia; Dublin, Virginia; and Richmond, Virginia
David Horvath, DO
Aaron McConeghey, MD
PGY-1
Hometown: Fairfield, Iowa; Provo, Utah; and Windsor, California
Our Residents
DO
PGY-1
Hometown: Fairport, New York; Fort Myers, Florida; and Franklin, Tennessee
Nina Ventura,
About Knoxville
About Knoxville
Low cost of living & no State Income Tax
Ranked #46 on the U.S. News & World “Best Places to Live in the USA” list
A cultured city that combines all the benefits of music, art, history, and cuisine
Less than an hour’s drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Small local airport with access to major airlines & cities
Vast opportunities for outdoor activities (Biking, hiking, kayaking, etc.)
Diverse live music venues
Minor league and college sporting events
Downtown Knoxville
Market Square
Old City
Concord Park/Turkey Creek
Ijams Nature Center
Appalachian Trail
Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
Chattanooga
Nashville
Atlanta
Asheville
Places to Visit
Our Culture
Our Culture
Various Wellness Events
Smokies Baseball Outing
Holiday Celebrations
Ice Bears Hockey Outing
Pumpkin Painting
TN Football Outing
Trivia Night
Friendsgiving & More!
Our Culture
2025-2026 Interview Season
September 24th - ERAS Applications Released to Programs
Mid-October – Invitations to Interview sent via Thalamus
Late October – Mid-December - Virtual Interviews Conducted Via Zoom, Scheduling for interview via Thalamus
January 2026 – Overflow Interview Dates
February 2026 – Second Look Sessions
February 22nd – Applicant Selection Committee Meets
February 28th – NRMP Rank Order List Certification Deadline
March 16th – NRMP Match Week
March 20th – NRMP Match Day
2025-2026 Virtual Interview - Day Sample Schedule
