A coalition of pathologists has secured funding to establish six new residencies in veterinary anatomic pathology.

"This new funding will enhance candidates' training and provide excellent opportunities to experience additional career opportunities in veterinary pathology, and will help resolve the deficit of veterinary pathologists to fill critical positions in academia, the private sector, and government," stated Dr. Nancy Everds, president of the Society for Toxicologic Pathology, and Dr. Keith Harris, president of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

The pathology groups recently formed the ACVP/STP Coalition for Veterinary Pathology Fellows to provide a unified mechanism to solicit and allocate funds for additional positions to train veterinary anatomic and clinical pathologists (see JAVMA, June 15, 2005, page 1964).

The initiative resulted in residency funding from GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and sanofi-aventis along with additional unrestricted grant support from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Experimental Pathology Laboratories.

"Industry's early response to this important educational initiative has been outstanding," said Dr. Gary Cockerell, director of the ACVP/STP coalition.

Veterinary pathology training institutions in North America received applications to compete for the residencies. Following a review of 17 applications, the positions went to Colorado State University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of California-Davis, and University of Illinois.

"The generous support from industry will allow each of the funded programs to accept an additional highly qualified applicant who could not otherwise be supported," said Dr. Rose Raskin, professor of veterinary clinical pathology at Purdue University and chair of ACVP Training Coordinators.

The ACVP/STP coalition will continue to solicit support for additional positions, including residencies in veterinary clinical pathology, and for dissertation research by trainees who have already completed pathology residencies.