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Rotations happen on four-week blocks, referred to from now on as months. In general, the fellows will rotate through surgical pathology (6 blocks), autopsy service (3 blocks), placenta/perinatal pathology (1 block) and neuropathology (1 block).

At least 2 months of elective rotations are provided towards the end of the year with the goal of allowing the fellow to tailor elective time towards possible future needs. Elective time can include additional time in one of the core rotations or alternatively, other rotations available include hematopathology, liver and GI pathology, renal pathology, transplant pathology, molecular pathology, ophthalmic pathology and research.

This general outline may change depending on the fellow's competency and educational needs.

Fellow’s Conference: Occurs on a weekly basis on Thursdays at noon. It is a fellow-run conference and topics rotate to include:

• Interesting case conference: interesting surgical pathology cases are brought up and discussed.
• Autopsy: the gross and microscopic findings of interesting/challenging autopsy cases are presented with discussion of clinicopathologic correlations and cause of death.
• Journal club: recent research articles pertinent to the field of pediatric pathology are presented and critically discussed.
• Anatomic Pathology/Molecular Pathology conference: Cases requiring correlation with molecular pathology findings are discussed with our Molecular Pathology colleagues.

Surgery/Radiology/Pathology Correlation Conference (twice per month, Tuesdays at 8 a.m.): This conference is run by pediatric surgery residents/fellows. Three cases of their choosing are presented from the surgical, radiologic and pathologic perspective. Pediatric pathology fellows are in charge of presenting the pathologic findings.

There are numerous additional conferences that the fellow is highly encouraged to attend which include:

• Pediatric Grand Rounds (weekly, Friday at 8:30 a.m.)
• Renal Pathology Conference (every other week)
• Liver Pathology Conference (monthly)
• Pulmonary Radiology-Pathology Conference (monthly)
• Heart Transplant Conference (monthly)
• Tumor boards (thyroid, liver, soft tissue)
• M&M conferences

The fellow will take call every three-four weeks, for a week at a time under the supervision of attending on call.

Many of our faculties are actively involved in research projects within our department and in collaboration with other clinical departments. Ample opportunity is provided to participate in any of these endeavors. In addition, we welcome and support research endeavors that are within the fellow’s interests.

Our program accepts two fellowship positions every year. Applicants must have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited Anatomic or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency program. Successful completion of all USMLE/COMLEX exams is required.

All application materials, including recommendation letters, must be submitted online, and include the following:

• Completed online House Staff Application
• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two to three Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation should be addressed to: Nahir Cortes-Santiago, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology & Immunology
Pediatric Pathology Fellowship Program Director
Texas Children's Hospital
6621 Fannin St. AB1195
Houston, TX 77030

nxcortes@texaschildrens.org

Interviews typically take place 18-20 months prior to fellowship year. We are currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years. A remote/virtual interview is offered to those whose credentials are suitable.

Nahir Cortes-Santiago, M.D., Ph.D. – Program Director
nxcortes@texaschildrens.org

Kudakwashe R. Chikwava, M.D. – Associate program director
krchikwa@texaschildrens.org

Rosario Guzman – Fellowship Coordinator
rosariog@bcm.edu / rsguzman@texaschildrens.org