Clinical Chemistry Fellowship

Program Description: Begun in 1972, this ComACC accredited postdoctoral training program has a rich history of producing leaders within the field of Clinical Chemistry. Fellows receive two-years of intensive training in both the analytical and clinical aspects of clinical chemistry and are prepared to enter laboratory medicine in clinical service, educational, or research roles. Training takes place primarily within the McLendon Clinical Laboratories Core Laboratories which occupy ~10000 sq.ft. of clinical laboratory space. The Core Laboratories currently handle ~3000 samples per day and exceed 5,000,000 procedures annually. The testing menu along with the work produced through referral testing assures the trainee receives exposure to an extensive range of testing.

Training is flexible and dependent upon the fellow’s previous experience. During the initial six-month period, the fellow rotates through the major clinical chemistry sections: automated chemistry (general, high-volume testing), special chemistry (electrophoresis, immunoassay, chromatography, etc), toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring, critical care (blood gases and specific stat testing), and pediatric metabolism (organic acids, amino acids). Throughout this period and into the second year as fellows demonstrate mastery of previous assignments, they are given additional responsibilities and activities of increasing complexity. Examples of such include test interpretation, method troubleshooting, on-call responsibilities, referral testing review, method/instrument evaluations, procedures revisions, and inspection readiness. The fellow is expected to participate in a variety of educational activities to supplement the rotations. These include didactics and informal discussions, Clinical Pathology Residents and Fellow’s Conference, Grand Rounds, and the McLendon Clinical Laboratories continuing education program. In the second year, the fellows are encouraged to devote a portion of their time to at least one research problem and to continue expanding their participation in the management process of the laboratory.

Through this program fellows are eligible, and encouraged, to sit for the American Board of Clinical Chemistry examination at the conclusion of their first year.

Program Requirements: Applicants must have an earned Doctor of Philosophy (or an equivalent doctoral degree) in the basic sciences; chemistry, biology or physics or Doctor of Medicine degree from an accredited university or college. Applicants should have successfully completed enough chemistry courses to apply to the American Board of Clinical Chemistry, i.e., a minimum of 30 semester hours (or equivalent) in undergraduate and/or graduate level chemistry or biochemistry courses taken at institutions acceptable to the Board. Those possessing an MD must be diplomates of the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, or have met the requirements to take the Board examination.

Stipends: Fellowship stipends are based on the trainee's number of years of postdoctoral training.

Program Director: Catherine Hammett-Stabler, PhD, DABCC

Faculty Members:

John F. Chapman, DrPH — General clinical chemistry, laboratory automation, laboratory management, laboratory statistics, lipid testing, laboratory assessment of fetal lung maturity and Point-of-Care testing.

Catherine Hammett-Stabler, PhD — General clinical chemistry, clinical toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring including development of criteria for optimal and appropriate testing, development and evaluation of new methods, and pharmacogenetics.

Applications: Applicants must provide a statement of interest, a copy of their curriculum vita, and official copies of their undergraduate and graduate or medical school transcripts, plus three letters of recommendation. If selected for an interview, applicants will be provided a formal application. All materials must be received by November 1 of the year before the anticipated start date.

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