Forensic pathology fellowship

We partner with the University of Utah School of Medicine’s forensic pathology fellowship program for 1 trainee per year. We participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

We're a centralized state-wide medical examiner system positioned within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and we're accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).

Fellowship goals
Why come to the Utah OME?
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Fellowship goals

Our goal is to prepare you to practice in any forensic pathology setting. We teach you the knowledge and skills you need with supervision and mentorship. The fellow at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner functions as an asset rather than a necessity allowing you to focus on interesting cases. 

As you become comfortable, you’ll work on increasingly complex cases developing autonomy and confidence. By the end of the fellowship, not only will you obtain the necessary cases for board certification, you will be able to manage the same caseload as our forensic pathologists. Through the entire fellowship, a large team of board certified forensic pathologists will always be available to answer questions, guide you through cases, and review your work.

Why come to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner?

In-depth curriculum

The fellowship's curriculum includes all areas of postmortem investigations, including scene investigations, preserving evidence, conducting external exams, conducting autopsies, case management, interpreting diagnostic tests and imaging, and determining the cause and manner of death.

Didactics are provided by forensic pathologists as well as teaching opportunities for the fellows with medical students, attorneys, and medical investigators are available.

Other learning areas include forensic toxicology with the Utah Public Health Laboratory, criminalistics (e.g., ballistics, trace evidence, identification) and DNA analysis with the Utah state crime lab, providing court testimony throughout the state of Utah, and conducting scholarly research.

Wide variety of cases

Utah is almost 85,000 miles large and includes urban, rural, and wilderness areas. You’ll see a variety of cases from across the state to provide you with rich learning experiences and professional growth.

Partnerships and resources

You'll have the opportunity to work closely with our partners, including healthcare workers at major trauma centers and pediatric hospitals, law enforcement agencies, public health departments, forensic anthropologists, forensic odontologists, forensic neuropathologists, and legal professionals.

Our office also has resources that aren’t found in all states, such as close physical proximity to the state crime lab and public health lab, in-house forensic epidemiology, and LODOX imaging.

Unique focus on public health

Our office has a unique focus on the intersection of public health and forensic science.

You'll learn how we collaborate with state and local health departments to inform policy, prevention, and intervention efforts for deaths such as suicides and drug overdoses.

Learn from highly trained staff

Our team has highly trained team members for you to learn from, including AMBDI-certified death investigators, trained autopsy assistants, and morgue clerks. We have 9 forensic pathologists on staff, including 2 board-certified forensic neuropathologists.

Office culture

We foster a culture that is collaborative, supportive, and strokes a balance between productivity and well-being, creating a space where employees and fellows can thrive. This culture includes benefits such as administrative and scheduling support, mentorship, a flexible schedule, a wellness committee, and mental health resources.

Learn more

Learn more about the curriculum, professors, and application process from the University of Utah Medical School.

Email Andrew Guajardo, MD or Anna Bond if you have questions about the forensic pathology fellowship.