Forensic Pathology Fellowship
The SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program offers training in the St. Louis City Medical Examiner’s Office, integrating high-volume, urban casework with courtroom exposure and multidisciplinary training in crime and toxicology laboratories.
A Message From the Program Director
Thank you for your interest in the Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program.
The St. Louis City Medical Examiner's Office has 25 full-time employees, including forensic pathologists, medicolegal death investigators, autopsy assistants and administrative staff. As a fellow, you'll join our team as an assistant medical examiner under the supervision and guidance of a senior forensic pathologist. You'll be exposed to a wide variety of cases in a busy urban setting with graduated responsibilities and complete ownership of cases. Further, you will have ample opportunities to teach medical students, actively participate in multi-disciplinary conferences, engage in research projects and attend local and national conferences.
For more information, please visit the Office of the Medical Examiner website. Please contact us with any questions about the program.
Kanayo Tatsumi, M.D.
Program director
Chief medical examiner, City of St. Louis
Program Overview
The one-year, ACGME-accredited forensic pathology fellowship provides immersive training at the Office of the Medical Examiner for the City of St. Louis. Serving a population of 300,000, the office manages approximately 1,400 cases and performs 400 to 600 autopsies annually. The fellowship is open to applicants who will have completed an anatomic or anatomic/clinical pathology residency prior to matriculation.
- Assistant Medical Examiner Role:
- Conducts autopsies
- Attends crime scenes
- Interacts with families, physicians, police and attorneys
- Supervised by senior pathologist
- Specialized Rotations:
- St. Louis Metropolitan Crime Lab rotation
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory rotation
- Expert Consultations: access to subspecialty consults in pediatric and neuropathology through SLU, as well as forensic anthropology and odontology
- Collaborative Review: Attend monthly clinicopathology conferences with trauma surgery service and participate on the Child Fatality Review Panel.
- Teaching: Educate medical students.
- Coursework: Enroll in the Medicolegal Death Investigators Course.
- National Engagement: Attend a national meeting (NAME or AAFS)
- Legal Experience: Observe court proceedings throughout the training year.
Program Highlights
- Assistant medical examiner responsibilities
- High case volume
- Scene and legal mastery
- Multidisciplinary rotations
- Medicolegal training
Apply
Each year, the fellowship program offers one position, which begins July 1.
Applicants must complete an ACGME-accredited residency in anatomic pathology or combined clinical/anatomic pathology to meet Missouri state medical licensure requirements. The department sponsors J1 and H1B visas.
The program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Applications may be submitted via ERAS or by emailing Program Director Kanayo Tatsumi, M.D., at kanayo.tatsumi@slucare.ssmhealth.com.
Download the CAP Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships
Review the School of Medicine's GME ERAS and Match Roadmap
About the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Program
SSM Health proudly sponsors the Graduate Medical Education Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This university-based training program offers a world-class academic environment that fosters clinical excellence, research innovation and compassionate care. All program participants are employed by SSM Health, ensuring a cohesive and supportive experience within a nationally recognized health system.