Contact us
For more information, please contact our program administrator.
Welcome from our Program Director
Thank you for your interest in HCA FL Brandon Pathology Residency Program! At HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, we're excited to offer a well-rounded, hands-on residency experience that sets you up for success across the full spectrum of pathology. Whether you're passionate about surgical pathology, cytopathology, hematopathology, or lab management, you'll find the tools, cases, and mentorship here to help you grow into a confident, skilled pathologist. We're all about combining strong clinical training with a supportive, team-oriented environment—because we believe that's where real learning happens.
About our program
Our four-year combined Anatomic (AP) and Clinical Pathology (CP) residency gives you broad exposure to everything pathology has to offer. You'll dive into integrated surgical pathology and cytopathology while working within a network of 17 hospitals—giving you access to a wide variety of cases and learning opportunities.
We're proud of the depth and diversity of training we offer, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Here's what makes our program stand out:
Board-certified faculty with subspecialties in cytopathology, hematopathology, head & neck, dermatopathology, and nephropathology.
Clinical rotations at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, plus two additional community hospitals: HCA Florida Largo and Bayonet Point.
Exposure to referral cases from across the HCA system, offering a diverse and rich case mix.
External rotations at top-tier institutions like the Regional Medical Examiner's Office, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, and regional reference labs—where you'll encounter advanced molecular diagnostics and cutting-edge techniques.
Curriculum and rotation schedule
Our residency curriculum is designed to provide broad, hands-on training across both anatomic and clinical pathology.
Our Program Director and staff
Our team is comprised of skilled experts with deep experience and knowledge from which residents and fellows can benefit.
Christina Kovacs, MD
Program Director
Our core faculty
- Renu Khode, MD - Associate Program Director
- Shreyash Pandya, MD

Program details
Salary
Year | Salary | On-Call Meals | Total |
---|---|---|---|
PGY1 | $63,149 | $950 | $64,099 |
PGY2 | $65,354 | $950 | $66,304 |
PGY3 | $67,642 | $950 | $68,592 |
PGY4 | $71,032 | $950 | $71,982 |
Mission statement
The HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Pathology Residency Program’s mission is to develop the next generation of physicians and physician leaders.
As a part of HCA Healthcare, we are driven by a single mission: Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.
This program is designed to offer residents a rewarding, educational environment where residents are provided individualized learning opportunities by faculty and staff who support and sustain one another throughout quality care delivery. Our faculty are committed to ensuring the residents' clinical experience and educational needs are fulfilled while expanding residents' perspectives to be inclusive of cultures, values and ideals.
Program Aims
As a community hospital-based residency, our pathology program is committed to:
Delivering a comprehensive four-year training experience that cultivates well-rounded, compassionate, and ethically grounded pathologists with expertise in both anatomic and clinical pathology.
Offering diverse learning opportunities across a broad spectrum of sub-specialties, equipping residents with the medical knowledge and diagnostic skills essential for evaluating a wide range of specimens.
Fostering strong communication and collaboration skills, empowering residents to build meaningful professional relationships and work effectively across the healthcare continuum.
Encouraging leadership, advocacy, and scholarship, by engaging residents in community-focused scholarly activities that promote personal growth and professional development.
Promoting research and quality improvement initiatives, enabling residents to champion evidence-based care and contribute to the advancement of patient outcomes within our community.