The Cytopathology Fellowship is an ACGME accredited program designed to train academically-oriented cytopathologists as well as community-based cytopathologists. Two positions are offered. Fellowships include both clinical and research training. Clinical training includes signing out gyn cytology (about 15,000 a year), and non-gyn specimens (about 8,000 per year). An active pathology based FNAB clinic is present where fellows learn how to perform and interpret FNABs. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry are routinely utilized on clinical specimens.

Fellowship Experience Frequently asked questions

Fellowship experience

Teaching conferences

Numerous conferences are available. Attendance is expected for all cytopathology conferences and expected as time allows for the others.

Monday

  • Surgical Pathology Gross Conference, 7:30 A.M. Weekly
  • Endocrine/Pathology Conference, 5:00 P.M. Monthly 

Tuesday

  • Surgical Pathology Micro Conference, 8:00 A.M. Weekly

Thursday

  • Cytopathology Didactic Conference, 7:30 A.M. Bi-weekly
  • Cytopathology Journal Club, 7:30 A.M. Bi- monthly
  • Pathology Grand Rounds, Weekly, Noon

Friday

  • GI Liver Biopsy Conference, 8:00 A.M. Weekly
  • Cytopath/Cytotechnologists Scope Conference, 9:30 A.M. Weekly

Schedule/Rotations

The cytopathology fellowship includes 52 weeks of training in cytopathology with active involvement in a hospital based fine needle aspiration (FNA) service including a pathology based FNA clinic and an onsite adequacy assessment service with pathologists attending FNA’s performed under radiologic imaging or endoscopic guidance. Fellows are actively involved in all aspects of cytopathology signout along with cytopathology faculty including a full spectrum of gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology specimens.

Electives

Although there are no established elective rotations, it is possible to arrange electives in areas of particular interest to individual fellows which have applicability to the practice of cytopathology. Areas which might be considered for elective could include flow cytometry, molecular pathology, cytogenetics, and subspecialty areas of surgical pathology. Development of a elective would include input from the fellow, program director and elective faculty to ensure the elective meets the needs of the fellow, is applicable to cytopathology practice and has clear, achievable goals and objectives.

Research/Investigators

Pathology has historically been defined by the intersection of laboratory science and clinical medicine. Each new advancement in science that has had an impact on diagnostic medicine has spawned a new area of "laboratory medicine", from the application of light microscopy to immunohistochemistry, from serology to flow cytometry, and molecular genetics. In order for a pathology department to lead, and not just follow, it must create and maintain "germinal centers" of those sciences related to human biology and pathobiology. This difficult and fragile process is called "research". It is the strength of our Pathology Department that this process has happened in the past. We are fully committed to its continuation.

Pathology Research Investigators

Accreditation

The Cytopathology Fellowship at UI Health Care is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Information specific to program requirements for a pathology training program may be found at the ACGME’s Pathology Residency Review Committee.