Pathology Residency

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Anatomic Pathology Rotations

The core curriculum includes an integrated training rotation in surgical and autopsy pathology at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, followed by twelve rotations in surgical pathology; three in autopsy pathology; two, each, in dermatopathology and cytopathology/assisted FNA; and one, each, in forensic pathology and hematopathology.

In surgical pathology rotations, residents sign out all cases directly with staff pathologists. As their experience and expertise develop, residents gradually take over the responsibility of dictating their own cases. This independence simulates that which is encountered in one's own practice, while still providing the support and review vital for a pathologist-in-training.

Surgical pathology sign-out is according to subspecialty.  For two weeks at a time, a resident focuses on just one or two organ systems.  This allows for more effective learning through focused efforts and permits study always with an expert in each discipline.

Following a thorough training period at the surgical gross pathology bench, residents are assisted with some dissections by pathology assistants, who provide close supervision of bench activities. In their senior years, competent residents may elect an advanced surgical rotation in which they concentrate entirely on work-up and sign-out of diagnostic cases.

AP Core Curriculum

  Anatomic pathology training  

2 blocks

  Autopsy pathology   3 blocks
  Surgical pathology   12 blocks
  Cytopathology/Assisted FNA    2 blocks
Dermatopathology

2 blocks

Forensic pathology   1 block
  Hematopathology   1 block