Massachusetts General Hospital

Description

The Cytopathology Fellowship at MGH, a one-year, ACGME-approved program, provides advanced training in diagnostic cytopathology under the supervision of 11 staff cytopathologists.  The goal of the program is to train cytopathologists who will become leaders in the field.  Whether the candidate intends to practice in an academic setting or in a community based practice, the combination of clinical, teaching and research opportunities will prepare the trainee for any eventuality.

In 2008, the Cytopathology Laboratory handled more than 61,000 cases, of which approximately 14,000 were non-gynecologic and about 5,000 were fine needle aspirations, including 800 fine needle aspirations performed by the cytopathologists in the FNA clinic.

After an introductory period, the fellows are given gradually increasing responsibility in cytopathology with appropriate supervision, as well as the possibility of limited surgical pathology sign-out responsibility. Work-up of clinical cases is facilitated by a modern pathology information system that is integrated into the hospital information and electronic record systems. Cytopreparatory techniques are taught in a short laboratory rotation. Training also includes performance of superficial fine needle aspiration biopsies after instruction by the staff, rapid interpretation of deep needle aspirations performed by the radiologists, interpretation of ancillary tests including immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescence in-situ hybridization, electron microscopy and molecular techniques. Aspects of quality assurance and laboratory management are integrated throughout the year.

Teaching responsibilities that include individual resident teaching, lectures and journal club presentations are incorporated into the program. An emphasis is placed on refinement of communication and teaching skills whether dealing with pathology colleagues, clinicians, patients or families. Fellows are encouraged to design and complete a research project, either a clinicopathologic study or a project utilizing the extensive research resources of the department. Most often the work is presented at national pathology meetings.

Finally, fellows are encouraged to join and to actively participate in national cytopathology and pathology organizations so as to develop confidence in their ability to influence the current and future practice of their profession.

Requirements
Applicants must be Board-certified or eligible for certification in AP or AP/CP, and if a graduate of an international medical school, have a valid ECFMG certificate.  The candidate must also be eligible for employment in Massachusetts and obtain a Massachusetts medical license prior to starting the fellowship.

Applicants for fellowships in Cytopathology must   1) have completed residency training in Anatomic or in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology acceptable to the American Board of Pathology, and be eligible for  2) employment and 3) medical licensure in Massachusetts.

Graduates of an international medical school must have a valid ECFMG certificate and visa and a Massachusetts medical license prior to starting the fellowship.

Structure of the Cytopathology Fellowship

In order to develop diagnostic acumen, the fellow spends approximately half of the year on cytopathology signout. Although always under supervision, the fellow is the primary cytopathologist in charge of cytology cases along with the accompanying surgical pathology, either cellblocks or core biopsies, and is responsible for professional communication with clinicians, radiologists and cytotechnologists and for timely completion of signout.  The fellow will spend 4 weeks in the cytopathology division of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in order to be exposed to a varied case mix and to alternate methods in laboratory management and cytopreparatory techniques. The fellow will spend, under supervision, at least 4 weeks in one or more of the sub-specialized areas of surgical pathology signout at MGH.  As much as possible, the area will be chosen according to the desires of the fellow. Outside of the four weeks of vacation, the fellow will spend the remainder of the year working on projects.  Duty hours are 8 am to usually 6 pm, but no later than 9 pm, Monday to Friday.  There is no night or weekend call responsibility.

Faculty

• Rosemary H. Tambouret, MD, Program Director
• David C. Wilbur, MD
• Martha B. Pitman, MD
• Joseph Misdraji, MD
• William Faquin, MD, PhD
• John Eichhorn, MD
• Vikram Deshpande, MD
• Elena Brachtel, MD
• W. Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD
• Ronald Balassanian, MD

Applications
Applications should be submitted by December 1 (18 months prior to start date; Fellowships usually commence on July 1).

Individuals interested in applying for a fellowship position should send a completed CAP standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships, their Curriculum Vitae and a brief personal statement of interest and qualifications, USLME transcript, with letters from three references including their training program director or pathology supervisor to:

Fellowship Program Administrator
Pathology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street, Warren 219
Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2352

Phone: 617-643-4482
Fax: 617-643-4045
Email: MGHPathFellows@partners.org

Program Director
Rosemary H.Tambouret, MD

Updated 8/12/2011