Cytopathology Fellowship

The position for 2013 – 2014 has been filled and the next available is for 2014-2015)
Faculty Member In-Charge of Fellowship: Marilyn Bui, M.D, PhD.

Participating Cytopathology Faculty Members

• Marilyn Bui, M.D. (MCC)
• Santo V. Nicosia, M.D. (USF)
• Prudence Smith, M.D. (MCC)
• Ardeshir Hakam, M. D.  (MCC)
• Soner Altiok, M.D. (MCC)
• Barbara Centeno, M.D. (MCC)
• Nazeel Ahmad, M.D. (JAHVA)
• Marino Leon, M.D. (MCC)

Additional Faculty (Ancillary Techniques)

• Dahui Qin, M.D. (MCC)  (Urovysion)
• Lynn C. Moscinski, M.D. (MCC) (flow cytometry)

Cytotechnology Staff: 

• Nancy Mela, CT (ASCP) (MCC)
• Aaron Pacholke, CT (ASCP) (MCC)
• Jane Grieble, CT (ASCP) (MCC)
• Arthur Pollock, CT (ASCP) (MCC)

Duration of Fellowship: 12 months

Maximum Number of Fellows: 1

Prerequisite

• Anatomical Pathology/Clinical Pathology or Anatomical Pathology
• Board/Board Eligibility

Introduction

The Cytopathology Fellowship at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine emphasizes basic and advanced principles of exfoliative, aspiration cytology and intraoperative cytology as well as the application of ancillary techniques (immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular Pathology) to cytological specimens. The goal of the program is that of assisting the fellow in developing:

1. Advanced diagnostic skills in the work-up and interpretation of cytological specimens
2. Proficiency in the performance and interpretation of fine needle aspirations from palpable tumors
3. Educational and administrative skills in the area of cytopathology
4. Curiosity and basic research skills in clinical, translational, or basic cellular sciences, or any combination of these three

General Description of Facilities and Resources

The Cytopathology Fellowship is carried out for 10 months at the NCI-designated Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC). The fellow also rotates at either the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital (JAHVA) or the Bay Pines Veterans Administration Hospital (Bay Pines VA) for 2 months.  All three institutions are affiliated institutions of the University Of South Florida Morsani College Of Medicine. All laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathology and the Joint Commission for American Hospital Organization. In 2007, the cytopathology laboratory accessions for Moffitt Cancer Center were 2259 exfoliative gynecological specimens, 3304 exfoliative non-gynecological specimens, 1789 aspiration biopsy specimens (236 were performed by pathologists), 733 intraoperative cytology consultations and 703 consultative cytology specimens.  The volumes at the VA hospitals supplement the MCC volumes by providing more experience in PAP tests and non gynecological exfoliative cytology and expose the fellow to the cytology of nonneoplastic diseases. In addition to the variety of clinical cases, a vast array of institutional teaching sets of cytopathological specimens is available with correlative and relevant clinical history and, whenever applicable, ancillary technique data.

Goals and Objectives

By the end of training, the fellow should:

1. Be able to diagnose and interpret commonly encountered non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions in exfoliative and aspiration biopsy cytology specimens using established cytological, histological and ancillary studies criteria.
2. Develop a systemic approach to the evaluation of benign and malignant lesions from whole organ systems and refine skills interpretation.
3. Be able to clinically recognize superficial palpable lesions and procure representative cellular material by fine needle aspiration biopsy.
4. Be able to triage procured specimens for evaluation by ancillary studies whenever applicable.
5. Be able to execute intraoperative cytological evaluation of lumpectomy margins, needle localization and sentinel lymph node (including cytokeratin immunostaining) specimens.
6. Understand the importance of providing an accurate and timely report of exfoliative and aspiration biopsy cytology specimens according to CAP guidelines.
7. Understand issues of quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement as well as regulatory issues as they apply to cytopathology.
8. Become versatile in cytopreparatory techniques including preparation of smears, cytospins, cell blocks, ThinPrep, Diff-Quik, Papanicolaou, and intraoperative rapid immunocytokeratin staining.
9. Be able to interact with clinical and radiology colleagues during and after the obtainment of superficial and deep aspirates with particular regard to the evaluation of specimen adequacy and initial diagnosis.
10. Be able to interact with surgical Pathology and HematoPathology colleagues in the evaluation of difficult cases where definitive diagnosis may not be obtainable with either diagnostic technique alone.
11. Be able to concisely and clearly discuss cytopathological finding at multi-disciplinary clinical conferences.
12. Be able to critically select and evaluate immunocytochemical panels and to recognize the results of tests utilizing flow cytometry and molecular Pathology.
13. Be able to bring to completion a research protocol for presentation at a regional or national specialty meeting.
14. Attend all required conferences whenever possible.
15. Undergo evaluation by the fellowship faculty and provide evaluation of the faculty member and of the fellowship program.
16. Be prepared to be evaluated after the first month, first five to six months and at the end of the fellowship program through the Progressive Evaluation of Competency, an online formal evaluation mechanism provided through the American Society of Cytopathology.