Pathology and Cell Biology
Cytopathology
Cytopathology Fellowship
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:
- Advanced diagnostic skills in the work-up and interpretation of cytological specimens
- Proficiency in the performance and interpretation of fine needle aspirations from palpable tumors
- Educational and administrative skills in the area of cytopathology
- Curiosity and basic research skills in clinical, translational, or basic cellular sciences, or any combination of these three
Duration of Fellowship:
- 12 months
Maximum Number of Fellows:
- Two (2)
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.
Prerequisite
- Anatomical Pathology/Clinical Pathology or Anatomical Pathology
- Board/Board Eligibility
Fellowship Program Director
Sana Tabbara, MD
Participating Cytopathology Faculty Members
- Marilyn Bui, M.D. (MCC)
- Santo V. Nicosia, M.D. (USF)
- Ardeshir Hakam, M. D. (MCC)
- Barbara Centeno, M.D. (MCC)
- Nazeel Ahmad, M.D. (JAHVA)
- M. Katayoon Rezeai, MD (MCC)
- Evita Henderson-Jackson, MD (MCC)
- Reza Eshraghi, MD (MCC)
- Nini Khin, MD (MCC)
- Anne Lee Clarke, MD (MCC)
- Pushpa Allam-Nandyala, MD (Ameripath/Quest)
Additional Leadership
Ancillary Techniques
- Dahui Qin, M.D. (MCC) (Urovysion)
- Lynn C. Moscinski, M.D. (MCC) (Flow Cytometry)
Cytotechnology Staff:
- Aaron Pacholke, CT (ASCP) (MCC)
- Lauren Anthony, CT (ASCP) (MCC)
- Annie Jack, CT (ASCP) (MCC)
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to the Cytopathology fellowship program, please submit the following materials to the Program Administrator at Jamie.Harrington@Moffitt.org:
- Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships (download from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) website)
- Three letters of recommendation (one from current program director preferred)
- Updated CV
- USMLE scores
- Medical school transcripts
- Personal statement
Objectives
- 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.
- Develop a systemic approach to the evaluation of benign and malignant lesions from whole organ systems and refine skills interpretation.
- Be able to clinically recognize superficial palpable lesions and procure representative cellular material by fine needle aspiration biopsy.
- Be able to triage procured specimens for evaluation by ancillary studies whenever applicable.
- Be able to execute intraoperative cytological evaluation of lumpectomy margins, needle localization and sentinel lymph node (including cytokeratin immunostaining) specimens.
- Understand the importance of providing an accurate and timely report of exfoliative and aspiration biopsy cytology specimens according to CAP guidelines.
- Understand issues of quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement as well as regulatory issues as they apply to cytopathology.
- Become versatile in cytopreparatory techniques including preparation of smears, cytospins, cell blocks, ThinPrep, Diff-Quik, Papanicolaou, and intraoperative rapid immunocytokeratin staining.
- 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.
- 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.
- Be able to concisely and clearly discuss cytopathological finding at multi-disciplinary clinical conferences.
- Be able to critically select and evaluate immunocytochemical panels and to recognize the results of tests utilizing flow cytometry and molecular Pathology.
- Be able to bring to completion a research protocol for presentation at a regional or national specialty meeting.
- Attend all required conferences whenever possible.
- Undergo evaluation by the fellowship faculty and provide evaluation of the faculty member and of the fellowship program.
- 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.