Ophthalmic Pathology Fellowship

Overview

The David G. Cogan Eye Pathology Laboratory offers a one- or two-year fellowship for ophthalmologists or pathologists, typically those who are preparing for academic careers. The combined didactics, specimens, consultations, and laboratory resources of Mass Eye and Ear and Mass General Hospital are available to trainees.

Objectives of the program include:

• Understand the microscopic anatomy of the eye and the ocular adnexa.
• Learn the histologic features of neoplasia and the responses of ocular tissues to injury and/or diseases.
• Develop skills necessary to evaluate surgical specimens with the aim of formulating differential diagnoses that include ophthalmic diseases that are common in a modern clinical practice, or that are rare, but especially important because of their life-threatening or vision-threatening potential.
• Understand the role and appropriate application of ancillary studies including immunohistochemistry, molecular genetic studies (FISH, next generation-sequencing based assays), electron microscopy and others in arriving at specific diagnoses.
• Learn the principles of gross examination, particularly as these apply to globe (enucleation) and orbital exenteration specimens.
• Develop research projects in the laboratory and/or based on clinicopathologic material available through the David G. Cogan Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, MGH Pathology Department, and community-based clinical practices affiliated with Mass Eye and Ear and its full-time hospital-based staff.

AUPO-Certified

This fellowship is certified by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee (AUPO FCC).

Requirements

The fellow works under the attending pathologist’s supervision during daily slide-read-out responsibilities and ultimately reports to the Director of the Cogan Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory.

Responsibilities include:

• Preview cases and participate in daily slide read-out sessions in the David G. Cogan Laboratory of Ophthalmic Pathology.
• Participate in Grand Rounds (Mass Eye and Ear ophthalmology, Mass General pathology), the Fellows’ Course, and other didactic learning sessions.
• Participate in monthly tutorials, Pathology Rounds, Grand Rounds, the Fellows’ Course, and Pathology Lecture Series.
• Supervise and teach residents, other clinical fellows, and medical students rotating in the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory.
• Attend and present research at regional and national meetings.
• Help prepare presentations for attending pathologists, residents, and fellows.
• Gross large eye cases (enucleations, exenterations), with instruction as needed from the attending pathologists.

During weekdays, the fellow will supervise a resident who evaluates the 10-15 eye pathology cases each day. The fellow collaborates in the generation of microscopic descriptions and tentative diagnoses. After the fellow and resident have interpreted the set of cases, all slides will be reviewed by an attending pathologist and the fellow’s and resident’s diagnosis will either be confirmed or revised according to the attending’s recommendation.

After this one-on-one review and discussion of each case, a preliminary diagnosis is reported to the surgeon by telephone, and the final results will be entered into the MGH CoPathPlus reporting system. Cases of exceptional diagnostic difficulty, or of special educational value, will be additionally reviewed with appropriate subspecialty pathologists at Massachusetts General Hospital when requested by the attending eye pathologist, the surgeon, the resident, or the fellow. The fellow will oversee this activity and order and collate any special stains to finalize the diagnosis

The Director of the David G. Cogan Laboratory of Ophthalmic Pathology will provide monthly progress reviews, as well as written evaluations twice a year.

How to Apply

Eligibility

All applicants must be eligible for a full medical license per the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced prior training in ophthalmology or pathology (completion of ophthalmology or anatomic pathology residency)
• Academic career objectives
• An institutional position as an eye pathologist available in advance is preferred
• Letters of recommendation
• Interest in research and/or prior research publications in the areas of ophthalmology and/or pathology

Highlights

Fellowship Director: Anna M. Stagner, MD

Additional Faculty: Thaddeus P. Dryja, MD and Natalie Wolkow, MD, PhD

Program length: 1-2 years (beginning in July)

Number of positions: 1-2

Questions?

Contact : Cheryl Pratt at 617-573-3319

Fellowship and Faculty Contacts

Fellowship Director:  Anna M. Stagner, MD

Additional Faculty:  Thaddeus P. Dryja, MD and  Natalie Wolkow, MD, PhD