Cytopathology Fellowship

Overview

This fellowship provides one full year of advanced training in diagnostic cytology and the performance of fine needle aspiration (FNA) in an FNA clinic. The MGB Cytopathology Fellowship programs will provide fellows with an expanded mix of cases and variety of educational opportunities. Time during each academic year will be divided equally between BWH and MGH, with a combined didactic calendar and participation in multidisciplinary conferences at both institutions.

The BWH and MGH cytology services evaluate approximately 32,000 and 23,000 gynecologic and 13,000 and 16,500 non-gynecologic specimens, respectively. The latter include pathologist-performed FNAs, pathology review for patients treated at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, and pathologist personal consults. Each institution has a pathologist operated FNA clinic that offers experience with a variety of patients and aspiration techniques.

Requirements

Preference will be given to candidates who are Board certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology or anatomic and clinical pathology and who have demonstrated an interest in pursuing an academic career in cytopathology. Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license.

Curriculum

Fellows will assume the review and work-up of clinical cases, performance of FNAs, and assist with rapid on-site evaluations (ROSE) of needle aspirations performed by radiologists, pulmonologists, and gastroenterologists. Experience with screening slides and cytopreparatory techniques are incorporated into the curriculum. Responsibility will increase gradually throughout the year with the goal of training skilled cytopathologists who excel in any practice setting. After an introductory period, fellows will participate in supervised sign out, consisting of one-on-one sign out with rotating Anatomic Pathology Residents, independent work-up of cases, and review of challenging cases with the attending pathologist. Fellows will also perform a proportion of ROSE and FNAs independently.

Formal teaching of pathology residents and participation in departmental and multidisciplinary conferences is required. A monthly joint journal club hosted by BWH, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and MGH allows for review and discussion of current topics in the cytopathology literature. Opportunities to teach medical students attending Harvard Medical School in courses are also available.

Research Experience

Fellows are encouraged to design and complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty member; presentation of these projects at national pathology conferences is also encouraged. Departmental resources include the immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostic labs, among others in the Harvard research community.

How to Apply

Fellowship application form, additional application materials, and inquires should be submitted by email to: MGBPathologyfellowships@mgb.org

We recruit two years out and will begin accepting applications in April for the corresponding academic year. There is no deadline to apply; we will continue accepting applications until we fill all positions. In the summer, information on interviews will be given to selected applicants following review of a complete application.

Application Materials

• CAP Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application
• Curriculum Vitae (must be in month/year format 00/0000)
• Personal Statement describing career goals and surgical pathology interests
• USMLE Steps 1, 2, & 3 Score Report- (Canadian physicians and Doctors of Osteopathy who are eligible for licensure may substitute documentation of successful completion of LMCC/MCCQE and COMLEX examinations, respectively, in lieu of USMLE examinations)
• Passport-style photo
• Three Letters of Recommendation (one letter must be from your current program director or department chair)
• Letters of Recommendation should be emailed by the letter writer to: MGBPathologyfellowships@mgb.org
• Copy of MD Degree (International medical graduates only)
• Copy of ECFMG Certificate (International medical graduate only)

Fellowship and Faculty Contacts

Mingjuan L. Zhang, MD
Fellowship Program Director, BWH

Lisa Zhang, MD
Associate Program Director, MGH

Ivan Chebib, MD
Director, Cytopathology Laboratory and Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Service, MGH

Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD
Director, Cytopathology Laboratory and Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Service, BWH