This fellowship takes place from July 1 – June 30. During the month of July, fellows perform FNA's and interpret adequacy checks of needle biopsies under the direct supervision of the cytopathology faculty. Once they have successfully completed 20 FNA's biopsies, they can begin to function independently. The cytopathology faculty also gives a series of introductory didactic lectures covering a variety of topics to educate the incoming fellows and pathology residents.
Trainees cover the FNA service at our clinic, as well as providing adequacy checks for deep FNA biopsies performed by other services, such as radiology, GI, and pulmonary. Trainees review gynecological and non-gynecological cases prior to sign-out with the attending faculty member, including the incorporation of immunohistochemistry, special stains, and flow cytometry data if needed.
The fellows also take a proficiency exam three times a year to monitor their training and fund of knowledge. The results of these tests are discussed with the fellows during their evaluation (midpoint and end of training).
Rotations
Fellows rotate 6-7 months at Ben Taub Hospital, 3-4 months at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and 1-2 months at CHI-St. Luke’s.
The fellows are not on call on weekends and there are no after-hours calls during the weekdays.
Didactic Curriculum
Fellows attend the annual state pathology meeting. The pathology department will also pay for their attendance national pathology meetings if they projects are accepted for presentation.
Research
Fellows work with cytopathology faculty on various clinically-oriented projects for presentation at state/national meetings and subsequent publication.
