OVERVIEW

 During the first 2 years of training, 6 months (three 2 month blocks) are spent in surgical pathology at Parkland Hospital. These rotations provide exposure to the entire breadth of surgical pathology, including neuropathology. The resident is the liaison with the operating surgeon. Responsibilities include the performance and preliminary interpretation of frozen sections under the supervision of attending faculty. Residents are taught the proper techniques of gross dissection and are responsible for microscopic evaluation of the tissues on which they have performed a gross examination. Microscopic sign-out with the staff occurs only after the resident has examined the tissue sections and formed a preliminary opinion. The resident is the principal interface with the clinician regarding this material. The use of immunohistochemistry and ancillary molecular studies are integral to this experience. Placentas are reviewed with the Pediatric Pathology staff. During the third or fourth year each resident spends 2 months on the special organ pathology rotation at Parkland. Responsibilities include all  medical renal, hepatic, dermatologic and ophthalmic specimens received by the surgical pathology service. The cases are signed out with faculty who have special expertise in these subspecialty areas. Extensive advanced surgical pathology experience with graduated responsibility is also part of senior rotations at the VA Medical Center, Zale-Lipshy University Hospital and Children’s Medical Center.

FACULTY:

• Kyle Molberg, M.D.
• Raheela Ashfaq, M.D.
• Kelley Carrick, M.D.
• Dominick Cavuoti, D.O.
• Gene Ewing, M.D.
• S. Tunc Gokaslan, M.D.
• Wareef Kabbani, M.D.
• Sara Milchgrub, M.D.
• Yan Peng, M.D., Ph.D.
• Tom Rogers, M.D,
• Joseph L. Sailors, M.D.
• Venetia R. Sarode, M.D.

DURATION: 

Level I: 2 months at Parkland Hospital

Level II: 2 months at University Hospital Zale Lipshey Building, 2 months on special organ Pathology, and 4 months at Parkland Hospital.

PREREQUISITES:

None. However, senior residents (second and third rotations, Level II) will be expected to show more proficiency in diagnostic activities than residents on first rotations (Level I).  Additionally, senior residents will be expected to assist with training of Level I residents.

OBJECTIVES

Patient Care

Medical Knowledge

Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Professionalism

Systems-based Learning

CONFERENCES

• Consultant’s conference
• Gross Conference
• Anatomic Pathology Conference

BASIC READING

• Ackerman’s Surgical Pathology text (entire text should be read during the first two years of the residency).
• Appendix H in Ackerman’s Surgical Pathology text.
• AJCC Cancer Staging Manual
• Orientation materials (review objectives, rotations, and responsibilities).