Cytopathology Fellowship

This one-year ACGME-approved fellowship program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital provides extensive training in diagnostic cytopathology, under the supervision of five staff cytopathologists.

The goal of the program is to train fellows to become competent cytopathologists capable of practice in an academic institution or a private practice setting. The fellow will develop expertise in diagnostic cytopathology, including the interpretation of gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology, performance and interpretation of superficial fine needle aspiration, and rapid assessment of specimen adequacy (deep CT and ultrasound guided FNAs). The fellow will also learn the applications of ancillary studies such as flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, immunohistochemistry and image analysis on cytology specimens. After an introductory period where the fellow has an opportunity to examine a large collection of teaching glass slides (approximately 4,000 glass slides study sets on various cytology specimens with histologic correlation), the fellow is given gradually increasing responsibility in cytopathology with appropriate supervision. The fellow is responsible to prepare for daily sign-out all non-gynecologic and selected gynecologic specimens. These cases are previewed and researched for all clinically relevant information. The fellow performs superficial fine needle aspirations and evaluates specimens for adequacy in image guided FNAs from radiology, GI and pulmonary services.

The fellow also has the opportunity to spend time outside the cytopathology division to enhance their education.  Opportunities include time in our molecular laboratory for exposure to molecular pathology as it relates to cytopathology and time with experienced interventional radiologists for the performance of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations.

The fellow is expected to participate in research projects, present at national meetings, and complete one to two manuscripts for peer review publication.

Our department follows the American Society of Cytopathology unified timeline for fellowship applicants.  Therefore, applications will be reviewed starting Monday, August 1st and offers for fellowship will be made starting Monday, October 3rd.

The Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is a 957-bed acute care facility, with a full range of clinical specialties. We process approximately 4,500 gynecology cases and 7,000 non-gynecology cases yearly, with 2,500 fine needle aspirations. Fellows personally perform over 250 fine needle aspirations a year. Ample materials are received from Jefferson University Hospital, various surrounding outpatient clinics, and physician offices in the greater Philadelphia area.

Support is commensurate with the candidate's (PGY) level of training.