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Program overview

Geisinger's Cytopathology Fellowship consists of 12 months of training under the direct supervision of four board-certified cytopathologists. 

Fellows participate in the daily activities of the cytopathology division, including reviewing cases to prepare them for sign-out with an attending cytopathologist. And to discuss the clinically relevant information, as well as any prior cases or concurrent patient materials. Fellows also oversee the completion and editing of final reports and incorporate evidence-based findings from the cytology literature. Fellows use our sophisticated laboratory information system, electronic medical record and other analytical databases that we use in daily operations of cytopathology.

You will also:

  • Perform all requested clinic fine needle aspirations (FNAs) on palpable masses in our FNA clinic, with the ability to use ultrasound imaging
  • Participate in rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for image-guided (CT and sonography) FNAs and small biopsies, which requires patient interaction and review of pertinent radiographs with the clinicians
  • Allocate material for necessary ancillary studies and gain skill and confidence in the appropriate use and interpretation of studies in: 
    • Flow cytometry
    • Immunocytochemistry
    • Molecular pathology 
  • Have access to extensive educational and study set materials 
  • Gain extensive experience with gynecologic cytology by reviewing thin-layer preparations and HPV testing
  • Rotate through the cytopreparatory area to master techniques for preparing cytology specimens.
  • Participate in our continuing quality improvement program, including cytology-surgical pathology correlation and CAP interlaboratory correlation
  • Present pathology cases at multidisciplinary clinical conferences
  • Participate in up to eight weeks of electives in topics including:
    • Flow cytometry
    • Molecular pathology
    • Research
    • Anatomic pathology subspecialties
    • Clinical pathology subspecialties
    • Informatics/laboratory management.
  • Be on call for the FNA service during clinic hours, but there is no required night or weekend call for cytopathology fellows

At the end of your training, you’ll be a skilled, compassionate cytopathologist who would be an asset to any health system with a range of skills in areas like:

  • Cytomorphology
  • Laboratory management
  • Informatics
  • Ancillary studies
  • Telecytology
  • ROSE
  • FNA technique

Plus everything required to practice independently.