Curriculum

Anatomic Pathology

Anatomic pathology includes training in surgical pathology, cytology and autopsy pathology. The department currently accessions approximately 36,000 surgical specimens, 38,000 pap tests, 3,000 non-GYN and over 2,500 fine needle aspirations per year.

In surgical pathology, the resident learns how to examine both fresh and fixed tissue specimens. After gaining proficiency in grossing techniques, the resident examines the specimens first and takes appropriate tissue for fixed and (when indicated) frozen sections. They are reviewed with the attending staff. After becoming familiar with basic microscopic patterns and diagnoses, the resident will dictate the final report, which will then be reviewed with the senior staff.

Cytology consists of a large number of gynecologic cases (pap smears) as well as non-gyn cases. An active FNA Clinic is located adjacent to the residents' office. The Cytology resident learns to perform, as well as interpret, FNA procedures of superficial masses. Aspiration procedures of the deep masses (lung, liver, pancreas, etc.) are performed by other specialists, and the resident learns how to interpret smears from these procedures.

Autopsies are done on a rotating basis. Trained assistants are available to assist in the prosection of these cases. After appropriate orientation, the resident is expected to perform the gross dissection, present the findings to the staff, and formulate appropriate clinical and pathologic correlations.

Additional rotations are required in areas of:

Other subspecialty rotations are available as electives.

Clinical Pathology

Clinical Pathology training includes several disciplines such as:

The main core laboratory in the Temple campus provides the Clinical Laboratory Services at Scott & White. Each one of our multiple regional clinics has an in-house CLIA-approved laboratory which handles phlebotomy services and a basic test menu, that varies slightly among the clinics and is tailored to service the needs of immediate patient care.

Our core laboratory in Temple handles well over 3 million tests and also is a reference laboratory that provides services for hospitals, clinics and physicians not directly associated with the Scott & White system. Our laboratory also supports active bone marrow and kidney transplantation services.

A Medical Laboratory Technician Program is also affiliated with our laboratory and students rotate with us for their clinical experience.

Residency training is structured in a two-step process. During the first six months of training, the resident rotates through all services and acquire an understanding of basic methodologies, test menus and service complexities. They learn the basic principles of quality control, quality assurance and the fundamental concepts required to act as a consultant. After completion of the first six months, residents will come back to the different areas for a period of two-month rotations to complete the required 18 months.

During the second rotation, the resident will act in a senior capacity as a consultant, along with the medical director, to solidify the learning of the discipline. Also, following the graduated responsibility concept, our laboratory management training includes the direct responsibility of managing, along with the appointed director, the affairs of one of our regional clinic laboratories and/or affiliated hospitals. The hands-on rotations and laboratory experiences are complemented by a series of regular weekly lectures/conferences (3-4 weeks) where basic curriculum subjects and current topics are discussed.

The residents also have the opportunity for elective time in any area of the laboratory, as well as the opportunity to arrange for a special (outside Scott & White) elective rotation.

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