The fellowship program builds on the internationally recognized leadership of the University of Iowa in the field of human genetics and a state of the art Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory to provide a unique training experience in all areas of molecular pathology. The Molecular Pathology Laboratory serves as the primary site for molecular testing of genetic, infectious and neoplastic diseases from University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics as well as for regional, national and international clients.
We have over 30 diagnostic tests utilizing various methods including qualitative/quantitative PCR and real-time PCR, DNA sequencing, traditional and capillary electrophoresis and Southern blotting. The MGP fellowship includes six months of hands-on training in the Molecular Pathology Laboratory with special emphasis on molecular genetics, infectious disease and oncology, respectively. Another three to four months are spent predominantly in the Genetics Division of the Department of Pediatrics. This block includes two months of general genetics and a month of cytogenetics training. The Cytogenetics Laboratory will provide exposure to traditional cytogenetics, FISH and Comparative Genomic Hybridization using microarray technology. During these rotations the fellow functions as a junior attending, with levels of responsibility and supervision appropriate for level of training and experience. The fellow is also exposed to administrative aspects of directing a modern molecular diagnostics laboratory.
The remaining two-three months are spent with independent test development in the Molecular Pathology Laboratory or on basic research projects in any one of numerous laboratories associated with the program. The fellows are encouraged to use this time to obtain preliminary data serving as the basis for applications for career development grants from federal and private agencies.
There are fellowships available in surgical pathology, cytopathology, hematopathology, microbiology, blood/bank transfusion medicine, and molecular pathology.
Fellows have 15 weekday vacation days a year. Professional leave for meetings is negotiated on an individual basis. Leave is granted for National Board exams and American Board of Pathology exams but not for board preparation courses. For job interviews or board preparation courses, each house staff member will be allowed five working days of leave. Additional days taken for job interviews or board preparation courses must use vacation.
Each fellow is given $1500/year for books/journals, meetings or memberships. Travel to national conferences is paid for by the department for fellows presenting abstracts.
The established reputation of excellence in training at the University of Iowa, combined with the recent trend of increasing demand and aging of current pathologists, has meant a tremendous opportunity for fellows from our program. All departing fellows in recent years have had no difficulty getting offers for desirable positions in both academic and private settings.
The Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Information specific to program requirements for a pathology training program may be found at the ACGME’s Pathology Residency Review Committee.
Numerous conferences are available. The required conferences are listed below.
Name of Conference |
Frequency |
|---|---|
| Chromosome Conference | Weekly |
| Clinical Pathology Morning Report | Weekly |
| Human Genetics Journal Club | Weekly |
| Infectious Disease Grand Rounds | Weekly |
| Medical Genetic Meeting | Weekly |
| Molecular Pathology Management Meeting | Weekly |
| Molecular Genetic Pathology Didactics | Weekly (May-June) |
| Pathology Grand Rounds | Weekly |
Start |
End |
Rotation |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Sept. 25 | Molecular Genetic Pathology – University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Pathology Department Rotations include molecular genetics, molecular infectious diseases, and molecular oncology. |
| Sept. 26 | Oct. 23 | Cytogenetics rotation – UI Stead Family Pediatrics Department |
| Oct. 24 | Dec. 18 | General Genetics and Cancer genetics – UI Stead Family Pediatric Department |
| Dec. 19 | June 30 | Molecular Genetic Pathology – UI Hospitals & Clinics Pathology Department Rotations include molecular genetics, molecular infectious diseases, and molecular oncology. |
Pathology has historically been defined by the intersection of laboratory science and clinical medicine. Each new advancement in science that has had an impact on diagnostic medicine has spawned a new area of "laboratory medicine", from the application of light microscopy to immunohistochemistry, from serology to flow cytometry, and molecular genetics. In order for a pathology department to lead, and not just follow, it must create and maintain "germinal centers" of those sciences related to human biology and pathobiology. This difficult and fragile process is called "research". It is the strength of our Pathology Department that this process has happened in the past. We are fully committed to its continuation.