Daily resident teaching conferences occur each morning.
The spectrum of topics covered in these teaching conferences are as diverse as the field of pathology. Attendance is required at these conferences.
Monday and Tuesday: Surgical Pathology Conference Series. There is a two year rotating surgical pathology curriculum which incorporates didactics and microscopic unknowns sessions. For unknowns the resident describes the tissue including normal and any abnormal features, gives a differential diagnosis of the disease process, and suggests any ancillary studies that may be useful if the diagnosis is unclear. Gross and microscopic pathology are included in this series. Once a month, instead of the usual gross conference, the residents on the autopsy rotation will present and review interesting cases from the previous weeks. The autopsy conference is resident-driven with oversight from our dedicated autopsy staff members.
Wednesday: Clinical Pathology Didactic Conference. Responsibility for this conference rotates from one clinical pathology service to another throughout the year (Transfusion Medicine, Chemistry, Hemepath, Immuno, Microbiology, Molecular Pathology, and Informatics). For example, seven didactic sessions of Hemepath are followed by seven sessions of Microbiology, etc. Topics are widely variable, and include classification of leukemias and lymphomas, flow cytometry, coagulation testing, mycobacteria, endocrine testing, platelet usage, laboratory information systems etc.
Thursday: Anatomic Pathology Specialty Conference. Usually this conference is a didactic, but occasionally unknown cases are put out similar to the surgical pathology unknown conference on Tuesday. Neuropathology, cytopathology, and dermatopathology are areas typically covered.
Friday: Clinical Pathology Morning Report. Residents from each of the clinical pathology services present cases via PowerPoint format to the other residents and staff, with a short discussion. Usually each presentation lasts 10 minutes. These are typically informal presentations and do not require the resident to spend an inordinate amount of time in preparation. Interesting components of the cases and presentations are discussed among the group of residents, staff, and faculty. The benefit of having the opportunity to hone presentation skills throughout residency training is invaluable.
Other Conferences:
Attendance is suggested, but not required:
Pathology Grand Rounds (Thursdays at noon): Similar to grand rounds in other specialties, a staff member, senior resident, fellow, or visiting faculty from another institution gives a didactic presentation. Lunch is usually provided.
Hemepath/Transfusion Medicine conference (Mondays): This is a thirty-minute didactic conference given by residents, fellows or staff. Presentations consist of an in-depth look at a particular topic/or a series of interesting cases.
Residents as Professionals: This is an hour long session held one Monday a month at noon. The topics discussed are varied, including: Business management, human resources, research techniques, time management, etc.
Chairman Rounds: Held on the first Wednesday of every month at noon, Dr. Karandikar reviews special topics and interesting cases in flow cytometry.
Gastrointestinal (GI) pathology conference (Fridays): GI faculty present recent cases to gastroenterology clinical staff and give a short didactic regarding the pathologic features of the case. This conference provides a lively and informal experience in interdepartmental communication.
In addition to these, there are several other learning opportunities specific to each rotation, including, blood club, core lab meetings and hematopathology unknown conferences.