Cytopathology Fellowship
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024–25 academic year (two positions)
and for the 2025-2026 academic year (two positions)
Program Description
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UNC Health offers a one-year training program in cytopathology. The program is fully accredited by the ACGME and is approved for two fellows per year. The fellowship consists of nine months on the cytopathology service, one month on consults and conferences, and two months of elective time. The Cytopathology Laboratory accessions over 17,000 cytology specimens per year, of which approximately 7,000 are non-gynecologic specimens and, of these, approximately 1700 are fine needle aspirations. Fine needle aspirations of palpable lesions (other than thyroid) are performed by the residents or fellows and rapid onsite evaluations of image-guided fine needle aspirations are performed by the fellows or cytotechnologists. In addition, the fellows’ responsibilities include previewing and writing up cytology cases, assigning a subset of cases to the resident(s) on service, participation in cytopathology sign-out, and participation in teaching and conferences in cytopathology with residents and staff. Fellows are expected to pursue a quality improvement project during the year and are encouraged to participate in a research project. On the consults and conferences service, the fellow previews previous outside pathology cases from patients who are coming to UNC for evaluation. Five tumor boards per week are covered by the fellow while on this service. Elective time may include a rotation on surgical pathology benches, work on a QI or research project, or other approved endeavors.
Program Requirements
Applicants must possess an M.D. or D.O. degree, have at least two years of accredited residency training in anatomic pathology, and be eligible for medical licensure in North Carolina. Preference is given to those applicants who have completed an AP or AP/CP residency.
Stipends
Fellowship stipends are commensurate with post-graduate year of training.
Program Director
Jan F. Silverman, MD, Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Cytopathology Faculty Members and areas of sub-specialization
- Leslie G. Dodd, MD — Director of Cytopathology; bone and soft tissue pathology and gynecologic pathology
- Johann D. Hertel, MD — Breast and gastrointestinal pathology
- Siobhan M. O’Connor, MD — Breast and gynecologic pathology
- Lori R. Scanga, MD, PhD — Gynecologic pathology
- Jan F. Silverman, MD — Gastrointestinal pathology
- Sara E. Wobker, MD, MPH — Urologic pathology
- Lee-Ching Zhu, MD — GI/Liver pathology
Applications for 2024–25 and 2025-2026
The UNC Graduate Medical Education Application, three current letters of recommendation (one of which must be from your Program Director), final medical school transcript, personal statement and ECFMG certification should be submitted. Please send your completed application packet to the Cytopathology Fellowship Program Coordinator, Michelle Hewlings at the email address below.
For additional information, please contact…
Michelle Hewlings
Cytopathology Fellowship Program Coordinator
E-mail: michelle_hewlings@med.unc.edu
Phone: 984-974-1476
Fax: 984-974-9177