Residency Program Overview

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers 20 positions in an ACGME-accredited four-year combined anatomic and clinical pathology program. The curriculum provides concentrated experience in all aspects of pathology and laboratory medicine. Cedars-Sinai's staff of pathologists, representing all subspecialty areas, is committed to teaching residents and fostering increased confidence. With more than 50,000 surgical specimens, 315000 cytology samples and 5 million clinical laboratory tests performed and analyzed each year, residents benefit from an abundance of learning opportunities. Clinical consultation is an integral part of the practice of pathology, and residents at Cedars-Sinai learn the skills required of an active, valuable consultant. Additionally, residents are encouraged to participate in professional pathology societies.

The program is structured to prepare residents for academic or community practice careers. The curriculum encompasses 27 months of anatomic pathology, 18 months of clinical pathology and three months of unspecified elective time. The core rotations include:

• Autopsy
• Clinical Chemistry
• Cytopathology
• Forensic Pathology
• Integrated Hematopathology
• Microbiology
• HLA
• Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics
• Neuropathology
• Renal Pathology
• Surgical Pathology
• Transfusion Medicine

In anatomic pathology, residents begin on the autopsy service, which provides the study foundations of gross and histologic pathology. Fortnightly autopsy conferences and resident presentations enhance opportunities for learning. Surgical pathology is structured in two-week subspecialty blocks, allowing for concentrated study by organ system. Cedars-Sinai provides a wide variety of specimens, extensive frozen section experience and a large subspecialized and available faculty. Cytopathology includes Gyn, non-Gyn and FNA specimens.

Clinical pathology provides intensive experience in all areas, with concentrated time during the second year. The curriculum focuses on the role of the pathologist as a clinical consultant, with residents making rounds, examining patients, and performing procedures, such as bone marrow biopsies and therapeutic apheresis. Molecular pathology and cytogenetics are coordinated with Medical Genetics. Laboratory management and informatics are included in the core rotations. The faculty includes specialists in all areas of clinical pathology.

Former Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Chairman of
22 years, Stephen A. Geller, MD and pathology residents