UPMC Medical Education Program

The Hematopathology Clinical Fellowship Program at UPMC Presbyterian offers a comprehensive experience in both clinical and anatomic hematopathology, fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

This program emphasizes a multiparameter approach to diagnosing hematological disorders, integrating standard morphologic techniques with advanced methodologies such as immunohistology, molecular genetics, flow cytometry, and cytogenetics. Training begins with the review of peripheral blood smears and bone marrow aspirates, progressing to diagnostics across various hematopathological disciplines.

Curriculum and Rotations

Fellows are exposed to an array of rotations, which include:

• Lymph node sign-out
• Adult bone marrow sign-out
• Flow cytometry
• Molecular and genomic pathology
• Cytogenetics
• Pediatric hematopathology
• General and special laboratory hematology
• Coagulation and immunohistochemistry

Management training is integrated throughout the program, especially during laboratory-based rotations. The fellowship also involves on-call responsibilities after initial training, further enhancing hands-on experience.

Fellows actively participate in hematopathology teaching conferences and are encouraged to mentor medical students, pathology residents, and hematology/oncology fellows. Research is a key aspect, as each fellow undertakes at least one investigational project, often with opportunities to present findings at national meetings.

Educational Conferences

Regular conferences form a significant part of the educational experience, including:

• Weekly Hematopathology Case Conference
• Bi-weekly Journal Club
• Patient Safety and Risk Management Conference
• Monthly Molecular Hematopathology Conference
• Bimonthly Adult Hematologic Malignancy Conference

Fellows benefit from the department's informatics resources, such as electronic medical records and image archiving capabilities, ensuring they are well-equipped for modern practice.

Unique Features of the Program

The fellowship environment at UPMC provides fellows with a robust learning atmosphere supported by innovative clinical practices, research activities, and multidisciplinary collaborations with hematologists and oncologists.

Visa Sponsorship and Application Requirements

The program sponsors various visa types, including J-1 visas, allowing international medical graduates to train in the U.S. The fellowship is competitive; applicants are generally expected to be board-eligible or certified in Anatomic Pathology and must provide documentation of U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores. Graduates of medical schools outside the U.S. must present a valid ECFMG certificate among other application materials.

Additionally, the program maintains specific standards regarding potential applicants who may have previously failed STEP exams, confirming that no more than one failure is acceptable.

Fellow Responsibilities and Training Sites

Fellow responsibilities encompass clinical diagnostics, educational engagement, research activities, and participation in departmental governance functions. The program’s base at UPMC ensures exposure to a high-volume and diverse array of hematopathological cases, optimizing hands-on learning.

Competitiveness and Inclusivity

The Hematopathology Clinical Fellowship Program is regarded as highly competitive, attracting top candidates from various backgrounds, including U.S. graduates and international medical graduates. The fellowship is open to all qualified applicants, emphasizing an inclusive approach to diverse candidates.