The one-year Cytopathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, provides the best setting for you to develop expertise in the performance and interpretation of fine needle aspiration biopsies; interpretation of gynecologic and nongynecologic exfoliative cytology; and application of ancillary techniques such as flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, and immunocytochemistry.

Unique program opportunities include:

• An emphasis on reviewing and diagnosing clinical cytology specimens and interacting with the clinicians and radiologists involved in the patient care
• 103,000+ total volume at our trainees' fingertips with an assortment of classic and unusual cases
• A wide variety of specimens including gynecologic (cervix, uterus, vagina), thyroid, urine, pulmonary, body fluids, lymph node, biliary tract, liver, bone, and soft tissues, among other sites
• Performance of superficial fine needle aspirations and on-site assessment of superficial and image-guided deep aspirates
  • Training in the techniques of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for thyroid FNA is given under the guidance of endocrinologists
• Increasing responsibility in cytopathology sign-out as you acquire experience
• Research opportunities in clinical-pathological correlation, translational research, and applied molecular and digital pathology
  • Most fellows are involved in at least one research project during their fellowship year which has resulted in publications and presentations at national meetings
• Training in molecular cytopathology includes fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for urine, biliary, and bronchial brushings; and digital image analysis (DIA)
• Training in the techniques of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for thyroid FNAs is given under the guidance of endocrinologists

Accreditation

The Cytopathology Fellowship is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Certification

After successfully completing the fellowship, graduates are prepared and qualified to take the American Board of Pathology examination in cytopathology if they are certified in anatomic pathology or combined anatomic and clinical pathology. The Cytopathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota has a 100% board pass rate.

Program history

The Cytopathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic began in 2009. Since that time, multiple physicians have completed training. It is anticipated that one fellow will complete this program annually.