Two tracks are available for training in neuropathology:

• Neuropathology Fellowship
• Combined Anatomic Pathology Residency and Neuropathology Fellowship

Residency training

Refer to the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency curriculum for additional information regarding the combined Anatomic Pathology Residency and Neuropathology Fellowship track.

Fellowship clinical training

As a fellow, you participate in brain cutting sessions, histopathologic case reviews, didactic teaching sessions, and a spectrum of teaching conferences.  Our fellowship training emphasizes graduated skill development in diagnostic neuropathology, including:

• Gross and light microscopic interpretations
• Immunohistochemistry and special stains
• Molecular/ genetic testing and integration
• Electron microscopy, as applicable
• Clinical and radiological correlation and integration

Fellowship didactic training

There is an integrated didactic core lecture series attended by all residents and fellows that covers a range of topics in anatomic and clinical pathology.  There are weekly education conferences in neuropathology, and periodically you are expected to present cases at these.  Extensive teaching files containing glass and digital slides demonstrating the spectrum of neuropathological diseases are also available for review and discussion.

Fellowship research training

Fellows are encouraged to participate in research through the length of the program, in order to develop their academic profile and skills.  Research opportunities are available in:

• Tumor neuropathology
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Demyelinating diseases and neuroimmunology
• Molecular neuropathology
• Infectious disease neuropathology

Fellows typically also identify a broader research project in their first year, which forms their primary focus during their second year.  A faculty mentor with expertise in your area of interest will assist you in identifying and organizing your research project(s).

Evaluation

You are evaluated at the completion of each rotation, which may range in length from four to 12 weeks. Evaluations assess competence in patient care, medical knowledge, professionalism, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement, and interpersonal and communication skills.

The program director meets with you a minimum of two times a year to review your evaluations and discuss professional growth. In addition, allied health staff and residents are asked to evaluate your  performance periodically.

Fellows are able to view their evaluations electronically. Final written summative evaluations are completed for each fellow upon completion of the program.