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

The first year of fellowship training emphasizes skill development in diagnostic neuropathology, including:

• Electron microscopy
• Gross and light microscopic interpretations
• Immunohistochemistry
• Special stains and procedures utilization

As a fellow, you participate in brain cuttings, histopathologic reviews, didactic teaching sessions, and interdepartmental teaching conferences.

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 material at this conference. An extensive teaching file containing glass slides demonstrates the entire spectrum of neuropathological disease.

Fellowship research training

As a fellow, during the first year you will start a research project that becomes the focus in the second year of training.

Research opportunities are available in:

• Demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases
• Molecular biology
• Neurogenetics
• Neuroimmunology
• Neurovirology
• Tumor neuropathology

An adviser or mentor assists you in identifying and organizing a research project.

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.