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The hematopathology section (part of both anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine) offers one-year and two-year accredited fellowship with emphasis on diagnostic hematopathology and laboratory hematology. The program includes training in peripheral blood smears, body fluid cytopathology, bone marrow and lymph node morphology, coagulation, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnosis, and chromosomal and molecular diagnostics.

The large referral quaternary care and urban hospital system associated with Washington University in St. Louis provides a broad range of cases comprising >2700 marrows (cores and aspirates), >600 lymph nodes and other surgical specimens, and >1000 consult cases per year. These referral cases are largely generated by the Adult and Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant services that together perform more than 300 transplants annually. Due to the diversity of cases, the fellow will gain extensive diagnostic experience in the field of hematopathology, including uncommon disease entities, such as mature T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms and immunodeficiency associated lymphoproliferative disorders.

The fellow’s responsibilities are broad and at a level of training where an independent approach to case work-up is welcomed. The fellow is regarded as the initial pathologist on all cases and will write pathology reports integrating morphologic description and all ancillary studies (molecular, cytogenetic, and flow cytometric results). The fellow is seen as the primary contact for referring pathologists and will be working closely with the clinical hematology/oncology faculty, gaining insights into clinical management of patients. The fellow will be presenting weekly at both the lymphoma and leukemia conferences. Additionally, a weekly journal club aids in learning about new innovative developments in this rapidly changing field. The fellow will be expected to participate in small hematopathology-related translational projects, for which funding is provided. Furthermore, the Immunology Division, known for its cutting edge basic research, provides exciting research opportunities for trainees showing strong academic interests (see http://pathology.wustl.edu/immunology).

As a one-year accredited fellowship, this program provides a strong basis for clinical practice including challenging cases in both adult and pediatric hematopathology. A flexibly-scheduled second year of fellowship devoted to research is available to help develop an academic/research focus. Upon completion of the program the fellow has the necessary skills and experience to successfully enter either a community hospital practice or pursue an academic career. Applicants must be Board certified or eligible in anatomic and/or clinical pathology.