Core Curriculum

Anatomic Pathology Division

The Division of Surgical Pathology accessions 11,000 tissue specimens yearly, from a full spectrum of patient demographics and clinical diagnoses. About 250 specimens are evaluated every year in our Diagnostic Electron Microscopy Laboratory. The Cytology Laboratory handles in excess of 9000 specimens per year of which there are 1,000 fine needle aspiration cytology specimens. The majority of the latter are performed by Pathology residents. Bone marrow aspirations range from 350-400 a year, many of these utilize flow cytometry evaluation. Six full time faculty handle all case work and supervise teaching in their specialty areas of GI, dermatology and soft tissue, GYN, neuropathology, pulmonary, breast and GU/endocrine. In hospital autopsy experience and forensic pathology training are augmented by a required rotation at the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office.

Clinical Pathology Division

There are three dedicated Ph.D and three M.D. faculty members. In the Clinical Pathology Division, the number of analytical procedures is well in excess of 4,000,000 per year. The clinical laboratory features automated chemistry and hematology analysis with direct computer reporting via the hospital information computer system which also provides other clinical laboratory and surgical pathology reports to the hospital wards and clinics. Residents also receive training in laboratory management and quality assurance while participating in the three month Chemistry rotation. Hematology training totals 6 months of rotation on this service. The hematology lab includes a flow cytometry station. The Harbor-UCLA Transfusion Medicine section operates a full-service blood bank including donor center and plasmapheresis on site. The Microbiology section handles 100,000 specimens each year, providing culture, microscopic and sensitivity results on all types of specimens. Residents analyze unknown specimens as well as attend lectures and infectious disease rounds during a three month rotation.

Anatomic & Clinical Pathology (48 months)

AP Rotations (months)

  • 12-13 x Surgical Pathology
  • 4 x Cytopathology
  • 4 x Autopsy
  • 2-3 x Frozen Sections
  • 1 x Junior Attending
  • 1 x Gyn cyto (away at UCLA)
  • 1 x Medical Examiner’s office (away)
  • 1 x Neuropathology

CP Rotations

  • 5 x Hematology
  • 4 x Blood Bank
  • 3 x Microbiology
  • 3 x Chemistry
  • 1 x Molecular/Cytogenetics (away at UCLA)
  • 1 x Lab Management
  • 1 x CP Flex
  • 3 x Electives

Anatomic Pathology (36 months)

  • 14 x Surgical Pathology
  • 6 x Autopsy
  • 4 x Cytopathology
  • 3 x Hematology
  • 2 x Frozen sections
  • 1 x Junior Attending
  • 1 x Coroner’s (away)
  • 1 x Neuropathology
  • 1 x Molecular/Cytogenetics
  • 3 x Electives