Kristen M. Thomas, MD
Course Code: 1204
Tel: 212 263-0713
Email: Kristen.Thomas@nyulangone.org

Prerequisites: None

Description

The Department of Pathology offers electives of two weeks or longer in Anatomic Pathology at Tisch, Bellevue and the New York VA Hospitals. The majority of the time will be spent on the surgical pathology service where the student will be exposed to a large variety of diagnostic surgical and medical specimens. The student will work closely with the resident and attending physicians in the gross examination and sectioning of specimens, in performing frozen sections, and in microscopic sign out. There are numerous didactic conferences in which the student will participate. In addition to general surgical pathology, the student will be introduced to autopsy pathology.

To accommodate students with particular interests, part of the time may be spent in one of the subspecialty areas, including obstetrical/gynecological pathology, cytopathology, hematopathology, neuropathology, breast pathology, uropathology, GI pathology and ENT pathology.

Objectives of the Elective

This elective provides an experience in Anatomic Pathology, which expands upon that of the second year course in pathology. The student has the opportunity to see how the "book knowledge" of pathology is applied to the practice of diagnostic pathology and its key role in clinical decision-making. The bulk of the elective is spent in surgical pathology, where the student will learn how to approach specimen evaluation on both the gross and microscopic level, taking into account clinical history, disease mechanisms, and the implications of diagnoses for patient management. A portion of the elective may be spent in a subspecialty area such as obstetrical/gynecological pathology, cytopathology, hematopathology, neuropathology, breast pathology, uropathology, GI pathology and ENT pathology.

Key Responsibilities of the student while on Elective

1. The student will work closely with both residents and attending pathologists.
2. The elective is designed to give the student "hands-on" experience. The student will be given increasing responsibility for the sectioning and microscopic evaluation of surgical and medical specimens representing a wide spectrum of disease processes.
3. Students will also participate in one to several autopsies.

Didactic Program

A slide set of interesting/instructive cases is provided for the student. These will be reviewed with the preceptor. There are also regularly scheduled conferences in surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, and subspecialty areas. Grand Rounds are held weekly. Students may be involved in the preparation of cases at conferences. 

Method of Evaluation

Students are evaluated on the basis of their performance and participation in the above-outlined areas. Elective credit will be given for only those dates attended. A formal examination is given at the beginning of the rotation and end of the rotation.

Scheduling Information

Months Offered: All Year except Jul & Aug
Report To: Dr. Thomas’s Office, Tisch Room 375 (near Clinical Microbiology) at 9:00am
Students Per Period: 2 students in July and August and 4 students in September-June.
Duration: 2 or 4 Weeks

Application Process for Visiting Students

Please contact Remy Moon (remy.moon@nyulangone.org) to obtain application forms.