The Pathology Residency Program is a four year accredited program that consists of combined training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. The program has been in place for more than 40 years and combines the sophistication of a university pathology experience with the service orientation of a community-based hospital. The collaborative design of our program enables us to achieve our primary objective which is to prepare graduates for competitive fellowships and productive careers in their chosen field.
Residents spend four years in the study of Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology disciplines. Training is primarily at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. University based affiliate rotations include Pediatric Pathology, Dermatopathology, Renal Pathology/Electron Microscopy, Cytogenetics, Molecular Diagnostics, Transplant and Histocompatability. Research opportunities are available.
The Anatomic Pathology program includes training in Surgical Pathology, Forensic Pathology, Cytopathology, Neuropathology, Pediatric Pathology, Dermatopathology, Transplant Pathology and Renal Pathology/Electron Microscopy. In addition, senior residents are required to spend 30 weeks with the responsibilities of a Junior Surgical Pathologist.
The Clinical Pathology program consists of closely supervised, self-paced studies in each division of the Clinical Laboratory. Residents act as Clinical Pathology consultants, and their responsibility for laboratory management and problem solving increases as their competence develops. A detailed curriculum, study guide and study materials are provided for each assignment. The training in Clinical Pathology consists of: Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Cytogenetics, Hematopathology (including Flow Cytometry), Histocompatibility, Immunopathology (Including Serology), Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Laboratory Information Systems, Laboratory Management. Senior residents are required to spend 22 weeks with the responsibilities of a Clinical Pathologist Manager.
Each resident is expected to have no fewer than four patient care-related projects in Anatomic and/or Clinical Pathology. At least two of these will be suitable for submission for publication in a peer review journal.
Pathology residents are required to attend at least 80% of all teaching conferences, including daily conferences, each on a different topic related to the residency, conferences to review interesting surgical cases, gross pathology reviews, formal clinicopathologic conference with the department of medicine; and many other interdepartmental and interdisciplinary conferences.
Types and Numbers of Appointments
The Pathology Residency Program has eight ACGME accredited positions in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. Generally, two PGY-1 positions are offered each year.
Facilities
Conemaugh Health System is the largest health care provider in west central Pennsylvania, serving families across 11 counties through our network of hospitals, physician offices, specialty clinics and other patient-focused programs. Through its members, the Conemaugh Health System offers a continuum of care and highly specialized services, including nationally recognized programs in orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiac, pulmonary, critical care and maternity. Over 4,500 employees of the Conemaugh Health System serve more than a half-million patients each year.
HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare ratings company, has ranked Conemaugh's Memorial Medical Center in the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation for clinical excellence in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
The Department of Laboratory Medicine is a recognized leader in pathology and laboratory computer science. Our staff pioneered the development of Sunquest Information Systems, a laboratory information system in use in hospitals around the globe. The clinical laboratory completes more than 2,000,000 tests each year, processes 18,000 Surgical specimens, 28,000 Cytologic specimens and 250 Autopsies annually.
Staff
Expertise of more than 425 active and courtesy physicians, represent 22 of the 24 American Boards of Medical Specialties. Faculty members bring extensive experience to their positions, often gained through clinical and research fellowships at some of the most renowned medical facilities in the country. Backed by the resources of the Conemaugh Health System, Memorial Medical Center and its residency programs provide today's physicians with the competitive skills and experience needed for a long, productive medical career.
Medical staff continuing education programs are open to resident physicians and offer a new schedule of rounds, seminars, conferences and visiting professorships each month, many of which are approved for continuing medical education credit.
Curtis Goldblatt MD, Director, Pathology Residency Program, Associate Medical Director Department of Laboratory Medicine; Sidney A. Goldblatt MD, Assistant Director, Pathology Residency Program, Medical Director, Department Laboratory Medicine; Harold Ashcraft MD, Chairman, Department of Laboratory Medicine; Waheeb Rizkalla MD, Associate Pathologist; Manjunath Heggere MD, Associate Pathologist; Lian Qian MD, PhD, Associate Pathologist.
Applications
Residency candidates must be a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian school or an ECFMG certified foreign medical graduate. All applications must be submitted through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) by December 1.
Address inquiries to:
Cindy Gregorich
Residency Training Program Coordinator
Department of Pathology
Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital
1020 Franklin Street, GS1252
Johnstown, PA 15905-4398
Phone: (814) 534-1624
E-mail:pathology@conemaugh.org