Cytopathology Fellowship

Program Description 

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine offers a one-year fellowship in Cytopathology. The ACGME accredited program is based primarily at the Moffitt Cancer Center with a one-month rotation at the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital. All laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathology and the Joint Commission for American Hospital Organization.  The Cytopathology Department at MCC acquires over 10,000 specimens annually:  approximately 4,300 exfoliative specimens, 3,000 fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens, 1,400 gynecologic/Pap tests, 450 intraoperative cytology consultations and 1,000 outside review/consultation cases. 

The Cytopathology Fellowship Program emphasizes basic and advanced principles of exfoliative, aspiration cytology and intraoperative cytology as well as the application of ancillary techniques such as immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular Pathology to cytological specimens. The goal of the program is that of assisting the fellow in developing: 

1. Advanced diagnostic skills in the work-up and interpretation of cytological specimens.
2. Proficiency in the performance and interpretation of fine needle aspirations from palpable tumors.
3. Educational and administrative skills in the area of cytopathology.
4. Curiosity and basic research skills in clinical, translational, or basic cellular sciences, or any combination of these three. 

Research 

The fellows are expected to complete one research project before the end of their fellowship year and to present this at a local or national meeting. Support for the research activity of the fellows is provided by the Moffitt Cancer Center GME office and the Research Coordinator. Funding for the fellows’ research is also available through the USF GME office. The fellow has one month of protected time for research. The time for research is not given in a one-month block, but rather at times that are convenient to the fellow and suit the needs of the research project being done. The fellow is not excused from attending required lectures, but fellows will be fully relieved of patient care issues. Depending on the level of interest in research, the fellow could be allowed more time, that is, an extra week or two during the year.  

Faculty

Meet our Faculty

Eligibility

Applicants must have at least three years of AP training or four years of AP/CP training in an ACGME-accredited program and must be eligible for AP/CP boards. The program has a preference for candidates who are already board-certified and completed a surgical pathology fellowship. Additional materials to determine eligibility include medical school grades, USMLE scores, letters of recommendation, and passing of the pathology boards, if applicable

Number of Positions

This fellowship accepts two fellows per academic year. 

How to Apply

We are participating in the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC) unified recruitment timeline for cytopathology fellowship programs.

• Applications will start being reviewed: Summer
• Interviews will be offered: August-September 
• Fellowship offer letters extended to applicants in October (applicants will have 72 hours to accept/decline)
• For more information: ASC Fellowship Unified Timeline 

If you are interested in applying to the Cytopathology fellowship program, please submit the following materials to the education coordinator: 

• Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships (download from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) website)
• Three letters of recommendation (one from current program director preferred)
• Updated CV
• USMLE scores
• Medical school transcripts
• Personal statement 

We participate in the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC) unified recruitment timeline for cytopathology fellowship programs. 

Personal statement

Sample Contract, Salary, Benefits 

Find out more detailed information.

Program Director

Sana Tabbara, MD 
Director of the Cytopathology Fellowship
Moffitt Cancer Center  
12902 USF Magnolia Drive
Tampa, FL 33612 

GME Program Administrator

Jamie Harrington 
Moffitt Cancer Center
12902 USF Magnolia Drive, MCC-GME
Tampa, FL 33612
813-745-0589
Jamie.Harrington@Moffitt.org