Gynecological Pathology

Program Overview

Many of the pathologists and laboratory scientists working at Alberta Precision Laboratories hold full time or clinical faculty appointments with the University of Calgary. This joint arrangement allows sharing of facilities and expertise between APL and the Faculty of Medicine, resulting in enhanced strength in service, education and research. APL performs subspecialty pathology service. There are currently seven gynecological pathology within APL in Calgary serving as intradepartmental consultants and on the weekly Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board Rounds (TBR).

The weekly Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board Rounds (TBR) is held Thursday morning at Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre (ACCC, optional virtual call in, which is the preferred option for fellows). At this conference, gynecological oncology cases are presented and the relevant pathology from each case is reviewed and discussed in order to facilitate management of patients. Tumor board is attended by gynecologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, support staff from the gynecologic oncology clinic, fellows, residents and medical students.

The Department of Pathology at the Foothills Medical Center is equipped to facilitate the teaching of residents/fellows. The residents’ room is located within the Department with a capacity to accommodate 19 residents and up to 4 fellows. Each trainee is provided with a microscope and computer with access to the internet and electronic patient record. An up-to-date library is also provided in the residents’ room.

There are 2 multi-headed microscope teaching rooms (13 head and a 10 head). The microscopes in each of these rooms have theability to project through a high-definition television screen for teaching purposes.

Dr. Lee has a large collection of teaching slides in gynecologic pathology and gynecologic cytology, and these materials are made available to the trainee upon request. Additional teaching sets are available within the Department.

For technical assistance, the Department has multiple well-established and well- maintained labs, including onsite histology, molecular lab, and flow cytometry. Cytology and immunohistochemistry labs are located at the Diagnostic and Scientific Center.

Statement of Clinical Focus

Over a one-year period, the trainee will develop knowledge and medical expertise in the field of gynecologic pathology. The training will promote the CanMEDs competencies with emphasis on the categories of “medical expert” and “scholar” as outlined below.

Upon completion of training, the fellow will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to approach, diagnose, and report pathologies of the female genital tract, conduct research in the discipline, and develop the professional attitudes expected of a medical expert in the field of gynecologic pathology.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants for MD Post Graduate Fellowships must fulfill the following pre-requisites:

1. Royal College Certification in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology or Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology or equivalent OR eligibility for Royal College certification in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology or Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology OR equivalent.
2. Legally allowed to work in Canada
3. Able to satisfy the eligibility requirements of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) for Post Graduate Trainees

Curriculum Overview

The Fellow is expected to attend and participate in the following Rounds:

• Thursday weekly Gynecologic Oncology rounds at Foothills Medical Center (07:30-08:30)
• Friday academic half-day activities relevant to Gynecological Pathology (academic half-day runs from 08:00-12:00) 
• Monday biweekly resident teaching rounds (16:00-17:00)  Tuesday monthly gynecologic pathology diagnostic rounds (13:00-14:00)

Attendance by the Fellow at the following Rounds is suggested:

• Thursday continuing medical education rounds (16:00-17:00) 

In the above-mentioned rounds, if a case with pathologic diagnosis is presented, the fellow may be expected to present the pathologic findings and discuss the case with the clinicians. 

The fellow may be asked to give presentations at the residents’ academic half-day and continuing medical education rounds. 

Specific Rotations:

Foothills Medical Centre, South Health Campus 

Curriculum:

1. Intended Caseload – the intended caseload is unknown at this point but is estimated to be >1000 cases within one year of training consisting of a combination of both consultative and non-consultative gynecologic surgical pathology cases.