Oncologic Surgical Pathology Fellowship Program Structure
The Oncologic Surgical Pathology Fellowship at City of Hope is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that accepts one fellow annually. Training takes place at the Duarte campus, providing fellows with extensive exposure to complex oncologic surgical pathology under the guidance of experienced, subspecialty-trained faculty.
The program combines comprehensive diagnostic training, graduated clinical responsibility, multidisciplinary collaboration and opportunities for scholarly development. It is designed to prepare fellows for careers in both academic pathology and community practice with a strong oncology focus.
Core Curriculum and Subspecialty Rotations
Fellows rotate through a broad range of anatomic pathology subspecialties, gaining experience in the diagnosis and management of complex neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases.
Core rotations include:
- Breast Pathology
- Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pathology
- Genitourinary Pathology
- Gynecologic Pathology
- Head and Neck Pathology
- Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology
- Thoracic Pathology
- Neuropathology
- Intraoperative consultations (frozen sections)
- Molecular Pathology
Training also incorporates exposure to digital pathology, with whole-slide imaging facilities for routine sign-out.
Clinical Responsibilities and Graduated Autonomy
Fellows participate in the diagnostic evaluation of a comprehensive range of in-house surgical pathology specimens and external consultation cases.
Under faculty supervision, fellows are actively involved in:
- Independent slide preview and case preparation
- Histopathologic interpretation and formulation of differential diagnoses
- Selection and interpretation of ancillary studies
- Preparation of pathology reports
- Faculty-supervised case sign-out
- Intraoperative consultations and frozen section interpretation
The program emphasizes a structured progression toward greater diagnostic independence and responsibility as fellows advance through their training.
Educational Conferences and Multidisciplinary Learning
Fellows participate in a comprehensive educational curriculum designed to strengthen diagnostic expertise, critical thinking and communication skills.
Educational activities include:
- Subspecialty teaching conferences
- Faculty-led slide seminars
- Intradepartmental consensus conferences
- Journal clubs
- Multidisciplinary tumor boards
- Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) activities
- Monthly Pathology Grand Rounds
- Online open access resource, pathCast
These activities provide opportunities for fellows to engage in collaborative learning, discuss challenging cases, develop critical diagnostic and communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of the pathologist’s role in multidisciplinary cancer care.
Research and Scholarly Activities
Research and scholarly development are integral components of the fellowship. Fellows receive dedicated research time and are encouraged to pursue projects aligned with their academic and professional interests.
Under faculty mentorship, fellows have opportunities to:
- Participate in clinical, translational and pathology-focused research
- Develop and submit abstracts to regional, national and international scientific meetings
- Present scholarly work at the City of Hope GME Academic Day of Excellence
- Prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams
The program provides access to diverse oncologic pathology cases, institutional research resources and experienced faculty mentors to support scholarly productivity.
Mentorship, Professional Development and Well-Being
The fellowship emphasizes professional growth through a structured mentorship program. Each fellow is assigned a dedicated faculty mentor who provides individualized guidance through regular meetings, constructive feedback and ongoing support for career planning and professional development throughout the fellowship year.
Fellows are encouraged to explore their professional interests, strengthen their teaching and presentation skills and develop the confidence and expertise necessary for independent practice.
The program also recognizes the importance of fellow well-being and incorporates dedicated wellness activities and opportunities for social engagement throughout the fellowship year. These initiatives complement a collegial and supportive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, professional growth and personal well-being.