Anatomic Pathology
Resident education in anatomic pathology is accomplished by a combination of practical hands-on experience under direct supervision, with progressive graduated responsibility from novice to independent practitioner.
Multiple venues are utilized.
Grossing
Multiple grossing stations with state-of-the-art safety features are utilized in handling tissue samples. Expert guidance is provided in developing skills of description, dissection, and processing of specimens, with abundant opportunities to develop increased proficiency in addressing common and more unusual material. All major subspecialty surgical services are active, ensuring that all residents gain experience in grossing specimens from all body sites.
Frozen Section
Our department occupies a large space in the operating room facility, providing immediate response to requests for intraoperative consultation. Many surgical teams utilize this service throughout the day, delivering samples to this laboratory and awaiting our interpretation to guide additional surgery. Our residents serve a primary role in this consultation, developing skills in selecting the optimal sample for frozen section, creating a high-quality glass slide for interpretation, and ultimately providing the diagnosis to be delivered in person to the surgical team. This experience is vital for our residents to develop confidence in providing intraoperative consultation, including an understanding of limitations of this procedure and the preferred approach to frozen section diagnosis in these multiple surgical arenas.
Signout
Our residents rotate through each of the many subspecialty areas of anatomic pathology, gaining experience in the variety of specimens in these disciplines. Signout occurs almost entirely via multi-headed or two-headed microscopes with an attending pathologist expert in these areas. Residents progress in their reporting abilities and are ultimately expected to create a complete, comprehensive, and accurate pathology report.
Autopsy
Albany Medical Center's morgue performs a large number of forensic autopsies and a significant number of hospital cases, the latter entirely performed by our residents. The number of hospital cases easily provides sufficient experience for each resident, and the forensic material is also available for additional experience if desired by the residents. As with all other residency training in pathology, there is an initial close supervision, with progressive graduation to independent performance.
Clinical Pathology
Resident education in clinical pathology develops broad comprehensive skills in clinical consultation and interpretation of test results from all clinical laboratories. This is accomplished using a curriculum combining bench experience, tutorials, conferences, and case discussion with faculty and technical staff devoted to each discipline.
Residents spend three to four months in each of the major laboratories (Transfusion Medicine-Apheresis, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology-Coagulation, and Microbiology) and also have rotations in Serology, Histocompatibility (HLA), Flow Cytometry, Laboratory Management, and Informatics. Educational opportunities are further enhanced by off-site rotations at the American Red Cross and the Stratton VA Medical Center. Laboratory administration and quality improvement programs are integrated into each rotation. Resident education begins with exposure to the technical aspects of the laboratory bench and instruments, advancing to the understanding of test results and interpretation, and progressing to acquiring experience with administration including quality control/quality improvement, personnel management, regulatory requirements, and budget development.
Introduction in FISH Testing
With progressive graduated responsibility, residents ultimately function as consultants addressing clinical, technical, and administrative issues which confront these laboratories. Some of our residents have embraced laboratory medicine as a career choice, pursuing additional fellowship training in clinical pathology. Our graduates finish the program with a well-rounded skill set which enables them to function as independent laboratory directors in any arena, and they are well received by fellowship training programs as well as by prospective employers.
Residents may choose to spend their elective time in either clinical pathology or anatomic pathology.
In recognition of the necessity for residents to apply for fellowship positions by the end of their second year of training, we offer the residents an elective in the second half of their PGY-1 year. This provides an opportunity to explore areas of interest, to define possible fields for future subspecialization, and to begin developing research activities to enhance their resumes.
The choices for electives in anatomic pathology include additional rotations in areas of subspecialty training as well as forensic pathology. Residents may also choose to spend elective time in areas not always well represented in subspecialty sign-out, such as medical renal pathology. Our active nephrology team and our renal transplant service both provide many kidney biopsies for analysis, with our specialty pathology group evaluating histochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ultrastructural material in generating comprehensive diagnoses.
We also offer unique opportunities to explore disciplines further outside the core curriculum, including diagnostic digital pathology. The practice of pathology is evolving rapidly, and it is clear that the future is digital. Therefore, it is vital that any residency training provide hands-on exposure to the basics of pathology informatics. This training should include digital image acquisition (whole slide imaging and real time remote robotic telepathology), automated image analysis (CellaVision peripheral smear screening and quantitative immunohistochemical analysis), and laboratory information system (LIS) implementation and integration. Real time evaluation of remote images for frozen section, and analysis of captured images from peripheral smears and other fluids for diagnosis in Hematology are active parts of our clinical practices, and utilization of these technologies also serve as components of clinically related research activities.
Electives are also available in Executive Physician Leadership and as Acting Medical Director, which serve as introductions to management skills necessary for career development.
Designed to reinforce and expand the skills and knowledge base developed through practical experience as outlined above, the many conferences include didactic lecture series in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology, interactive teaching sessions, unknown conferences, and multidisciplinary tumor boards. Resident participation often entails presentations by both junior and senior trainees, with development of resident skills in presentation.
Residents are strongly encouraged to engage in clinically related research, as part of their overall residency training experience. Resident participation in research activities generally begins in the latter part of their first year, with progressive responsibility through the years in developing each project, under the direct supervision of a more senior resident and an attending faculty member. Residents thereby gain an understanding of proper methods of investigation, interpretation of results, and manuscript development and submission for publication. Support is provided in the form of a clinical research laboratory dedicated to investigative efforts, as well as full-time research technicians and administrative staff. Additional financial support is provided to residents presenting abstracts at national meetings.
2024-2025
Wang X, Lovelace E, Pacheco RR, Pacheco R, Schuster ME, Bernstein A, Akgul M, Lightle A. Atrophic Kidney-Like Lesion-Case Report and Review of the Literature. Int J Surg Pathol. 2024 Oct;32(7):1327-1331.
Tannous E, Malik S, Gilani SM. Pericardial fluid evaluation: Diagnostic yield and cytology-histology correlation. Cancer Cytopathol. 2025 Feb;133(2):e70000. doi: 10.1002/cncy.70000.
Shrestha N, Zhang X, Gilani SM. Utility of SOX17 Immunohistochemical Stain in Serous Fluid Cytology Cell Block Specimens. Diagn Cytopathol. 2025 Jun;53(6):304-307.
Darwish N, Gilani SM. The importance of frozen section analysis in head, neck, and endocrine pathology. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2025 May;42(3):150902. doi: 10.1016/j.semdp.2025.150902.
Faraz M, Rosenzweig A, Panizo A, Hajiyeva S, Subasi NB, Alghamdi MA, Lightle AA, Kuthi L, Kelemen D, Sangoi AR, Nova-Camacho LM, Martos MG, Movassaghi M, Lobo A, Jha S, Yörükoğlu K, Bayrak BY, Williamson SR, Bhardwaj S, Kandukuri S, Kaushal S, Mohanty SK, Akgul M. Primary intrarenal hemangioma - A series of 39 cases.. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2025 Apr;75:152436. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2025.152436.
Sánta F, Dabaghian A, Pósfai B, Vasas B, Kaizer L, Jenei A, Scheich B, Téglási V, Sápi Z, Bíró K, Maráz A, Stelios M, Butz H, Martínek P, Pivovarčíková K, Melegh Z, Akgul M, Kuthi L. Morphological diversity in SDH-deficient renal carcinomas: a three-case exploration of variant features and dedifferentiation. Virchows Arch. 2024 Dec;485(6):1167-1173.
Tannous E, Baycelebi D, Sangoi AR, Pacheco RR, Alghamdi MA, Lightle AR, Al-Obaidy K, Williamson SR, Cetin Z, Korentzelos D, Akgul M. Pseudopapillary and micropapillary-like changes in classical renal angiomyolipoma: a multi-institutional series of 60 cases. Virchows Arch. 2025 Jun 26. doi: 10.1007/s00428-025-04155.
Fu Z, Park E, Aydin HB, Shrestha N, Yang LM, Dabaghian A, Lee H. Acellular mucin in non-neoplastic inflammatory conditions of lower gastrointestinal tract. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2025 Jun;76:152449. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2025.152449.
Wang X, Faraz M, Chen A, Nazeer T, Huang X. Diagnostic utility of lymphocyte enhancer factor 1 in aggressive B-cell lymphoma with MYC rearrangement. Am J Clin Pathol. 2025 Jun 3;163(6):815-821.
Aydin HB, Faraz M, Chismark AD, Qiu H, Lee H. Mucocele of the rectal stump: mucinous cystic neoplasm with low-grade dysplasia simulating low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. J Pathol Transl Med. 2025 Mar;59(2):139-146.
Santa F, Akgul M, Tannous E, Pacheco RR, Lightle AR, Mohanty SK, Cheng L. Primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract and its precursors: Diagnostic criteria and classification. Hum Pathol. 2025 Jan;155:105734. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2025.105734.
Wang X, Darwish N, Huang X. Case report of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements presenting as compartment syndrome of the leg. AME Case Rep. 2025 Mar 26;9:62. doi: 10.21037/acr-24-154. eCollection 2025.
Ramirez LE, Foyt AK, Darwish N, Foulke L, Kostowniak C, Chopra A .A rare case of miliary blastomycosis.
Respir Med Case Rep. 2025 Apr 3;55:102203. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2025.102203.
Meunier R, Kim K, Darwish N, Gilani SM Frozen section analysis in community settings: Diagnostic challenges and key considerations. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2025 May;42(3):150903. doi: 10.1016/j.semdp.2025.150903.
Park E, Subasi NB, Wang X, Kmeid M, Chen A, Tooke-Barry C, Lee H. CXCR2 expression is associated with prostate-specific membrane antigen expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: reappraisal of tumor microenvironment and angiogenesis. Clin Transl Oncol. 2025 Jun;27(6):2544-2556.
2023-2024
Moring N, Swerdloff D, Htoo A, Akgul M, Nazeer T, Mian BM. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the genitourinary tract: a narrative review. Transl Androl Urol. 2024 Feb 29;13(2):308-319.
Htoo A, Qualia C, George R, Arker S, Subasi N, Lee H, Chung L, Chen A. Expression of CD25, mast cell markers and T-cell markers in eosinophilic esophagitis. Ann Diagn Pathol 2024 Mar 1;70:152289. Doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2024.152287.
Czekey R, Higgins C, Aydin H, Samarakoon R, Subasi N, Higgins S, Lee H, Higgins P. SERPINE1: Role in cholangiocarcinoma progression and a therapeutic target in the desmoplastic microenvironment. Cells 2024;13:796. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13100796.
Wang X, Lovelace E, Pacheco RR , Pacheco R, Schuster M, Bernstein A, Akgul M, Lightle A. Atrophic Kidney-Like Lesion-Case Report and Review of the Literature. Int J Surg Pathol.2024 Jan 30:10668969241226703. doi: 10.1177/10668969241226703.
Pacheco RR, Binboga Kurt B, Kosemehmetoglu K, Rothrock AT, Lightle A, Akgul M. Multinucleated tumor cells in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Am J Clin Pathol. 2023 Dec 1;160(6):603-611.
Pacheco R, Kim H, Choi W, Kook M, Cho M, Karamchandani D, Lee M, Kim B, Lee S, Yang Z, Kim J, Lagana S, Lee H. Unraveling Interobserver Variability in Gastrointestinal Glandular Neoplasia: A Contemporary Study of US and Korean Pathologists. J Clin Pathol 2023 Sep 22; cp-2023-209048.doi: 10.1136/jcp-2023-209048.
Hill L, Roofigari N, Faraz M, Popov J, Moshkovich M, Figueiredo M, Hartung E, Talbo M, Lalanne-Mistrih M, Sherlock M, Zachos M, Timmons B, Obeid J, Pai N. Physical Activity in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Scoping Review. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2023 Jul 24;36(1):44-56.
Fitzgerald H, Bonin J, Khan S, Eid M, Sadhu S, Rahtes A, Lipscomb M, Biswas N, Decker C, Nabage M, Bossardi Ramos R, Duarte G, Marinello M, Chen A, Aydin H, Mena H, Gilliard K, Spite M, DiPersio M, Adam A, MacNamara K, Fredman G. Resolvin D2-G-Protein Coupled Receptor 18 Enhances Bone Marrow Function and Limits Steatosis and Hepatic Collagen Accumulation in Aging. Am J Pathol. 2023 Dec;193(12):1953-1968.
2022
Kmeid M, Aldyab M, Brar R, Lee H. Histologic Findings and Tissue B-Cell Depletion in Endoscopic Mucosal Biopsy Specimens of the Gastrointestinal Tract After Treatment With Rituximab. Am J Clin Pathol. 2022 Mar 3;157(3):353-364.
Kumaresan T, Rodriguez D, Preece J, Kmeid M, Foulke L, Gildener-Leapman N. Oral Tongue Spontaneous Tumor Regression after Biopsy: A Case Report and Genomic Profile. Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 May 10:14556.
Fu Z, Kmeid M, Arker SH, Lukose G, Lee EC, Lauwers GY, Lee H. Diversion colitis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is distinct from that in non-IBD: Reappraisal of diversion colitis. Hum Pathol. 2022 May;123:31-39.