Hematopathology Fellowship

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited University of Florida Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine Hematopathology Fellowship is a comprehensive one-year program in hematopathology that begins annually on July 1.

The UF Hematopathology Fellowship has the following aims:

  • OVERALL PROGRAM GOAL: The goal of this 1-year experience is to prepare the fellow to independently function as a primary diagnostician and consultant in all areas of hematopathology and clinical laboratory hematology.
  • Training in all aspects of modern Hematopathology with emphasis on neoplastic hematologic disorders and flow cytometry. This training will include patient care, research and education.
  • Proficiency in the use of all diagnostic technologies (histomorphology, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics and molecular pathology) for the evaluation and diagnosis of hematological diseases. Total integration of these diagnostic modalities with an emphasis on clinical correlations is a primary aim of the program.
  • Competence in basic science, cognitive and technical skills needed to practice hematopathology in either an academic or private setting. Emphasis is placed on the development of clinical knowledge and maturity during the fellowship training as this will enable the fellow to employ skillful judgment in the assessment of disease.
  • Familiarity with clinical research. All fellows are required to participate in at least one research project, and have the experience of presenting his/her research work in local or national meetings.

MISSION:

Our ACGME-accredited training program emphasizes patient-centered, interdisciplinary diagnostic care that amounts to a philosophy more than a curriculum.  

VISION:

We envision that our graduates will have a positive impact on diagnostic patient care and advance the field of hematopathology.

Program Goals and Objectives

OVERALL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Many individual objectives are delineated within the individual rotations. The overall objectives of the program are listed below and are linked to ACGME core competencies.
PC=Patient care, PBL=Practice Based Learning Improvement, MK=Medical Knowledge, ICS= Interpersonal Communication, P= Professionalism, SBP= System Based Practice

  1. Provide competent diagnostic interpretation of all hematopathology material. [PC]
  2. Develop an analytical approach to diagnoses. [PC]
  3. Recognize own limitations. [PBL]
  4. Serve as a consultant to health care providers.  [SBP]
  5. Demonstrate effective teaching of medical students, residents, pathologists, and clinicians. [ICS]
  6. Demonstrate effective management of the clinical laboratory. [SBP]
  7. Assume professional servant-leader responsibility for patient care in preparation to function as a laboratory medical director. [P]
  8. Participate in lifelong learning. [MK]

Fellow rotations:

  1. Hematopathology Core Rotation (three 13-week blocks): During this rotation, fellows learn to interpret results of various diagnostic laboratory analyses performed on tissue and bone marrow biopsies and aspirates, blood, and serosal fluids for the diagnosis and characterization of hematologic and lymphoid diseases.
  2. Hematology/ Coagulation Laboratory (4 Weeks): During this rotation the trainee is exposed to routine hematology assays, reticulocyte counts, hemoglobin electrophoresis, tests for red cell abnormalities, coagulation studies, and body fluid analysis. During this rotation, the trainee is expected to attend consult rounds, review cases to be presented and pertinent literature. Learning instrumentation and general administration aspects of the laboratory are additional responsibilities.
  3. Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics Rotation (4 weeks): During this rotation, fellows learn to perform and interpret results of complex molecular, cytogenetics and FISH studies in the context of immunophenotypic and morphologic findings on hematopathology cases.
  4. Elective Rotation (Other surgical subspecialty or cytopathology): (4 weeks):  Fellows may elect to have additional rotations in surgical subspecialties (such as dermpath) or cytopathology. They may also elect to have additional training time in the Core hematopathology rotation. The dermatopathology training, for example, will emphasize the differential diagnoses of cutaneous lymphoma vs cutaneous inflammatory diseases. In the cytology rotation, fellows will be trained in reading cytology of lymph nodes and FNA of mass lesions.
  5. Bone Marrow Biopsy (1 week):
    During this rotation, fellows partially rotate through the adult hematology oncology outpatient clinic service. There they will observe and participate in the clinical evaluation of patients and the bone marrow aspirate/biopsy procedure itself including adequacy assessment. A minimum of five procedures must be performed and all procedures must be logged in the ACGME Case Log database.

FOR APPLICANTS:

ACGME Accredited Positions: 2

Important Dates for 2025-2026 application cycle:

  • July 1st 2023: Applications accepted for 2024-25 positions.
  • September 1st 2023: Earliest date fellowship offers may be transmitted.

Fellow positions are currently filled through: 2023-2024 academic year.

One fellowship position remains open for 2024-2025 academic year.

Benefits: Commensurate with level of training. Visit the UF Administrative Affairs Housestaff Benefits Web page for more information.

All diagnostic technologies available to the fellow reside in a single centralized location. Integration of these diagnostic modalities, with an emphasis on clinical correlations, is the primary aim of the program.

Active pediatric and adult hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation services at UF Health Shands Hospital and other UF-affiliated institutions provide a large, varied selection of clinical materials. Additionally, our laboratory, UF Health Pathology Laboratories, is one of the top referral centers for hematological neoplasias in the Southeast United States, serving the consultation needs of numerous hospitals and clinics.

The Hematopathology Fellowship includes rotations through general hematology and coagulation laboratories. Fellows are expected to participate in investigative activities, which are supported by the Department’s large tumor repository and well-equipped clinical and research laboratories.

Applicant Requirements

Successful fellowship candidates must be certification-eligible or certified in anatomic, or anatomic and clinical pathology, by the American Board of Pathology. Applicants are required to have passed the first three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.

For International Medical Graduates

The Department requires that all IMG applicants have valid certificates from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. The University of Florida supports J1 visas but does not support H1B visas.

Applications

Completed application packets* must be received by November 1 of the year preceding the start of the fellowship (e.g. For a 2024 – 25 fellowship, applications must be received by Nov. 1, 2023.) and must include a:

* Electronic submission of fellowship application materials is preferred.

Direct inquiries on the Hematopathology Fellowship to:

Robert Seifert M.D. 
Hematopathology Fellowship Program Director
University of Florida College of Medicine
Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine
P.O. Box 100275
Gainesville, FL 32610

Send completed application packets to:

Administrative Support Assistant: Julia Pittman

  • Phone: 352.627.2042
  • Fax: 352.265.9901