Hematopathology Fellowship

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Hematopathology Fellowship includes a broad experience in the diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic specimens. UAMS has a large patient population with multiple myeloma due to the Myeloma Institute of Research and Therapy being located at UAMS. A significant number of myeloma patients also have a second and sometimes third malignancy (carcinoma, lymphoma, and increasingly, therapy related-myeloid neoplasm). In addition, UAMS has the only allogeneic bone marrow/stem cell transplant service in the state of Arkansas. Therefore, the fellow will review a large volume of complex hematopoietic malignancies from cases submitted in consultation. Overall, the volume of cases evaluated by the hematopathology service at UAMS (>6000 lymph node and bone marrows/yr) is greater than most academic hematopathology divisions. The fellow will gain experience in immunophenotyping of neoplastic hematopathology cases using both flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, as well as the integrated use of cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic techniques in diagnosis.

The six full-time faculty members in the hematopathology division rotate sign out responsibilities for myeloma bone marrows, non-myeloma cases (bone marrow biopsies and hematolymphoid tissues with flow cytometry), peripheral blood/body fluid review and pediatric pathology on a weekly basis.

Formally, the fellow will rotate on the non-myeloma bone marrow/lymph node/consultation service, molecular pathology and cytogenetics, and flow cytometry. The non-neoplastic hematopathology experience includes evaluation of body fluids/peripheral blood smears and coagulation disorders. There is one elective month that can be used for research. The fellow spends one month at Arkansas Children’s hospital learning pediatric hematopathology, hemoglobinopathies, and coagulation/platelet aggregometry and prepares the bi-monthly conference for the VA hematology-oncology service.  The fellow will work with a multidisciplinary team to integrate and interpret all aspects of diagnostic testing in hematopathology and gain a detailed knowledge of the intricacies and spectrum of plasma cell neoplasms.