Residents' Elective in Gynecologic Pathology

The elective in gynecologic pathology at Sunnybrook prepares the resident to confidently transition into his/her future independent practice.

Supervisor:  Dr. M. Khalifa

Teaching Pathologists: Drs. V. Dubé, Z. Ghorab, N. Ismiil, M. Khalifa, S. Nofech-Mozes, G. Han, M. Cesari (links to profiles will open in a new window)

Description of the Elective: The department of Anatomic Pathology receives more than 10,000 gynecological pathology surgical specimens annually, more than 7,000 of which are neoplastic. Most of the oncologic cases are referred with exceptionally complex and unusual scenarios (For more information, see our department profile). Residents will have the unique opportunity of handling and studying some of the most unique surgical specimens and unusual entities.

Participation in our robust intra-operative consultation service and renowned teaching sessions of grossing techniques offers the rotating resident the necessary background to take a proactive role in reaching diagnoses. With repeated shared sign out sessions with the teaching staff, the resident is expected to show progressive independence in working up cases and formalizing reports. Attendance to intradepartmental consensus meetings and to Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre weekly tumor boards (multidisciplinary cancer conferences) will positively enhance the resident's appreciation of multidisciplinary interaction and decision making and will help him/her to appreciate the clinical implications of his/her future diagnoses.

The goals of this elective are to:

• Strengthen the resident's diagnostic skills in gynecological pathology
• Help him/her build a strong approach to problem solving
• Develop a clear understanding of underlying issues and clinical implications of his/her diagnoses in gynecological pathology; in order to
• Prepare the resident to confidently transition into his/her future independent practice

The specific objectives are:

1. To obtain a unique gynecologic pathology diagnostic experience, including:

• Diagnostic criteria
• Building of differential diagnoses for unusual and difficult cases
• Standardized and comprehensive reporting of prognostic factors
• Employment of immunohistochemical techniques in diagnosis
• Improvement in clinical-pathologic correlation skills

2. To improve teaching techniques and interpersonal communicative skills, including:

• Participating in various CME activities and departmental rounds (list of available rounds)
• Teaching pathology residents

Duration: One month (can be extended as requested)

Eligibility: Open to residents who have completed their core rotations in anatomic and general pathology

Number of residents: Two residents at a time

Availability for visiting residents from other universities: If original university's financial support is maintained

How to apply: Residents interested in applying for the elective should contact:

Dr. Nadia Ismiil, MD, MBChB, FRCPC
Director of Postgraduate Education, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology at the University of Toronto
Staff Pathologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Phone: 416-480-4600
Email: nadia.ismiil@sunnybrook.ca