The Albany Medical Center Hematopathology Fellowship Program is a one-year program directed toward subspecialty Board certification. The program provides an in-depth experience in morphologic hematopathology and liquid hematology as well as flow cytometry, cytogenetics, immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostic techniques. Case material is derived from the Albany Medical Center and the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center as well as consultations cases from regional hospitals.
The fellowship program in hematopathology is structured and organized to provide training and clinical experience so that upon completion of a one-year program the fellow is competent to function effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and as a consultant in the field of hematopathology. The educational objectives of the training program are designed to prepare individuals for a career in diagnostic hematopathology by providing training in morphology, flow cytometry, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques. The fellowship emphasizes both the diagnostic skills and research.
The format used to accomplish this educational goal is a curriculum that consists of structured and dedicated blocks of time for rotation through various laboratories and diagnostic services as well as structured didactic lectures, conferences, morphologic atlases, microscopic slide study sets, clinical and laboratory experience, research activities and participation in national meetings.
The total number of bone marrow core biopsies and aspirates performed at Albany Medical Center is approximately 800 per year. An additional 60 biopsies/aspirates are performed at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. The program requires that the fellow independently and successfully perform five bone marrow aspirations and biopsies under the supervision of the attending hematologist oncologist.
Research Initiatives
Our area of interest and research is the study of large cell lymphomas with a special emphasis on cell cycle pathways and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. A large database of well-characterized diffuse large B cell lymphomas is available to identify these targets. We are active members of the Upstate Hematology Group (Upstate SUNY Syracuse, University of Rochester, and SUNY Buffalo) promoting research and education.