Dr. Joseph Khoury, chairman of UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, said at the start of a recent continuing medical education conference that he hoped for a day filled with medicine, science and exciting discussions.
And that’s exactly what the nearly 50 attendees experienced at the Oct. 18 conference, “Advances in Anatomic Pathology,” at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. The meeting was the brainchild of Dr. Khoury, an internationally recognized hematopathologist who has had significant experience with such meetings at both national and international venues. He requested Dr. Subodh Lele, professor and associate vice chair of faculty affairs and development and director of the surgical pathology fellowship program, to direct this first meeting. The goal was to present the latest developments in diagnostic surgical pathology and cytology.
“It was a gratifying showcase of who we are at our best: subspecialty experts who are equally committed educators,” Dr. Khoury said. “Across sessions and topics ranging from molecular pathology to nuanced case-based discussions, our faculty delivered content that was rigorous, practical, and clear, reflecting the translation of advances in medicine and science to daily patient care.”
Eleven faculty members from the department presented at the daylong event, which included time for informal discussions and networking opportunities. “It was energizing to welcome colleagues from across Nebraska and the surrounding region, and to reconnect with former trainees and longtime collaborators whose attendance enriched this activity,” Dr. Khoury said.
Dr. Lele agreed that building in time during the day for practicing pathologists to meet and exchange ideas was important. “Many of the attendees said they had never experienced such a meeting before within our state,” he said. Presentations covered newly recognized entities and their mimickers, as well as processes to navigate challenges in diagnostic work faced by pathologists in their daily practice. “They also said it was much needed given the rapid pace of recent advances,” he said.
Trainees who attended told him that in addition to learning material that may appear on their boards, they were able to meet pathologists from within and around the state and make connections that could lead to jobs, Dr. Lele said. Those networking opportunities continued after the meeting, at a reception and dinner for attendees.
“I am grateful to the organizing committee, speakers, and learners for creating a program that was a success in every way,” Dr. Khoury said. “Building on this momentum, we plan to host the meeting again next year, expanding the topics while retaining the intimate, collegial spirit that made this year’s gathering so successful.”