Autopsy

The basic premise of the autopsy rotation is to provide definitive anatomic information regarding a disease or disease process occurring during life, which contributes to the cause of death. In turn, this information may provide beneficial information to the deceased’s family, attending clinicians, and to those interested in the biology of disease.

A Resident's day-to-day on the Autopsy Rotation

The autopsy rotation in the pathology department starts in the first year. PGY1 residents spend two months dedicated to the autopsy. In the first month, the PGY1 resident is supervised by a PGY3 resident who teaches them all the aspects of autopsy including gross examination, dissections, describing finding, taking appropriate sections and finally, formulating the report. During the rotation, the responsible resident will cover the service with one of our qualified physician assistants. This rotation gives an excellent opportunity to learn the basic histology and sharpen the grossing technique. Also, we have brain cutting conferences which are performed under the supervision of a neuropathologist. Residents also present the interesting cases during autopsy conference, which happens once every four weeks. PGY1 residents who have completed their rotations, as well as PGY 2-4 residents, will participate in the autopsy “rotating autopsy coverage”. Each incoming autopsy will be assigned to the next resident on the list.

Rotation Director


Kirk W. Foster, MD