Surgical Pathology

A Resident's day-to-day on the Surgical Pathology Rotation 

The surgical pathology rotation is organized into five subspecialties (Derm/bone and soft tissue, genitourinary, breast/gyn, gastrointestinal, and ENT/lung). Residents are assigned 2 two-week blocks of subspecialty benches for each four week rotation. We follow a three-day cycle where we gross on the first day and preview and sign out cases the following two days.

In addition to the above five core benches, senior residents also spend a minimum of two weeks performing neuropathology and placental pathology.  In addition to these organ systems which are regularly encountered in the autopsy setting, this structured time allows trainees more concentrated exposure similar to what is done for the other fields.

On the grossing days, the residents are responsible for grossing the cases for their respective subspecialty and all intraoperative frozen sections. The next two days start with previewing the first outs and discussing the cases with the faculty by 10:30 AM. The rest of the morning is spent previewing the cases as they come out. In the afternoon, the cases are signed out by the faculty. This is the time of active discussions and teaching. The resident on a particular service is also responsible for presenting the cases at the tumor board conference. We have a very diverse specimen portfolio with plenty of "zebras" and an excellent faculty to teach the best approach to all types of cases.

Rotation Director


Benjamin J. Swanson, MD, PhD