I have completed my clinical rotation year and have gained experience with the following in both surgical and autopsy pathology to date: • Bones and Joints• Amputations/Disarticulations: Above the knee, below the knee, digits • Breast: Core biopsies, lumpectomies, simple mastectomies, modified radical mastectomies• Fetal/Maternal: Placentas, products of conception• Female reproductive: salpingectomy, cervix (LEEP/cone), hysterectomy (intact/morcellated), leiomyoma, oophorectomy (cysts/endometriosis), trachelectomy• Gastrointestinal: appendectomies, cholecystectomy, partial gastrectomy, hemorrhoids, colectomy (diverticulitis/perforation/inflammatory bowel disease/tumor), whipple, distal pancreatectomy with attached spleen• Head and Neck: tonsils, nasal polyps, salivary glands, sinus contents, teeth, thyroid, laryngectomy• Lung: lobectomy (aspergillus, tumor)• Dermatopathology: pigmented lesions, punch biopsies, skin shaves, tumor re-excisions• Genitourinary: urinary bladder (male/female) prostatectomy, radical nephrectomy, orchiectomy(tumor)

Pediatric autopsy and surgical rotation. Gain understanding of pediatric post-mortem examination techniques and correlate with human development. Gain ability to detect variations in human development relating to various disease states and congenital anomalies.

Learn and expand complex independent specimen grossing techniques to include, but not limited to; mapping large tumors, pancreaticoduodenectomy, laryngectomy with pharynx attached, male and female cystectomy, distal pancreatectomy with spleen attached, nephrectomy, gyn, breast, and multi-organ specimens. In addition, learn how to properly photograph and x-ray specimens for high quality, case presentation images. Systems in place: CoPath and Dragon Voice Recognition.

Hospital autopsy rotation. Gain understanding of post-mortem examination techniques including proper documentation of therapeutic intervention, injury, extent of disease, and other distinguishing characteristics of the decedent. Learn about systemic disease processes and how to recognize abnormalities from normal tissue. Student responsibilities also included attending two weekly interesting case conferences and performing and presenting one post-mortem examination. System in place: Cerner

Continue to expand understanding of gross techniques and ordering special stains for more complex specimens including; but not limited to, dermatopathology specimens and gyn cases. Additional opportunities included viewing and assisting with forensic autopsy cases. Student responsibilities also included choosing interesting cases to review at slide conference once per week with selected pathologists to gain knowledge of histology and disease processes. Systems in place: Copath and Dictaphone with transcription service.

Learn basic gross room techniques and procedures to include proper patient identification and identifying simple surgical specimens. Learn decalcification process and proper bone sectioning techniques. Eventually building skills to begin identifying complex specimen orientation and grossing complex colon cancer, prostate, and GI cases. Systems in place: CoPath and Dragon Voice Recognition.

Position: Medical Laboratory Technologist (July 2011-May 2012). Generalist in hospital laboratory. Perform patient sample testing in chemistry, hematology, serology, immunohematology, and microbiology.