Specialty: Pathology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID #120

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Where will the rotation take place: This US clinical experience will take place in Brooklyn at the physician's office.

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Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30 AM to 6 PM (except for Wednesday which is a day off). All time will be spent in Brooklyn with the exception of Monday when you will be at the Staten Island office. 

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: This is an outpatient experience under the supervision of a board-certified pathologist who has held academic affiliations with NYU School of Medicine and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. You will also have the opportunity to work with his pathologist colleague. 

 

Learners will have the opportunity to observe the physician as he interacts with patients presenting with lesions of the thyroid gland, breast, and other tissues. Following the patient interview, the affected area is examined by ultrasound, a target site is identified, and then the FNA is performed. Observers will be able to see how the slide is prepared and then participate in sign out. In many cases, a diagnosis is established later that same day. The typical day will be split into three parts:

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Fine Needle Aspiration

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Rotators will observe how the pathologist performs fine needle aspiration procedures. The steps involved include taking the patient history, explaining the process of the FNA procedure to patients, using ultrasound to measure the lesion, performing the procedure, staining the specimens, and reading it using the microscope. 

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​Slide Preview/Diagnosis

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After the spcimen is obtained, you will have the chance to preview all slides with the pathologist. You will learn how to make diagnoses and order and interpret special stains, genetic tests, and flow cytometry when needed. 

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Final Review

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You will perform a final review of the slides with both pathologists at the end of the day. Following this, the pathologist will call patients to inform them of the diagnosis and discuss next steps. The referring clinicians will also be called. 

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There may also be opportunities to spend time in the lab observing lab technicians as they work with gross specimens (thyroid, breast, lymph nodes, skin, GI), fixing, dehydration, paraffin, embedding, and cutting. 

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​Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in Pathology. Other learners that may find this rotation appealing are aspiring endocrinologists as well as IMGs who wish to learn how to perform these FNA procedures in their native countries. 

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​How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.