Pathways to Excellence URMC DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE | WWW. PATHOLOGY. URMC. EDU | SUMMER 2021
Residents Irene Chen, Leah Militello, and Dingani Nkosi in the newly renovated resident room at SMH, which combines individual and communal space.
room to explore Residents work to discover their dream jobs – building lifelong relationships along the way Summer marks the beginning of a new academic year as we welcome a new class of residents taking the first step in their professional exploration. In many ways, relationships – with peers, mentors, and even subspecialties – are what truly fuel the experience for our department’s residency program. Notably, our training opportunities reflect the same growth we see in daily clinical workload; there are 20 total spots and opportunities to customize one’s training to AP, CP, or research. Our department also offers an impressive slate of 10 post-residency fellowships. This sort of growth, both of the program and opportunities for our pathologists-in-training, does not happen in a vacuum. Linda Schiffhauer, who has served as program director since 2019 after five
years as associate director, says being actively involved in the process is extremely rewarding. “My favorite part of the job is seeing them come and develop their passion throughout those years,” Schiffhauer said. “Being a part of that process as a mentor, and watching them grow is so satisfying.”
HOW WE GOT HERE We have been able to accommodate more trainees thanks to an explosion in surgical volumes and successful administrative lobbying. In 1992, the ACGME gave our department the green light to host 21 residents, but URMC consistently capped this Continued on page 2
IN THIS ISSUE Room to Explore............................................................... 2
New Residents.................................................................. 4
From the Chair.................................................................. 3
Research News.................................................................. 5
Education News................................................................ 3
Focus on Faculty................................................................ 6
ROOM TO EXPLORE
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around 16 for many years. That changed in 2020, when the She noted several facets of training that made URMC department’s request to expand that number to 20 over four years attractive – including robust clinical service and ample research was approved. opportunities – but was impressed with the emphasis on the More people in the program means more access to expert individual resident’s needs instead of the other way around. As a training alongside faculty who are leaders in their area of interest. result, our graduates come out of the program feeling energized Residency is a time of exploration, and the program is structured about their work, and do remarkably well wherever they land. to maximize their exposure to different specialties. Making that “I think our education program really puts the emphasis on experience customizable is crucial in steering trainees toward a what the trainees need and ensuring these needs are met,” said fulfilling career, Schiffhauer explains. Agostini-Vulaj. “They allow a particular trainee’s curriculum to “Our mission is not to create academic pathologists out of be tailored to their specific interests and career goals, with a very everybody,” she said. “Our whole philosophy is that we want a successful mentoring program.” personalized experience to usher them along in any path they choose.” TAKING WELLNESS TO HEART One recent addition to the training experience is a boot camp Earlier this year, the program was pleased to open the doors to rotation for all incoming PGY-1’s that includes eight weeks of a new resident room in the 2-2100 suite at Strong Hospital. The immersive experiences in both AP and CP before they begin their newly renovated space has a mixture of individual and group space regular rotations. This kind of early exposure is one way residents where trainees can work or simply socialize during their downtime. can learn what captures their interest before choosing something The new room was designed after obtaining survey input – specific to pursue later on. not only from our own residents, but more than 30 residency Bahadir Yildiz is a second-year resident who says he came into programs across the U.S. Their findings pointed to the need for a the program with an open mind. After finishing his first year, he’s space that mixed individual and group space. Then chief resident, set on doing forensics after residency with the goal of working Anna-Karoline Israel, was successful in publishing an abstract in a medical examiner’s office on this topic, co-authored “I think our education program someday. He was drawn with several faculty, that was really puts the emphasis on what the trainees to URMC because of the accepted to USCAP 2020. specimen volume, abundance need and ensuring these needs are met.” This data-driven decision of PA’s and supportive to create a workspace comes - Diana Agostini-Vulaj, D.O., faculty member and program graduate environment. as we prepare to move certain “The thing that made it shine for me was seeing the close AP services offsite to the central laboratory on Bailey Road in the relationship between the residents, attendings and other staff,” said next few years, and it made sense to create a space at URMC while Yildiz. “They really looked like family and I felt like I could easily plans continue to take shape. The space not only helps residents get along with the people here.” get work done, but gives them an informal setting to enjoy each Others who have come through the program echo these other’s company along the way. sentiments years later. Diana Agostini-Vulaj was chief resident “It’s about wellness,” said Schiffhauer. “For them to just relax (2015-16) and joined our GI faculty after staying to complete her from the pressures of work and build bonds that will last after they fellowship at URMC. For her, staying in Rochester was an exciting leave the program not only helps them, but ultimately impacts next step as she joined the ranks alongside her longtime teachers their care of patients,” she said. “We are deeply invested in both of and mentors. those things.”
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! OUTGOING RESIDENTS
OUTGOING FELLOWS
Bennett Wilson Buffalo VA, faculty Anna-Karoline Israel Cleveland Clinic, H&N fellowship Chelsea Milito ME – Philadelphia, Forensic fellow Numbereye Numbere URMC, Surgical Pathology fellow Michael Karasick NYC Blood Bank Center, TM fellow
Hani Katerji: URMC, Breast faculty Roula Katerji URMC, GI faculty Alexandra Danakas URMC Breast fellow, then URMC faculty Cynthia Reyes Barron Dermatopathology faculty, El Paso, TX Andrew Cameron URMC, Microbiology faculty Nivedita Suresh General pathologist at Cancer Institution Hospital, India
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FROM THE CHAIR
A
Bruce Smoller, M. D.
IN BRIEF JOIN US ON THE MELIORA COLLECTIVE GROUP Our department now has a group on the University’s new professional networking site called the Meliora Collective. The group, “Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Alumni + Friends” is a place to connect with current and former members of our department. You can join the group by going online to: https://bit. ly/35QSXSD. If you’re not a member of the Meliora Collective yet, you’ll be prompted to create a free account to get started.
s we emerge from winter, there appears to be a bright future ahead for our department. We have had a successful recruiting season for both faculty and I continue to have the same excited feelings of renewal each year at this time as we embark upon the next academic year. I will be starting my eighth year as Chair here in Rochester and it continues to be a wonderful place for me. There are always new trainees who bring the enthusiasm associated with the start of an exciting journey. This year we welcome four new first year residents, as well as two upper level residents who will transfer into our program. We had a spectacular match season and our faculty are quite excited. In addition, we now have a wide range of fellowship offerings. This year, we will welcome the second dermatopathology fellow and our first Laboratory Management fellow. This latter program, a joint effort between the Simon School of Business and our residency program, is a two-year fellowship that we believe is the first such program in the country. We also have a large number of new faculty members joining our ranks this year. The influx is due to a higher than normal turnover rate, as well as a large growth in programmatic needs. The new members of the team include Drs. Roula Katerji, Yangsheng Hao and Sarah Findeis (GI), Hani Katerji (Breast/Gyn), Philip McMullen (Autopsy, Cardiac, and Thoracic), Andrew Cameron (Microbiology), Siba El Hussein (Hematopathology), Arash Lahoutiharahdashi (Cytopathology), Audrey Jajosky (Molecular) and Paul Hosking (Transfusion Medicine, Hematopathology). All are subspecialty-trained and come from truly wonderful training programs. It will make for an exciting – and busy – year. The planning for the relocation of many anatomic pathology services to the building at Bailey Road continues in earnest. We hope to finish the planning mode during this calendar year and hopefully to begin construction soon thereafter. The plan is to expand upon the facility that houses many of our clinical laboratories, adding abundant new laboratory and office space to house our non-time sensitive anatomic pathology functions. This will further decrease our footprint in Strong Memorial Hospital as the administration continues its work on building a new inpatient bed tower and emergency department facility. I remain hopeful that we will be moving into beautiful quarters that will enable us to continue to grow for the next decades. Dr. Aaron Huber was recently promoted by the medical school to the rank of Associate Professor and within the department, Dr. Christa Whitney-Miller, the Vice Chair for Anatomic Pathology promoted Aaron to the position of Director of Surgical Pathology. In recent years, Dr. Huber has won the teaching award given by the residents and the Chair’s award for outstanding contributions to the department, so these more formal promotions are more than warranted. Things at the medical center remain quite busy, as we still house a significant number of Covid inpatients. The routine, non-Covid related work continues not only apace, but at increased rates from pre-Covid times, so the department is swamped with work. As I have done many times before, I think it imperative that I publicly thank the members of our faculty and staff for all of their efforts in continuing to make our department a great one.
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EDUCATION NEWS MARKING THE END OF A FRUITFUL ACADEMIC YEAR AS ANOTHER BEGINS This time of year is always busy in was awarded the Judy Miller Aspiring Pathology Education. Across our Leader Award. And Ha Phan was awarded programs, we say farewell to those the Dr. Tai Kwong Academic Excellence graduating, while preparing ourselves to Award. welcome a new batch of students to a The residency, fellowship, and number of programs including our Ph.D. graduate programs also had successful and medical laboratory technologist graduations this spring. Within the (CMT) programs, residency, and Ph.D. program, Trae Carroll received fellowships. While saying goodbye to the award for Academic Excellence. many of our graduates can seem sad at Andrea Amitrano received the award for times, the end of the academic year gives Outstanding Scientific Contribution and us a chance to also say thank you and Dr. Katherine Best received the Robert celebrate great achievements. Mooney Award for Outstanding Thesis. Throughout this newsletter and other There were many awards provided by the Jennifer Findeis-Hosey, M.D. departmental communications, you will residents during their annual celebration. notice some of the accolades and awards of the past few It was wonderful to see so many of our faculty and staff months. While there are far too many to note here, consider being recognized, including Dr. Bruce Smoller who received this a snapshot of all of the great work happening in the the Eric A. Schenk Award for Excellence in Teaching. department: I would like to thank all of you for your contributions The CMT program graduated 13 students, including 11 to our educational programs. As an academic medical that are staying on to join our staff – welcome to the team! institution, we have a wonderful opportunity to blend Nichole Mulyca was awarded the Dr. Tai Kwong Excellence together the areas of ‘education,’ ‘clinical,’ and ‘research.’ in Teaching Award for her outstanding efforts in educating This could not be done without you. Thank you! and mentoring future medical technologists. Shaelyn Earley
WELCOME TO OUR NEW RESIDENTS! JUWAIRIYA ARSHI Hometown: Hyderabad, India Medical school: Deccan College of Medical Sciences Fun fact about you? I know five different languages.
BEN GERTSEN Hometown: Ridgefield, WA Medical school: UR School of Medicine and Dentistry Fun fact about you? Ran a 100-miler during my time as post-sophomore fellow at URMC Pathology.
KYLA JORGENSON Hometown: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Medical school: American University of the Caribbean Fun fact about you? In the four years of medical school I lived in four countries (Saint Martin, England, Canada, U.S.) and four states (NY, TX, MD, AZ).
CANSU KARAKAS Hometown: Izmir, Turkey Medical school: Ege University School of Medicine Fun fact about you? I have a goal to start a URMC Pathology basketball team and start an informal tournament! I’m always up for sports or activities and love any kind of physical challenge.
KRISTIN RYBSKI Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI Medical school: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Fun fact about you? My most memorable summer is the one I spent studying abroad in Santiago de Compostela.
TIFFANY SHEGANOSKI Hometown: Delran, NJ Medical school: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Fun fact about you? I have been skydiving three times and recently became certified in technical scuba diving and cavern diving. I love adventures and nurturing my inner child! 4
FOCUS ON FACULTY to pathology but there’s also an art in communicating the reports to the clinicians,” he explained. “Your goal is to provide a consult service to help clinicians and guide their management, so I try to emphasize that non-medical nuance.” In June of this year, he received the Chair’s Award for his “fantastic contributions to his various services during a pandemic and during an acute shortage of personnel.” On the research front, Jean-Gilles has collaborated with colleagues in Radiology and Urology in translational research
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projects and hopes to do more Cytology related work in the near future. Outside of work, he and his family enjoy being outdoors, playing sports, and family board games. He is also an avid solo board game player – a niche hobby that’s grown in popularity during quarantine. Games like Anachrony and Robinson Crusoe offer a healthy alternative to video games. “It has problem solving and makes you read more,” he said. “I always want to read more, and this allows you to read while scratching that puzzle-solving itch.”
RESEARCH NEWS SYMPOSIUM PUTS DATA-DRIVEN WORK ON DISPLAY Recently, I have been part of a conversation with my heard from keynote speaker, Dr. James Kirkland, an colleagues about the value of a new type of testing that expert gerontologist and longtime researcher into the is being debated. Some believe the new test is valuable biology of aging. Among several highlights, Dr. Kirkland’s and should be employed post-haste, while others believe talk reminded us of the importance of rigorous clinical that further study is warranted and the test’s clinical trials in assessing the value of interventions in diseases of utility needs to be better established before it’s used as a aging, an area where untested “wellness” approaches are diagnostic tool. These conversations have been a reminder sometimes held up as having value despite a lack of data of why we do research – to establish whether a hypothesis, to back up such claims. however logical and reasoned it may be, has true validity During the symposium, we also heard about the in real-world practice. research being conducted by our residents On that backdrop, I want to highlight alongside their clinical training. Dr. a new publication in the New England Bennett Wilson won first place honors Journal of Medicine that challenges current for his assessment of “Negative Urine practice in the field of platelet transfusion. Cytology and the Rate of Diagnostic Corresponding author and Transfusion Agreement between Cytotechnologist Medicine Director, Dr. Neil Blumberg, and Cytopathologist…,” which argued along with Associate Director Dr. Majed that there may be an appropriate role for Refaai, PGY-2 resident Dr. Andrew cytotechs in signing out negative urine Cardillo and collaborators at URMC testing. Dr. Chauncey Syposs received demonstrate that the UMRC practice of an award for his work on “Differential both leukoreduction and ABO matching Expression of DLL3 in Merkel Cell of platelets dramatically reduces the need Carcinoma Primary Tumors and for HLA-matched platelets as compared Metastases,” a study of the Notch pathway to rates in the published literature. These receptor Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) in Helene McMurray, Ph.D. data will hopefully influence practice, these cancers. Finally, Dr. Cardillo took which will benefit patients who require platelets by both third prize for his informatics-oriented work on “Inincreasing the likelihood that an unmatched platelet Silico Testing: Accurately Predicting Results of the Direct transfusion will provide support and by limiting the Antiglobulin Test using Commonly Available Lab Data.” number of patients who cannot successfully receive We applaud the important contributions to the platelet support due to the lack of matched products. biomedical literature from Drs. Wilson, Syposs, Cardillo Kudos to Dr. Blumberg and his co-authors for doing the and all of our trainees and their mentors. As bestwork to demonstrate the value in their approach and for expressed by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, “Without data, pushing for improvement in current practice. you’re just another person with an opinion.” The value of research was also highlighted at our recent Pathology Research Day symposium, wherein we
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Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Rochester Medical Center 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 626 Rochester, NY 14642
FOCUS ON FACULTY: JEROME JEAN-GILLES JR., M.D. Finding your place professionally is a journey that all physicians experience during their careers. For Jerome JeanGilles, M.D., this journey began with the desire to do something fulfilling and hands-on. The Brooklyn native initially started with a dream of becoming an architect. While in college his focus shifted to medicine, and it was during medical school at SUNY Downstate, that his thought of becoming a pediatrician evolved to being a surgeon. The road to pathology continued during his one-year surgical internship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He was encouraged to explore pathology as a career option by a pathology resident who befriended him during his internship year. While apprehensive at first, (“I could barely look in a microscope with two eyes!”) he shadowed the friend for a week and soon recognized that pathology had the same allure of surgery. He could see it was challenging, rewarding, and allowed space to have a good work/life balance. Today, he couldn’t be more grateful for the path he chose. “The job satisfaction, as far as making a career choice, is off the charts,”
said Jean-Gilles. “I feel like my life would’ve been completely different had I hadn’t made the hard choice to not commit to the path I was going down.” After finishing residency at Brown University and a cytopathology fellowship at U. Massachusetts, he began searching for GU fellowships in the Northeast. That’s how he learned about Rochester. He was accepted into URMC’s GU training program and the following year found himself accepting an offer for a permanent spot on the faculty in 2013. He and his wife Deepika, an emergency medicine physician whom he met in medical school, then put down roots. They currently live in Pittsford with their children Sajen, 10, and Jaya, 8. At URMC, Jean-Gilles came full circle, serving as the GU fellowship director for six years. He currently serves as interim director of Cytopathology – a role he was appointed to in 2019. The transition from fellow to attending, to leading a busy subspecialty section has come with much growth. Shedding the “mentee mentality,” he admits, takes a few years as you gain confidence through repetition and experience. That confidence is critical for all pathologists to help steer patient care behind the scenes, and clear communication is critical in order for them to be effective. “With my trainees, I try to emphasize that there’s a science Continued on Page 5 URMC DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE 6
