College of Veterinary Medicine - Cornell University

Residency in Clinical Pathology

The clinical pathology residency is a 3-year program designed to give advanced training in veterinary clinical pathology and laboratory medicine. Residents are trained under the close guidance of four board-certified clinical pathologists. We have two primary objectives for our training program. The first objective is to train residents to be outstanding clinical pathologists, who are well-versed in all aspects of clinical pathology (hematopathology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, laboratory management, applied clinical pathology research). The second objective is to inspire and encourage trainees to become academic clinical pathologists, who will contribute to the advancement and future of veterinary clinical pathology. As a result of this training, residents are well prepared for the board certification examination in Clinical Pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). Throughout this process we strive to maintain a fun and cooperative learning environment that encourages scientific curiosity, critical thinking and spirited debate.

Application to our program:
The next vacancy for a clinical pathology residency will be in July 2015 and an advertisement for this position will be posted on this site in the Fall 2014. After reviewing this information, if you have any additional questions about our program, please contact the Resident Coordinator, Dr. Heather Priest.
• General information about the requirements for applying to our program
• Information for referees

Description of the Residency Program:
During the training program, the resident will attain skills in the different disciplines of clinical pathology through:
• Diagnostic service duties.
• Teaching within the veterinary curriculum and continuing education programs.
• Hypothesis-driven applied clinical pathology research.
• A variety of structured activities, seminars and rounds within the clinical pathology lab and within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Additional information on these major areas of study during the residency is given below. A more detailed description of the residency program at Cornell can be found in this document: Residency Training Guidelines. We follow training guidelines endorsed by the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) – see links below.

Diagnostic Service Duties:
Residents participate in daily cytology/hematology read-out sessions at least two weeks a month during the first two years of the program. In consultation with the pathologist on duty, residents review and prepare diagnostic reports for clinical cases submitted to the clinical pathology laboratory. We have a rich and varied caseload from the Cornell University Hospital for Animals consisting of 73% small animals, 25% large animals and 2% exotics, in addition to a large number of cases submitted from national and international sources via the Animal Health Diagnostic Center. Training is also provided on the performance and interpretation of specialized diagnostic testing such as flow cytometry, protein electrophoresis, cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry. As the training progresses, residents are given increasing responsibility with the goal of independence (assuming full responsibility for laboratory results) during the final year of the program.

Teaching Responsibilities:
Residents are involved in a variety of teaching activities including:
• Leading small group teaching sessions for senior veterinary students.
• Assisting in the organization and teaching of a comprehensive clinical pathology course. Residents assist in the preparation and delivery of laboratory sessions during the first and second year of their residency. During the second year of the program, residents are given the opportunity to take a more active role in clinical pathology instruction through didactic lectures. In the final year of the program, residents may also moderate a large group discussion.
• Assisting in the organization and leading of clinical pathology rounds held every 2 weeks, during which recent cases of interest are presented to faculty, residents and students. We have an Aperio digital microscope which is used to scan hematology and cytology smears for this purpose.
• Assisting in the organization and teaching of continuing education seminars offered at the College of Veterinary Medicine, e.g. New York State Veterinary Conference.

Research:
The resident will perform applied clinical pathologic-related research under the supervision of the clinical pathologists beginning in the first year of the program. Prospective, hypothesis-driven research is expected and will culminate in the publication of results in a peer-reviewed journal as well as presentation of results at the annual meeting of the ACVP. During the course of their research, residents will acquire skills in study design, laboratory techniques and scientific writing. Residents are also required to take a statistical course during their training program. Residents are also encouraged to publish individual case reports, submit mystery slide cases for presentation at the annual meeting of the ACVP, and participate in collaborative research with other members of the college community. For further information on research interests of the current faculty and research projects undertaken by current and previous residents refer to the information provided below under the clinical pathology team.

Structured activities, seminars and rounds:
The residency training program is structured, with the residents spending substantial quality time with all board-certified clinical pathologists. These structured activities are designed to give residents thorough training for success in a variety of career opportunities in clinical pathology by enhancing diagnostic skills, providing access to infrequent disorders that may not be encountered during the residency, and assisting in preparation for the board certification examination by the ACVP. These activities include:
• Weekly case seminars: Residents are given cytology, hematology or surgical biopsy cases for description and interpretation. Starting in the second year, residents are encouraged to write a “board-style” description and interpretation.
• Biweekly or monthly chemistry case reviews: Residents are given clinical chemistry data for interpretation and critical discussion. Starting in the second year, residents are encouraged to write a “board-style” interpretation.
• Biweekly or monthly cytology-histology correlate sessions: Residents and faculty participate in the review and comparison of cytology and histopathology findings of cases, some of which are controversial and challenging.
• Weekly seminars on special topics in clinical pathology: Each member of the clinical pathology team (residents and faculty) rotates leading discussions on principles of clinical pathology. These seminars may include review of journal articles, methodologies or other topics relating to laboratory medicine.
• Residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of other seminars and rounds held within the College of Veterinary Medicine (e.g. oncology rounds, tumor board, neuropathology rounds, wildlife pathology rounds, infectious disease forums).

To facilitate training, we have a wealth of archived resources that are available for directed and self-study. These resources include:
• An extensive textbook-based and on-line library.
• An extensive image database, including Aperio-digitally scanned slides.
• Powerpoint presentations, lecture notes, and course notes from continuing education seminars held at Cornell University or obtained from other meetings
• Slide sets:
      o Resident training slides (hematology, cytology and surgical biopsy) that encompass
         interesting or challenging cases.
      o Extensive archived hematology and chemistry slides from routine diagnostic evaluation    
         including samples from normal tissues.
      o Mystery slide sets from ASVCP meetings.
• Examples of normal and abnormal results, including artifacts using the following techniques:
      o ADVIA hematology analyzer
      o Protein electrophoresis
      o Flow cytometry
• Complete case material from interesting cases (representing all species)

The Clinical Pathology Team:
In addition to the faculty and residents listed below, the clinical pathology team consists of a laboratory manager, 7 medical technologists and 2 administrative assistants. We all work together as a team to provide excellent service to our clients while maintaining a stimulating and fulfilling work environment.

Faculty: 
Tracy Stokol, DVM, PhD, DACVP
(Clinical Pathology): Associate Professor
Research interests: Hemostasis, oncology, laboratory management

Deanna Schaefer, DVM, MS, MT (ASCP), DACVP
(Clinical Pathology): Lecturer
Research interests: Hematopathology

Heather Priest, DVM, DACVP
(Clinical Pathology): Lecturer, Resident Coordinator
Research interests: Hematopathology, oncology, immunocytochemistry

Erica Behling-Kelly, DVM, PhD, DACVP
(Clinical Pathology): Assistant Professor
Research interests:  Lipid-based modulation of cell function, thrombosis, vascular disease

Current Residents:
Ashleigh Newman, DVM, 1st Year Resident
Research projects(s): Lipoprotein profiles in canine endocrinopathies.


Erika Gruber, DVM, 3rd Year Resident
Research project(s): Thrombin generation in canine cancer cells.
Grants and Awards: Travel award, ASVCP (2012), Young Investigator Award, ASVCP (2012).

 

Past Trainees (since 1993):
Nora Springer, DVM, 3rd Year Resident
Research project(s): Platelet-derived microparticles and thrombin generation in horses. Diagnostic utility of glutamate dehydrogenase in birds.
Grants and awards: Travel award, ASVCP (2010), Share the Future training grant, ASVCP (2010), Comparative Cancer Biology Training Grant (2010), Award of Excellence for Best Large Animal Presentation at Resident Seminary Symposium, Cornell University (2012)
Current position: PhD student, Cornell University

Seigo Ogasawara, 2007-2010
Research project(s): Effect of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and interleukin-10 on tissue factor expression in canine monocytes.
Grants and awards: Travel award, ASVCP (2009)
Current position: PhD student, Kitasato University, Japan

Heather Priest, 2006-2009
Research project(s): Transferrin receptor expression in canine lymphoma.
Grants and awards: Travel award, ASVCP (2008)
Young investigator award, ASVCP (2008)
Current position: Lecturer, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University

Amy Warren, 2006-2007
Research project(s): Effect of storage on bovine hematologic parameters.
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Calgary, Canada

Chris Mesher, 1993-1996
Current position: Phoenix Veterinary Laboratories, Seattle, USA

Publications from our residents
1. Warren A, Stokol T, Hecker K, Nydam DV (2012) Storage-associated changes in the bovine hemogram with the ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer. Comp. Clin Pathol. Accepted for publication.
2. Ogasawara S and Stokol T (2012) Canine recombinant interleukin-10 inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced upregulation of tissue factor procoagulant activity in canine peripheral blood monocytes. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 148: 331-336.
3. Ogasawara S, Daddona J, Trimpert J, Stokol T (2012) The effect of canine recombinant interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 on tissue factor procoagulant activity in canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes. Vet Clin Pathol. 41:325-335.
4. Priest H, McDonough SM, Erb H, Daddona J, Stokol T (2011) Transferrin receptor expression in canine lymphoma. Vet Pathol. 48:466-474.
5. Mesher CI, Blue JT, Guffroy MR, De Lahunta A (1996) Intracellular myelin in cerebrospinal fluid from a dog with myelomalacia. Vet Clin Pathol. 25:124-126.
6. Mesher CI (1997) What is your diagnosis? Subcutaneous nodule from a 14-month-old cat. Vet Clin Pathol. 26:4.
7. Mesher CI, Mauldin EA (1996) What is your diagnosis? Liver impression smears from 5 juvenile canaries. Vet Clin Pathol. 24:140.
8. Mesher CI, Rej R and Stokol T (1998) Alanine aminotransferase apoenzyme in dogs. Vet Clin Pathol. 24:26-30.

Ithaca and the Cornell University Community
Cornell University, a member of the Ivy League, provides an educationally diverse environment consisting of nearly 100 academic departments. Cornell is located in Ithaca on the shores of Cayuga Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. Ithaca is a vibrant city with many art museums, theaters, and a diverse selection of restaurants. It is within driving distance of several large metropolitan centers, award-winning wineries, and is a nature-lover’s paradise being surrounded by the world-famous Cornell Plantations, Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary home of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, and five breathtaking State Parks. Ithaca provides the outdoor enthusiast with ample opportunity for hiking, camping, horseback riding, swimming, sailing, bird watching, snowshoeing, and crosscountry skiing.

Housing
Information on living in Ithaca: http://www.visitithaca.com/
There is ample housing (apartments, houses, rooms) in Ithaca. Information on available housing can be found at http://www.campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/housing/
International applicants may wish to consult the International Student and Scholars Office at Cornell University website: http://www.isso.cornell.edu/students/comingtocornell.php

Useful Links
American College of Veterinary Pathologists
American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. I. Clinical chemistry.
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. II. Hematology.
Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. III. Cytopathology and surgical pathology.

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