The Department of Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine educates medical students, graduate students, clinical residents and fellows in pathology and is committed to improving our specialties through impassioned teaching and instruction, innovative research and excellence in patient services though our affiliated care facilities.
Message from the Chair
The last six months have been a dynamic period for the Department of Pathology at Northwestern, with many transitions, changing faces and new initiatives. The Covid-19 pandemic has been changing in its dominant variant and its severity over the past few months, with lower infection frequencies and many less hospitalizations, but concerns about upticks in case numbers persist. We will continue evolve our work safety responses in the healthcare and university settings and have close communication with administration for implementing new policies.
Of course we are now entering the summer months, which means transitions for many individuals and the annual renewal of the Department. Many of our Residents will be transitioning to Fellowships and many of our Fellows will be starting their first permanent positions. We are fortunate to have such strong training programs, with nearly all of our graduates taking excellent positions that were their first among many choices. We have a new group of incoming Residents and Fellows as well, and we can’t wait to work with them more closely. We also are welcoming in 8 new faculty members over the next 3 months, so expect to see a lot of new faces. The talent in our Department continues to grow and we will soon need to find new offices. These are problems that are good to have.
We had a remarkable outing in Los Angeles at the USCAP meeting in March, two years after the last one in Los Angeles, which was in March of 2020, just as the pandemic was starting. This year was a big success for the Department and we had lots of representation, with numerous poster and platform presentations, companion societies, evening specialty sessions and short courses. We hosted a booth at the Fellowship Fair that was big, bold and received a lot of attention and many visitors. We also hosted an Alumni Party that was a great time after some initial hiccups by our hotel partners.
Our Department has moved forward on many new laboratory technologies and integration efforts in esoteric testing that demonstrate our national leadership as a Department. We were one of the first to implement DNA methylation testing for brain tumors and plan to more fully develop this technology for other cancers. We are now also able to offer Next Generation (NGS) Testing in Oncology on a gene panel that includes 505 genes, which is state-of-the art. Our laboratory integration across our hospital laboratories has made significant progress, with flow cytometry for our entire healthcare system now performed in our centralized laboratory on Galter 7. Centralized cytogenetics and molecular testing including NGS and DNA methylation will soon be available across our entire healthcare system.
Transitions are wonderful in academic pathology, and luckily our transitions have us moving in a very positive direction thanks to all you do.
USCAP 2022 Highlights
After a virtual hiatus due to COVID-19, USCAP returned to a hybrid modality in March in Los Angeles. Peng Ji, MD, PhD was awarded the Ramzi S. Cotran Young Investigator Award, an honor that recognizes a USCAP member under 45 who has significantly contributed to the understanding of human disease.
New Residents 2022
Methylation Profiling Arrives at Northwestern
The use of DNA methylation profiling as an aid for the diagnosis of brain tumors has gone live at Northwestern, one of the first organizations to implement this ground-breaking technology. Led by Craig Horbinski, MD, PhD, Lawrence Jennings, MD, PhD, and Lucas Santana dos Santos, PhD, this initiative has already revolutionized the fields of molecular diagnostics and oncology for brain tumors. The technology classifies brain tumors based on the methylation modifications of specific genes within the sample, which are highly specific for individual tumor types. While the ultimate goal is to use this technology broadly, the current approach is focused on brain tumors, with validation for sarcomas in the works. DNA methylation profiling of brain tumors leads to more accurate diagnoses, especially for challenging cases, resulting in better patient care and outcomes. Serving as a prime example of the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, methylation profiling opens the door to an entirely novel field of research and clinical care.
LATEST NEWS
Mayo Clinic Chairman Visits Northwestern Pathology
Dr. William Morice, Chairman of Mayo Pathology & President of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, visited to present a special lecture on laboratory integration and the future of clinical laboratories to Northwestern Medicine partners.
Weinberg Awarded Emerging-Generation Award
Samuel Weinberg, MD, PhD (PGY-3) is an inaugural recipient of the Emerging-Generation Awards from the American Society for Clinical Investigation. This award recognizes physician-scientists who are engaged in meaningful research prior to having a faculty appointment.
Nayar named Vice President of the Executive Committee for The American Board of Pathology
Ritu Nayar, MD, was was named Vice President of the Executive Committee for The American Board of Pathology. The American Board of Pathology is the leading organization in certifying physicians in pathology.
Pathology Launches General Surgical Pathology Fellowship
The Department of Pathology has launched a General Surgical Pathology Fellowship led by Borislav Alexiev, MD. The program is designed to provide comprehensive advanced training in diagnostic surgical pathology, including standard diagnostic practices, immunohistochemistry and specialized techniques such as cytogenetics and molecular pathology.
What's Next for Our Graduates?
- Dr. Suzanne Iwaz: Pathologist in Cook County Health System at Stroger Hospital
- Dr. Sharlene See: Dermatopathology Fellow, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Dr. Lukas Streich: Hematopathology Fellow, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR (2022-2023); Surgical Pathology Fellow, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR (2023-2024)
- Dr. Eduard Matkovic: Assistant Professor of Pathology, University of Wisconsin at Madison
- Dr. JayJay Blanco: Molecular Pathologist, Tempus Labs, Inc., Chicago, IL
- Dr. Amandeep Kaur: Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellow, University of Chicago
- Dr. Josean Ramos: Surgical Pathology Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Dr. Daniel Hodges: Pathologist, St. Luke’s Health Network, Bethlehem, PA\
- Dr. Jessica Nguyen: Gastrointestinal/Liver Pathology Fellow, Northwestern University
- Dr. Taylor Bronson: Assistant Professor of Pathology, Northwestern University
- Dr. Lucy Fu: Hematopathology Fellow, Northwestern University
- Dr. Ian Gelarden: Cytopathology Fellow, Northwestern University
- Dr. Michael Swete: Cytopathology Fellow, Northwestern University
- Dr. Matthew McCord: Advanced Training & Research in Pathology Fellow, Northwestern University
- Dr. David Escobar: Assistant Professor of Pathology, Northwestern University
- Dr. Jessica Gulliver: Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pathology Graduation
The Department of Pathology will be celebrating the accomplishments of graduating trainees on June 3.
Monday Noon Conferences
Monday Noon Conferences are designed to provide Northwestern faculty and trainees with further education in special topics within pathology. The Pathology Departments hosts two types of Monday Noon Conferences: outside speakers invited by faculty and Calandra speakers, which are student research presentations. On Monday June 6, the Department will host a special session on DEI initiatives in the Department.
Grand Rounds
The Northwestern Pathology Grand Rounds Lecture Series attracts some of the highest caliber experts in the field of pathology. We have hosted renowned thought leaders in policy, business, and research.
Remembering Dr. Alex Feldman
The Department of Pathology mourns the loss of Dr. Alexander Feldman. Alex joined Northwestern in July 2019 as a Neuropathology Fellow. He graduated last summer with the highest praise and gratitude from his preceptors for his intelligence, spirit, and dedication as a neuropathologist. An outstanding teacher and a great friend to many in the Department, he is missed dearly. An obituary and memorial fund for Alex can be found here.
Contact Us
The Department of Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine welcomes your questions and feedback.
Special thanks to the Feinberg Office of Communications for initial design work.
Credits:
Created with images by kkolosov - "analysis biochemistry biologist" • steheap - "Chicago Skyline at sunset from the Observatory" • stockdevil - "MRI brain : Brain tumor at right parietal lobe"