Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Medical Center

Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Residency Program

South bay Conference

Pathology internet resources

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

General Information

Our Pathology Department:  The residency program is fully ACGME accredited for 15 residents.  We have 9 full time M.D. faculty, (2 also have Ph.Ds), and 3 Ph.D. faculty members in the Clinical Pathology Division.  Our residents come from varied backgrounds, and include physicians with previous internships, practice in other areas of Medicine and Ph.D. research experience.  The Department has 10 clerical staff and 130 laboratory technicians and technical staff.  The computer Hospital Information System is integrated into the primary reporting process of both Clinical and Anatomic Pathology specimens; a wide variety of computer-based Pathology educational materials are provided on site for resident use and access to Internet educational resources is provided.

Anatomic Pathology Division:  Case loads of 11000 surgical pathology specimens per year, 9600 cytopathology specimens, 250  electron microscopy specimens and 80 autopsies are typical.   Six full time faculty handle all case work and supervise teaching in their specialty areas of GI, dermatology and soft tissue, GYN, neuropathology, pulmonary and breast, and GU/endocrine.  Pathology residents perform many fine needle aspiration biopsies as well as participating in interpretation of the specimens on Cytopathology.  In hospital autopsy experience and forensic pathology training are augmented by a required rotation at the Los Angeles County Coroner’s facility in the PGY 4.   

AP microscopic teaching conferences are conducted 3 or 4 days per week, and autopsy review conference once weekly for all residents.  Electives are provided for all residents in areas such as GYN, GI, dermpath, cytopathology and research, principally in the PGY 3 to 5 year.  Research projects are encouraged and supported, through the process of publication. 

Clinical Pathology Division:  This division has three Ph.Ds and  three M.D. faculty.  The Microbiology section handles 100000 specimens each year, providing culture, microscopic and sensitivity results on all types of specimens.  Residents analyze unknown specimens as well as atttend lectures and infectious disease rounds during a three month rotation.  Clinical Chemistry  handles 3000000 specimens yearly; residents also receive training in laboratory management and quality assurrance while participating in the three month Chemistry rotation.  Hematology training totals 6 months of rotation on this service.  Approximately XXX bone marrow specimens and flow cytometry specimens are examined yearly.   The Harbor-UCLA Transfusion Medicine section operates a full-service blood bank including donor center and plasmapheresis on site.