Hematopathology Fellowship

The fellow will demonstrate ability to:

• Gather appropriate and accurate clinical information.
• Interpret laboratory test results within the clinical context.
• Use clinical decision-making concepts and techniques in interpreting results. 
• Advise clinicians on the choice of clinically appropriate, cost-effective tests.
• Advise clinicians on appropriate follow-up for unexpected test results.
• Perform bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

The fellow will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of common hematology tests and their medical application and correlation.
• Knowledge of the effects of anticoagulants, specimen collection techniques, aging of specimens, and fixatives on the various analytical techniques used in the hematology laboratory.
• Ability to collect and evaluate medical evidence regarding the utility of laboratory tests.
• Ability to use a variety of resources to investigate clinical questions.
• Development of a personal strategy to maintain and update medical knowledge regularly.

The fellow will demonstrate:

• Understanding of the role of the laboratory in the healthcare system and the importance of reliable, cost-effective and timely laboratory results in clinical decision-making. 
• Ability to work with clinicians, administrators and others to determine the role of the laboratory in specific situations to optimize patient outcomes.
• Understanding of CLIA, CAP and JCAHO requirements for clinical laboratories.
• Understanding of basic laboratory reimbursement mechanisms and regulatory requirements, including kickbacks and compliance with Medicare/Medicaid “fraud and abuse” avoidance requirements.
• Ability to do cost analysis of laboratory tests.

The fellow will demonstrate:

• Ongoing identification and remediation of gaps in personal medical knowledge.
• Understanding and ability to apply the principles of quality control and quality assurance.
• Ability to evaluate current and proposed testing methods for analytical performance, clinical utility and cost-effectiveness. 
• Use of proficiency-testing results to improve laboratory practice.
• Ability to use laboratory problems and clinical inquiries to identify process improvements that may minimize opportunities for medical errors.

The fellow will demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of ethical and privacy issues affecting the clinical laboratory.
• Maintenance of confidentiality of patient information.
• Respectful behavior toward all patients and medical personnel.
• Prompt and courteous response to all pager and telephone calls.
• Regular, punctual attendance and participation in rounds, conferences, meetings and rotation responsibilities.

The fellow will demonstrate:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clinicians, medical technologists and other medical personnel.
• Ability to use appropriate modes of communication (direct, telephone, email and written).
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations, including presentation of pathologic findings at interdisciplinary clinical conferences.

Achal Acharya, MD

Achal Acharya grew up about half of his life in the east coast (Maryland, New York and Massachusetts) and Kathmandu, Nepal. He received his medical education (MBBS) in Kathmandu at KIST Medical College. After graduating from medical school, he worked as a medical officer in a hospital in Nepal and was also a lab assistant at Kathmandu Path Lab prior to his APCP residency training at University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University. 

Acharya said he felt connected to the hemepath faculty here at UC Irvine the most when he interviewed and sensed that there was a genuine emphasis on fellow education, making this program his top choice. His research interests include plasma cell myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes and solid tumor molecular pathology. He is this year's hematopathology fellow at UC Irvine Orange Medical Center, and next year he will be at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for a molecular and genetic pathology fellowship.  

His out-of-work interests include reading, watching movies, traveling and a variety of sports. He is also an amateur sitar player.

2024-25:

Anthony Wheeler, MD

2023-24:

Truc Tran, MD

2022-23:

Ashley Gamayo, MD

2021-22:

Mathieu Pelletier, MD

2020-21:

Gabriella Cardoza-Favarato, MD

2018-19:

Jayne Healey, MD