Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: Education & Training > Fellowship Programs > Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship

Program Overview

The Genitourinary (GU) Pathology Fellowship program provides extensive exposure and in-depth evaluation of non-neoplastic and neoplastic specimens from the kidney, urinary bladder, prostate and testis. At the conclusion of the fellowship year, the fellow is expected to:

Be sufficiently skilled in GU pathology to perform independently in a practice setting.
Understand the wide range of diagnostic pitfalls and approaches to recognizing and minimizing diagnostic errors in GU pathology.
Have the skills to organize and complete a laboratory-based and/or translational clinical research project.
Have developed the necessary teaching skills and experience to serve as a competent mentor to junior colleagues.

Participation at pathology and clinical conferences and teaching of younger trainees is required. GU pathology fellows are encouraged to engage in research projects with the intent to present their work at national meetings and publish their work.

The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine accepts one genitourinary pathology fellow per year. UC Irvine establishes PGY levels for new fellows based on the successful completion of all prerequisite training required for entry into your fellowship program.

Application Process

At this time, we are not accepting new applications. Applications are on hold until further notice. Please check back for updates.

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have:

Completed a four-year AP/CP residency or a three-year AP residency
Board-certification or be board-eligible in AP or AP/CP
A California medical license before beginning the fellowship
U.S. citizenship or Permanent Resident Card. J-1 and H1-B visas are not supported.

Your application should include the following:

UC Irvine CAP standardized application with supplemental form
Current curriculum vitae
Three letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Dean’s letter (MSPE)
Medical school diploma with English translation
Medical school transcript
USMLE scores (Step 1, Step 2CK, Step 2CS and Step 3) or COMLEX scores (Level 1, Level 2-CE, Level 2-PE and Level 3)
ECFMG (if applicable)
Previous ACGME training certificates (if applicable)

Interview Process

Interviews are arranged by an email invitation after a thorough review of completed applications. Interviews occur between August and September. We do not participate in the Unified Approach.

Knowledge of common clinical procedures and their medical application and correlation with pathology specimens: cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, percutaneous kidney biopsy, transrectal ultrasound systematic and targeted prostate biopsy, ablation of renal tumors, genitourinary resections, abdominal CT and MRI, prostate MRI and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS).
Knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures, including special staining techniques, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular diagnosis, particularly in relation to GU specimens.
Knowledge of common special stains and immunohistochemical stains pertinent to GU pathology.
Knowledge of major genetic disorders of the GU system and associated diagnostic tests.
Knowledge of how to work up and diagnose GU conditions.
Knowledge regarding formulating a differential diagnosis for GU conditions, including appropriate grading and staging systems.
Knowledge about utilizing a variety of resources to investigate clinical questions.
Ability to maintain and update medical knowledge, including routine use of primary references and appropriate monographs in preparation of diagnostic reports, with citations when appropriate, including use of references in preparation for weekly interdepartmental conferences.
Regular participation in GU clinical conferences (listed in the curriculum).

Accurate assessment of clinical histories and procurement of additional information when necessary for GU cases.
Accurate interpretation of diagnostic information and test results in reference to accurate diagnosis and case management.
Advise clinicians and fellow pathology colleagues on the choice of clinically appropriate, cost-effective tests.
Advise clinicians on appropriate follow-up for unexpected test results.

To develop proficiency in presentation of GU pathology findings to pathologists, residents and clinicians.
To learn to communicate effectively with surgeons and clinicians about GU pathologic diagnoses.
To prepare accurate, effective, concise written reports.

To demonstrate respect, compassion and integrity in encounters with patients, clinicians, other fellows, residents and staff in the practice of pathology.
To complete written reports in a timely fashion.
To work effectively as a team with technical and administrative staff and treat technical and administrative staff with respect.
To participate effectively in GU pathology teaching conferences.
To participate effectively in multidisciplinary conferences that include GU pathology presentations.

To select appropriate, effective special studies for GU pathology cases.
To understand safety in GU pathology and the role of OSHA in setting workplace safety standards.
To understand the use of laboratory informatics systems in anatomic pathology for ordering, reporting, quality assurance and billing purposes.
To apply current tumor staging and grading systems and understand the role of these in data collection for tumor registries and national cancer databases.

To use case-based learning as a tool for additional insights into disease pathogenesis.
To locate, appraise and assimilate pertinent evidence from scientific studies.
To demonstrate effective problem-solving skills in surgical pathology, using a variety of information resources.
To ultimately develop diagnostic skills that allow for independent subspecialty-level sign-out of GU pathology cases.
To develop the knowledge base to serve as an expert consultant of GU pathology.

Benefits

Fellows receive 24 days of vacation. Benefits that apply to Genitourinary Pathology fellows include two white coats provided for the entire training, a $120 per month meal allowance for the UCIMC Cafeteria and up to $1,500 in reimbursements for education and conference fees. Fellows also receive additional benefits that are valid strictly from July 1 to June 30 each year of training. Funding is not rolled over year to year.

Priti Chandal — Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship student

Priti Chamdal, MD

Priti grew up in Anaheim Hills, California and went on to earn her medical degree from the Medical University of Lublin in Poland. She served as Chief Resident and Resident Well-being Coordinator in the Department of Pathology at Westchester Medical Center in New York before completing a Cytopathology fellowship at UC Irvine. Her professional interests include fine-needle aspiration cytology and the dynamic intersection of diagnostic and procedural pathology. Outside of medicine, she is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new cultures and cuisines, painting, reading and gardening.

No past fellows at this time.

Shivani Kandukuri, MD

Associate Professor — Pathology

Connect with Us

For questions about our Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship program, please contact our fellowship coordinator.

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Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship