Cytopathology Fellowship
Mission & Vision
The Cytopathology Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME- approved program. Our mission is to provide advanced, in-depth training in cytopathology. We seek to train pathologists to attain the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to become excellent cytopathologists.
Mission & Vision
The Cytopathology Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME- approved program. Our mission is to provide advanced, in-depth training in cytopathology. We seek to train pathologists to attain the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to become excellent cytopathologists.
Program Director’s Welcome
Program Director’s Welcome
Welcome to the Jackson Memorial/University of Miami Hospitals Cytopathology Fellowship Program!
On behalf of our dedicated faculty, staff, and current fellows, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you.
Our Cytopathology Fellowship Program is rooted in a rich tradition of excellence, embracing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, while fostering a holistic approach to patient care. As we navigate through the dynamic landscape of cytopathology, our primary goal remains consistent: to nurture and shape the next generation of leaders in this fascinating subspecialty.
What Makes Our Program Stand Out?
- Expert Faculty: We are fortunate to have a team of nationally and internationally recognized experts who are not only passionate about teaching but are also at the forefront of research and clinical advancements in cytopathology.
- Hands-On Experience: Our fellows gain hands-on experience in a wide array of cytopathologic specimens, from routine Pap smears to complex fine needle aspirations, preparing them for diverse career paths, whether in academic settings, private practice, industry or research.
- Research Opportunities: Research is integral to our mission. Fellows are encouraged and supported to undertake projects that interest them, leading to presentations at national meetings and publications in reputed journals.
- Innovative Curriculum: Our curriculum is a blend of traditional didactics, interactive microscopy sessions, journal clubs, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. We incorporate exposure to molecular cytopathology whenever possible and believe in customizing the learning experience based on individual fellow needs and career aspirations.
- Community and Culture: At JMH/UMH, we pride ourselves on fostering a collegial and supportive environment. Our fellows, faculty, and staff form a close-knit community where everyone’s voice is valued.
Choosing the right fellowship program is a pivotal step in your professional journey, and I sincerely hope you consider our program as your destination. We are excited about the future of cytopathology and the opportunity to mentor the next generation of pathologists.
I invite you to explore our website, get to know our faculty, and reach out with any questions. We are here to help you make an informed decision.
Thank you for considering JMH/UMH. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and introduce you to the many facets of our outstanding program.
– Dr. Roberto Ruiz-Cordero
Description
What Makes Our Program Stand Out?
- Expert Faculty: We are fortunate to have a team of nationally and internationally recognized experts who are not only passionate about teaching but are also at the forefront of research and clinical advancements in cytopathology.
- Hands-On Experience: Our fellows gain hands-on experience in a wide array of cytopathologic specimens, from routine Pap smears to complex fine needle aspirations, preparing them for diverse career paths, whether in academic settings, private practice, industry or research.
- Research Opportunities: Research is integral to our mission. Fellows are encouraged and supported to undertake projects that interest them, leading to presentations at national meetings and publications in reputed journals.
- Innovative Curriculum: Our curriculum is a blend of traditional didactics, interactive microscopy sessions, journal clubs, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. We incorporate exposure to molecular cytopathology whenever possible and believe in customizing the learning experience based on individual fellow needs and career aspirations.
- Community and Culture: At JMH/UMH, we pride ourselves on fostering a collegial and supportive environment. Our fellows, faculty, and staff form a close-knit community where everyone’s voice is valued.
Choosing the right fellowship program is a pivotal step in your professional journey, and I sincerely hope you consider our program as your destination. We are excited about the future of cytopathology and the opportunity to mentor the next generation of pathologists.
I invite you to explore our website, get to know our faculty, and reach out with any questions. We are here to help you make an informed decision.
Thank you for considering JMH/UMH. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and introduce you to the many facets of our outstanding program.
– Dr. Roberto Ruiz-Cordero
Fast Facts
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Number of Fellows per Year?
2
Duration of Fellowship?
1 year
Clinical Experience
Year 1
Fellows will spend their time at various facilities in the following areas over the course of their one-year fellowship:
23 weeks at UM Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center: Gynecological, Non-gynecological Cytology and FNA Clinics
23 weeks at Jackson Health System’s Jackson Memorial Hospital: Gynecological, Non-gynecological Cytology and FNA Clinics
2 weeks: Research
4 weeks: Vacation
Your Faculty
Monica Garcia-Buitrago, MD
Director, Gastrointestinal Pathology Service
Director, Cytopathology Fellowship and Selective Pathology – Surgical/Gastrointestinal Pathology programs
Professor, Clinical Pathology
Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, MD
Director, Head and Neck Pathology Fellowship Program
Professor, Pathology
Vice Chair and Director, Education
Merce Jorda, MD, PhD, MBA
Chief, Pathology, Jackson Health System
Director, Genitourinary Pathology
Director, Cytopathology, UHealth Tower
Interim Chair, Department of Pathology
Jaylou Velez-Torres, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pathology
Yiqin Zuo, MD, PHD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Pathology
Mehrdad Nadji, MD
Professor, Pathology
Vice Chairman, Clinical Affairs
Publications
Don’t SUMP it! Utility of PLAG1 immunocytochemistry in basaloid SUMP subcategory.
Sanchez-Avila M, Tjendra Y, Zuo Y, Ruiz-Cordero R, Garcia-Buitrago M, Jorda M, Gomez-Fernandez C, Velez Torres JM.
Cancer Cytopathol. 2023 Sep 13. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22762. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 37702124
Probability of malignancy and molecular alterations as determined by ThyroSeq v3 genomic classifier in Bethesda Category IV.
Tjendra Y, Kerr DA, Zuo Y, Menendez SG, Jorda M, Gomez-Fernandez C, Velez Torres JM.
Cancer Cytopathol. 2023 Sep;131(9):586-595. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22737. Epub 2023 Jun 26.
PMID: 37358081
A Triumvirate:: Correlating Thyroid Cytopathology, Molecular Testing, and Histopathology.
Velez Torres JM, Tjendra Y, Kerr DA.
Surg Pathol Clin. 2023 Mar;16(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2022.09.003. Epub 2022 Dec 8.
PMID: 36739157 Review.
Utility of TRPS1 in Malignant Effusion Cytology.
Tjendra Y, Millan N, Velez Torres JM, Zuo Y, Garcia-Buitrago M, Jorda M, Gomez-Fernandez CR.
Acta Cytol. 2023;67(3):273-279. doi: 10.1159/000528249. Epub 2023 Jan 12.
PMID: 36634642
Utility of high-risk HPV RNA chromogenic in situ hybridization in cytology smears and liquid-based preparations from metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Velez Torres JM, Alkathery T, Tjendra Y, Zuo Y, Kerr DA, Gomez-Fernandez C.
Cancer Cytopathol. 2023 Mar;131(3):165-170. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22659. Epub 2022 Nov 9.
PMID: 36350307
Condyloma acuminatum of the urinary tract demonstrates atypical squamous cells in urine cytology. Velez Torres JM, Zhao J, Epstein JI, Kryvenko ON.
Hum Pathol. 2022 Dec;130:110-116. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.10.006. Epub 2022 Oct 14.
PMID: 36244465
Urine Cytology Findings in Cases of Pseudocarcinomatous Urothelial Hyperplasia of the Bladder Often Represent a Diagnostic Challenge. Velez Torres JM, Gonzalez ML, Duarte EM, Zein-Sabatto B, Aron M, Gupta NS, Kerr DA, Netto GJ, Jorda M, Kryvenko ON.
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2023 Jun 1;147(6):716-721. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0125-OA.
PMID: 36191340 Review.
Utility of NR4A3 on FNA cytology smears and liquid-based preparations of salivary gland. Millan N, Tjendra Y, Zuo Y, Jorda M, Garcia-Buitrago M, Velez-Torres JM, Gomez-Fernandez C.
Cancer Cytopathol. 2022 Dec;130(12):949-954. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22632. Epub 2022 Aug 1.
PMID: 35913415
Probability of malignancy as determined by ThyroSeq v3 genomic classifier varies according to the subtype of atypia. Gajzer DC, Tjendra Y, Kerr DA, Algashaamy K, Zuo Y, Menendez SG, Jorda M, Garcia-Buitrago M, Gomez-Fernandez C, Velez Torres JM.
Cancer Cytopathol. 2022 Nov;130(11):881-890. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22617. Epub 2022 Jul 1.
PMID: 35775861
Application of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology: A Single Institutional Experience of 354 Cases with Cytologic-Histologic Correlation. Velez Torres JM, Tjendra Y, Zuo Y, Garcia-Buitrago M, Jorda M, Kerr DA, Gomez-Fernandez CR. Acta Cytol.
2022;66(6):467-474. doi: 10.1159/000525263. Epub 2022 Jun 23.
PMID: 35738234
Risk of malignancy associated with the diagnostic categories proposed by the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology for pancreaticobiliary specimens: An institutional experience. Gonzalez-Mancera MS, Ahmadian SS, Gomez-Fernandez C, Velez-Torres J, Jorda M, García-Buitrago MT. Diagn Cytopathol.
2022 Feb;50(2):49-56. doi: 10.1002/dc.24910. Epub 2021 Dec 1.
PMID: 34856075
Diagnostic Concordance of Cytology and Histology in Samples Obtained via Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Biopsy (EUS-FNB). Keihanian T, Diaz L, Plafsky L, Shergill U, Satiya J, Abraham R, Garcia-Buitrago M, Tabibian JH, Girotra M. Cureus.
2021 Jun 11;13(6):e15596. doi: 10.7759/cureus.15596. eCollection 2021 Jun.
PMID: 34277217 Free PMC article.
Cytological diagnosis of Brunner’s gland adenoma (hyperplasia): A diagnostic challenge. Ortiz Requena D, Rojas C, Garcia-Buitrago M. Diagn Cytopathol.
2021 Jun;49(6):E222-E225. doi: 10.1002/dc.24680. Epub 2020 Dec 12.
PMID: 33314802 Review.
The Paris System “atypical urothelial cells” category: can the current criteria be improved? Vosoughi A, Ordobazari A, Lora Gonzalez MA, Guido LP, Skiba M, Campuzano-Zuluaga G, Kryvenko ON, Gomez-Fernandez C, Garcia-Buitrago M, Jorda M. J Am Soc Cytopathol.
2021 Jan-Feb;10(1):3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jasc.2020.04.015. Epub 2020 Jun 5.
PMID: 32732113
Challenges and opportunities in lymph node FNA: Insights from the DELYCYUS study. Ruiz-Cordero R. Cancer Cytopathol.
2023 Aug 11. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22740. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 37566098 No abstract available.
Small volume biopsy diagnostic yield at initial diagnosis versus recurrence/transformation of follicular lymphoma: A retrospective Cyto-Heme Interinstitutional Collaborative study.
Fitzpatrick MJ, Sundaram V, Ly A, Abramson JS, Balassanian R, Cheung MC, Cook SL, Falchi L, Frank AK, Gupta S, Hasserjian RP, Lin O, Long SR, Menke JR, Mou E, Reed DR, Ruiz-Cordero R, Volaric AK, Wang L, Wen KW, Xie Y, Zadeh SL, Gratzinger D.
Cancer Cytopathol. 2023 May;131(5):279-288. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22676. Epub 2022 Dec 27.
PMID: 36573933
Diagnostic Discrepancies in Small-volume Biopsy for the Initial Diagnosis, Recurrence, and Transformation of Follicular Lymphoma: A Multi-Institutional Collaborative Study.
Volaric AK, Lin O, Balassanian R, Cook S, Falchi L, Fitzpatrick MJ, Frank AK, Gupta S, Hasserjian RP, Long S, Ly A, Menke JR, Mou E, Natkunam Y, Reed DR, Ruiz-Cordero R, Wang L, Wen KW, Xie Y, Zadeh SL, Gratzinger D; Cyto-Heme Institutional Collaborative (CHIC) Consortium.
Am J Surg Pathol. 2023 Feb 1;47(2):212-217. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001985. Epub 2022 Dec 20.
PMID: 36537240
Cytomorphologic features of pediatric-type follicular lymphoma on fine needle aspiration biopsy: case series and a review of the literature.
Lu KL, Menke JR, Ng D, Ruiz-Cordero R, Marinoff A, Stieglitz E, Gollapudi S, Singh K, Ohgami RS, Vohra P.
J Am Soc Cytopathol. 2022 Sep-Oct;11(5):281-294. doi: 10.1016/j.jasc.2022.06.004. Epub 2022 Jun 22.
PMID: 35843844 Review.
Global Cytopathology-Hematopathology Practice Trends.
Zadeh SL, Balassanian R, Cheung MC, Falchi L, Hasserjian R, Lin O, Long SR, Ly A, Menke JR, Mou E, Natkunam Y, Ruiz-Cordero R, Volaric AK, Wang L, Wen KW, Gratzinger D.
Am J Clin Pathol. 2022 Feb 3;157(2):196-201. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab111.
PMID: 34508545 Free PMC article.
Impact of initial biopsy type on the time to final diagnostic biopsy in patients with follicular lymphoma and suspected histologic transformation.
Mou E, Falchi L, Sundaram V, Abramson JS, Balassanian R, Beygi S, Fitzpatrick MJ, Frank AK, Gupta S, Lin O, Reed JR, Long SR, Ly A, Menke JR, Reed DR, Ruiz-Cordero R, Volaric AK, Xie Y, Wang L, Wen KW, Zadeh SL, Natkunam Y, Cheung MC, Gratzinger D; Cyto-Heme Institutional Collaborative (CHIC) consortium.
Leuk Lymphoma. 2021 Dec;62(12):2864-2872. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1941936. Epub 2021 Jun 26.
PMID: 34176413
Molecular cytopathology diagnosis of a lung neoplasm: Case report of an unusual non-small cell carcinoma with MET exon 14 skipping mutation.
Hosseini SM, Khanafshar E, Seeley EJ, Ruiz-Cordero R.
Diagn Cytopathol. 2021 Jul;49(7):E258-E261. doi: 10.1002/dc.24694. Epub 2021 Jan 12.
PMID: 33433963