Vermont Medicine Magazine
DEPARTMENT OF Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ~ 2012 Annual Report
Selected Highlights
- The department welcomes two new faculty members: Dr. Maryam Zenali, M.D., in GI Pathology and Christi Wojewoda, M.D., in Microbiology.
- Faculty members have published research in journals such as Molecular Cell Biology; American Journal of Pathology, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; American Journal of Physiology; Lung, Cellular and Molecular Physiology; and New England Journal of Medicine.
- Department members have received grant awards from funding agencies including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the American Thoracic Society.
Ronald J. Bryant, M.D., Interim Chair*
Members of the Department of Pathology have gained international recognition for our effort in basic, translational, and clinical research. Areas of investigation cover the interaction of environmental agents on cell signaling pathways that contribute to inflammation in lung, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, mesothelioma, breast cancer, thrombosis, and cardiovascular disease.
The Experimental Pathology Laboratory participated in over 25 projects this past year involving pathology faculty, residents, medical students, and non-clinical, non-pathology faculty. Faculty members are widely published and have presented and collaborated nationally and internationally. They serve on National Institutes of Health (NIH) and foundation grant review panels, editorial boards for peer-reviewed journals, and national committees. Faculty members are involved in the Vermont Lung Center and the Vermont Cancer Center, and serve on a variety of College of Medicine and University committees.
The department offers a Master’s Degree in Pathology and a Ph.D. degree through the Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. Several undergraduates, graduate students, and fellows have won awards and fellowships to support research and travel to scientific meetings. Our highly competitive clinical training programs include 16 residents and three fellows. Faculty members are involved in the Vermont Integrated Curriculum (VIC) at all levels. This past year pathology faculty members were nominated 24 times for teaching awards. We have developed an international exchange program with medical schools in Japan, with plans to expand to Africa.
The department faculty directed and
provided in excess of 2.8 million laboratory
tests, including evaluation of over 90,000
tissue specimens, for Fletcher Allen Health Care
and referral clients. We have implemented a
number of initiatives to improve patient care.
Immunohistochemical stains are now done
twice a day. This reduces the time to evaluate
complicated diagnostic biopsies and allows
clinicians to begin treatment plans earlier.
Establishment of a more specific human
papilloma virus assay has resulted in an
approximately 10 percent reduction in
patients referred to colposcopy based on
the HPV assay with no loss of sensitivity. In
collaboration with other hospital members we have established universal screening
for Lynch syndrome and improved morning
handling of blood specimens.
*Note: in October 2102 it was announced that Debra G.B. Leonard, M.D., will
become Chair of Pathology effective April 2013.
Last modified January 24 2013 09:43 AM
