NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine offers medical students enrolled in a three-year accelerated and innovative MD degree program the opportunity to gain expertise in pathology through coursework, pathology electives, and research opportunities.

Pathology Coursework for Medical Students

Phase one of the MD curriculum focuses on the foundation of basic sciences instruction and research. Our integrated course work Morphology 4 (M4) incorporates core concepts in anatomy, radiology, histology, and pathology, the four morphological sciences, throughout the 46 weeks of phase one. The course initially sharpens students’ knowledge during language acquisition and then provides a deeper dive into an organ systems-based curriculum. Students work together in both small and large groups.

Histopathology and Hands-On Laboratories

Pathology faculty teach histopathology courses and hands-on histopathology laboratories, which are equipped with microscopes, archived pathology slides, and virtual microscopy to reinforce concepts learned in lectures. The M4 learning modules in histopathology, pathophysiologic basis of disease, and the contribution of pathology to the diagnosis and management of the patient are integrated across human organ systems, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine and reproductive, nervous, musculoskeletal, head and neck, oral and dental, and hematologic systems.

Concepts of disease are also reinforced in a multidisciplinary manner through problem-based learning, journal clubs, clinical lectures, and seminars. Organ system-based course work also integrates gross organ recital from anatomical and autopsy specimens.

Dissection and Simulation

Medical students participate in the dissection of pig hearts under the supervision of an anatomist and a pathologist. Students also participate in autopsy services through our Department of Pathology and under the guidance of Amy V. Rapkiewicz, MD, the deputy medical examiner at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of Suffolk County, New York.

Medical students can enrich their learning experience in pathology by participating in training at New York Simulation Center for the Health Sciences (NYSIM), where ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirations on thyroid nodules in the necks of simulation trainers can be performed. Students learn techniques to rapidly render diagnosis by staining of slides and reviewing cytology results under the supervision of pathology residents and cytopathologists.

In another laboratory-based exercise, students learn to make and interpret their own peripheral blood smears and can visit the clinical hematology laboratory for a tour under the supervision of a board-certified hematopathologist.

Pathology Electives for Medical Students

The Department of Pathology offers electives for medical students during their clerkship years, including courses in anatomic pathology and clinical laboratories addressing microbiology, cytogenetics, and transfusion medicine. Students should email Iman Hanna, MD, director of medical student electives in pathology, at iman.hanna@nyulangone.org, and Suparna A. Sarkar, MD, PhD, M4 pathology co-course director, at suparna.sarkar@nyulangone.org, with questions about pathology electives.

Pathology Research Concentrations for Medical Students

The Department of Pathology offers a variety of basic and translational research opportunities in breast, gynecologic, genitourinary, prostate, and inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancer under faculty mentorship. Collaborative projects can also be developed with a clinical faculty member. Research opportunities and resources are coordinated with the Office of Medical Education.

Students should email Jonathan Melamed, MD, Department of Pathology chair, at jonathan.melamed@nyulangone.org, with questions about pathology research concentrations or to discuss working with members of our faculty.