With the high level of complexity of breast pathology cases and the evolving role of the pathologist as a “diagnostic oncologist,” breast pathology has become a highly desirable area for pathologists to have specialty expertise.  

At Stanford we offer a dedicated ACGME-accredited Breast Pathology Fellowship that will provide in-depth training in breast pathology with the goal of becoming a specialist in the field.

The Stanford Breast Pathology Service is rich with both routine breast pathology (including ancillary studies like HER2 FISH testing) and advanced consultative material to learn from. 

The breast pathology fellow will also have opportunities for learning in a multidisciplinary setting from leaders in the field of breast oncology, surgery, imaging, and radiation oncology. 

Graduated responsibility opportunities include a Junior Attending rotation, presenting at breast tumor boards, teaching opportunities, and service as a point person and consultant on breast-pathology-related issues. 

Elective and research time can be used to pursue additional subspecialty training in other areas (such as molecular pathology) or to work on research projects.

Departmental resources and support are available for clinicopathologic and translational research projects.  

The Department of Pathology accepts up to two breast pathology fellows per year.

Canadian applicants: Canadian nationals may substitute documentation of successful passing scores on LMCC examinations in lieu of USMLE. 

Stanford Health Care establishes PGY levels for new fellows based on the successful completion of all prerequisite training required for entry into your fellowship program. Stanford does not recognize additional training beyond the prerequisite training requirements when establishing the PGY level for entry into the program.

During their year long fellowship, Breast Pathology Fellows will spend their time on the following rotations:

• Breast service fellowship rotation (breast pathology consults, in house overflow cases, second reviews, tumor board coverage, HER2 FISH and other ancillary studies, overall service point person)
• “Junior Attending” rotation (fellow reviews breast cases with assigned residents at “sign-out” and works up cases as if going to finalize independently, with hand-off to breast pathology faculty for report finalization and discussion)
• Clinical breast imaging and surgery experience
• Hotseat (preliminary review of all cases prior to resident with focus on breast bench)
• Frozen section rotation
• Surgical pathology selectives  
• Research
• Elective
• Vacation and educational/conference leave (4 weeks total)

Deadlines:

We are participating in the unified recruitment timeline for pathology fellowship programs for the 2024-2025 fellowship year and have one position available. Applications will start being reviewed July 15, 2021 with interviews beginning August 15, 2021. Per the common timeline approach, our offer will be made October 3rd, 2022 (valid for 72 hours, subsequent offers for 24 hours). The CAP application with supplemental section is available for download below.

Required Materials:    

1. Completed Standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships form (CAP with supplemental available below) with your signature
2. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Cover letter and/or personal statement
   
4. 3 letters of recommendation
5. Photo

Please submit application and letters via email (pdf preferred) to:

Markell Stine
Fellowship Program Coordinator for Breast Pathology
Email: markell@stanford.edu

Visit the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for more information on the application process

Rabia Bhalli, MD
Medical School: Army Medical College - National College of Science and Technology
Residency: George Washington University Hospital

Parisa Najafzadeh, MD
Medical School: Islamic Azad University, Terhan Medical Branch
Residency: LAC+USC Medical Center
Past Fellowship: Surgical Pathology, LAS+USC Medical Center