Cytopathology Fellowship

Overview

The Cytopathology Fellowship is a one-year training program (including 5 weeks of electives and 3 weeks of vacation) geared towards developing a high level of expertise in the performance and interpretation of fine needle aspiration biopsies, interpretation of gynecologic and non-gynecologic exfoliative cytology, and application of ancillary techniques such as flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics and immunocytochemistry.

The fellows will be trained to perform FNA biopsies by palpation and with ultrasound guidance.

We accept both individuals interested in an academic career and those intending to pursue careers in community practice. All fellows are encouraged to participate in resident teaching and research activities.

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 Cytopathology Fellowship program.

For more information, please download the Stanford Cytopathology Fellowship Goals and Objectives (PDF).

Eric Yang, MD, PhD

Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology
Associate Director, Cytopathology Service
Director, Cytopathology Fellowship Program

Foreign Students & Visa Sponsorship

Canadian Visa Requirements

Graduates of Canadian medical schools will be placed on ECFMG sponsored J-1 visas. They are not required to take the qualifying examinations such as FMGEMS, NBME, and USMLE in order to obtain their visas.

Note: At this time, the government of Canada is restricting approval of physicians wishing to obtain clinical training outside Canada. SHC is unable to obtain a J-1 visa without the consent of the Canadian government.

Non-Canadian Visa Requirements

All trainees in residency and clinical fellowship programs will be placed on ECFMG sponsored J-1 visas.

Stanford Hospital and Clinics (SHC) does not sponsor such trainees for the H-1B visa. ECFMG requires a valid ECFMG certificate obtained by successful completion of their qualifying examinations (VQE, FMGEMS, NBME, or USMLE) coupled with the appropriate English language examination to be eligible for a visa.

Allow 120 working days for ECFMG to process an initial visa.

For further information, please contact:
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685
Tel: [215] 386-5900

California Medical License

California law states that all U.S. and Canadian graduates are required to obtain a California medical license before starting a fellowship at Stanford.

If you have any questions please visit the Stanford Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) and/or the California Medical Board website for more information.

Stipends

2022-2023 Stanford Stipends and Bonuses (Effective 9/5/22)

Year	Annual	Per Month
I	$74,027.20	$6,168.81
II	$77,771.20	$6,480.81
III	$83,657.60	$6,971.33
IV	$88,400.00	$7,366.53
V	$93,953.60	$7,829.32
VI	$98,092.80	$8,174.24
VII	$103,604.80	$8,633.57
VIII	$108,326.40	$9,027.03

All pathology clinical fellows will annually receive a taxable housing allowance in the amount of $10,000 from the Department of Pathology. Fellows will receive the first half of the pathology housing allowance in their September paychecks and the second half of the allowance in their February paychecks.

From the Stanford Health Care GME Office, new fellows will receive a one-time $3,000 payment to assist with moving expenses, a one-time $1,000 for cell phone allowance, an annual educational allowance of $2,000, and a 1% annual bonus based on completion of a Quality Improvement project. A housing allowance of $7,200 (paid monthly at $600) per year is also provided. All allowances are subject to appropriate taxes.

Stipends depend upon the postdoctoral level of training and are equal to the general residency stipends at Stanford University Hospital.

Bonuses

*All allowances are subject to appropriate taxes.
+ Housing allowances will not be provided during any period of extended training.

Item	Detail
Annual educational allowance $2,000*	Paid in November providing, all required HealthStream and EPIC/LINKS modules are completed by house staff's assigned deadline
Cell phone allowance $1,000*	Automatically added to paycheck in July
Food allowance $10 per day (shifts of 12 hours or longer for clinical rotations only at SHC & LPCH)*	Payments made on last paycheck of each month Meal money is taxable income
Housing stipend $7,200 per year (paid as $600 monthly)*+	Automatically paid on 1st paycheck of each month
Medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance provided	Eligible to participate on house staff's hire date
Moving allowance (new hires only) $3,000*	Automatically added to a paycheck in August
1% annual bonus based on completion of a Quality Improvement Project*	Automatically paid at the end of each academic year in June
Cost of initial CA MD license and renewals	Paid upon reimbursement submission for academic year expense occurrence
Cost of initial DEA and renewals	Paid upon reimbursement submission for academic year expense occurrence
Cost of USMLE Part Ill for Interns	Paid upon reimbursement submission for academic year expense occurrence

For more information please go to: Stanford Healthcare/Stipends & Bonuses

Applying

Deadlines:

We are now accepting applications for 2025-2026. Applications will be reviewed July 2023 with interviews starting in August 2023.

The Cytopathology Fellowship at Stanford accepts applications from candidates who are board certified or eligible for certification in Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. Candidates should also qualify for a California medical license which must be obtained prior to the start of the fellowship. The CAP application with supplemental section is available for download below.

Stipends depend upon the postdoctoral level of training and are equal to the general residency stipends at Stanford University Hospital.

Required Materials:

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

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

Eric Yang, MD, PhD
Director of Cytopathology Fellowship
E: ericyang@stanford.edu

CAP Standardized Application (w/supplemental) for Pathology Fellowships

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

Contact

Cytopathology Faculty

Brittany Holmes, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology, Cytopathology and Surgical Pathology
Associate Director of Cytopathology Service

Brittany Holmes, MD is Associate Director of the Cytopathology Service and Director of the Head & Neck Pathology Service. She completed her residency in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Cytopathology Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is skilled at performing FNA biopsies and signs out on the cytology and head & neck services. Her research interests focus on carcinomas of the head & neck and thyroid.

Stanford Profile

Kristin Jensen, MD

Associate Professor of Pathology,
Chief of Pathology Service at VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
Director, Cytopathology at VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

Dr. Kristin Jensen is a board-certified anatomic pathologist and cytopathologist, specializing in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as fine needle aspiration technique. She has practiced pathology for more than 10 years and performs most of her clinical work at the VAPAHCS. Dr. Jensen has a special interest in ancillary testing in breast cancer and other solid cancers, as well as medical education.

Stanford Profile

Christina Kong, MD

Professor of Pathology
Director, Cytopathology Service
Medical Director, Clinical Laboratory & Anatomic Pathology Services
Performance Improvement Leader, SHC
Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs

Christina Kong, MD is Medical Director of Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Lab Services, Director of the Cytopathology Service, and Director of the Cytopathology Fellowship, which she started in 2003. She completed her residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at UCSF, and is fellowship trained in Cytopathology (UCSF) and Surgical Pathology (Stanford). She is skilled at performing FNA biopsies and signs out on the cytology, GYN, and head & neck pathology services. Her research interests focus on squamous dysplasias and carcinomas of the gynecologic tract, head & neck.

Stanford Profile

Michael Ozawa, MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor
Medical Director of Clinical Laboratory, South Bay Cancer Center

Mike Ozawa, MD PhD completed his Anatomic & Clinical Pathology residency and fellowships in Cytopathology and Surgical Pathology at Stanford. He is skilled at performing FNA biopsies and signs out on the cytology, head & neck, and thoracic pathology services.

Stanford Profile

Eric Yang, MD, PhD

Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology (Gynecologic Pathology & Cytopathology)
Associate Director, Cytopathology Service
Director, Cytopathology Fellowship Program

Eric Yang, MD PhD is Associate Director of the Cytopathology Fellowship and chair of the Clinical Competency Committee for the Cytopathology Fellowship. He completed his Anatomic Pathology residency and fellowships in Cytopathology and Gynecologic Perinatal Pathology at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. He is skilled at performing FNA biopsies and signs out on the cytology, GYN, & perinatal pathology services. His research interests focus on novel tools for early detection of anogenital dysplasias and carcinomas.

Stanford Profile

Current Cytopathology Fellows [2023-24]

Patrick Mullane, MD

Medical School: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Peter Wanes, MD

Medical School: Assiut University
Residency: University of Arizona

Clark Tolson Nichols, MD

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine

Incoming Fellows [2024-25]

Diane Libert, MD

Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine

Brandon Say, MD

Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine

Ashley Monsrud, MD

Medical School: Morehouse School
of Medicine
Residency: Emory University

Graduated Cytopathology Fellows

Class of 2023

Steven Chirieleison, MD, PhD
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine

Raymond Gong, MD
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Residency: University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

Tyler Jankowski, DO
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Class of 2022

Cherub Kim, MD, MS
Medical School: NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Kelly Mooney (Ernst), MD
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles
Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine

Ashley Volaric, MD
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine

Class of 2021

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