Department of Pathology ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - University of ...

6a(iii). Report from the Medical Leader of Cytology
Dr. M. Weir
The division of cytology provides a crucial diagnostic service within the Department of Pathology.
There are nine full time cytotechnologists, two full time technicians, one coordinator, and 12
pathologists who contribute to teaching, education, research and quality assurance activities in
addition to a high volume service commitment (28000 samples per year) which includes regional
expert consultation work.
Over the past academic year, the staff have participated in teaching of: 1) a cytotechnology
student from the Michener Institute of Health who successfully passed her exams and was hired
at London Health Sciences Centre; 2) several residents in the Anatomical Pathology program
during their three month cytology rotations and at their Academic Half Days didactic lectures; and
3) medical students in their 2 nd year Reproduction course and 4th year Pathology course. Several
of the cytotechnologists have been appointed as Clinical Educators with the Michener Institute of
Health Sciences.
For research accomplishments, there were four posters (two by residents and two by
cytotechnologists) at the Canadian Association of Pathology meeting in Ottawa, one of which won
the Hugh Curry Award for best poster by a cytotechnologist. As well, a pathology resident had a
poster on a new quality assurance initiative at the November meeting of the American Society of
Cytopathology.
Investment in and support of professional growth of our staff was demonstrated as follows: one
cytotechnologist completed a Masters Degree in cytology, another completed the London Health
Sciences Centre Leadership Development Program, and the entire technologist team participated
in a six month team building exercise. Examples of promotion of leadership skills and
professional growth were: two pathologists participated on the executive board of the Canadian
Society of Cytology (past and vice chairs), one was appointed as chair of the Canadian Coalition
for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer and another was invited to the Scientific Committee of the
Quality Management Program and Licensing Service of Ontario.
6a(iv). Report from the Medical Leader of Molecular
Pathology
Dr. J.H.M.Knoll
The Molecular Pathology Group (MPG) at London Health Sciences Centre is comprised of
Biochemical Genetics, Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics/Diagnostics and Molecular Pathology
and is part of 11 Provincial Regional Genetic Centres. Each laboratory is headed by one
specialized MD and/or PhD with technical staff trained in molecular genetics and/or cytogenetics.
Our clinical tests have been licensed by the Ministry of Health during the past year and all new
tests require licensure.
• The biochemical genetics laboratory provides testing for a wide range of inherited
metabolic disorders as well as therapeutic monitoring to many patients. It is a reference
laboratory for Southwestern Ontario and serves as a provincial and national laboratory
for some tests. It is one of 4 laboratories in the province.
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