Autopsy Pathology
The autopsy service performs approximately 280 autopsies per year. The variety of cases reflects the number of specialty services at UPMC. For the resident, this service provides extensive exposure to cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and hepatic pathology. The primary exposure to the service occurs during the resident's first year and serves as the foundation for the resident's further training in anatomic pathology. Emphasis is on the accurate description of the gross and microscopic findings of the organ systems and correlation with the clinical course to establish the final diagnosis.
As residents progress through training, they receive gradually increasing levels of responsibility and independence. With additional exposure to specialty cases provided by Children's Hospital, Magee-Womens Hospital, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), and the Allegheny County Coroner's Office, residents are capable of handling a variety of cases by the completion of training.
