The Pathology Residency program began in 2019. Since its inception, the program has shown progressive growth in its structure and training capacity.

Initially, the residency program had one annual quota. Currently, the program offers two positions per year, in accordance with the development of the service and the consolidation of the training program.

To date, the residency program has two graduating resident physicians.

Duration: 4 years (basic residency)

Title: Certificate of Complete Residency in Pathological Anatomy, enabling the processing of specialty certification before the Ministry of Health.

Accreditations:

• Ministry of Health of the Nation
• Endorsed by the Argentine Society of Pathology and the International Academy of Pathology (Argentine Division)

Anatomical Pathology is the discipline that, connecting basic sciences and clinical practice, is dedicated to the study of the structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs that underlie disease. As a medical specialty, Anatomical Pathology plays a fundamental role in the accurate diagnosis of material obtained from biopsies, surgical specimens, cytology samples, and autopsies.

The mission of the Anatomical Pathology Residency is to train highly competent specialists in the macroscopic and microscopic diagnosis of diseases, capable of integrating clinical, histological, and laboratory data. It aims to develop rigorous critical thinking and advanced technical skills that ensure accurate and timely diagnoses. It promotes research, innovation, and continuous professional development to contribute to scientific advancement. It fosters interdisciplinary work and effective communication with other healthcare professionals.

• Number of current residents: 7
• On-call shifts per month (average): passive on-call (autopsies – weekends)
• Post-call rest: Not applicable
• Average entry/exit times: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Number of internal and external rotations throughout the residency:

Internal rotations in:

• Histotechnical laboratory
• Cytotechnical Laboratory
• Autopsies (adults and fetal)
• Liver pathology
• Male genitourinary tract
• Pediatric pathology
• gynecological cytology
• Non-gynecological cytology
• Gynecological pathology
• Gastrointestinal pathology
• Osteoarticular and soft tissue pathology
• Breast pathology
• Biliopancreatic pathology
• Respiratory pathology
• Dermatopathology
• Neuropathology
• Hematopathology

External rotations (with international option):
Available in third and fourth year, with a maximum duration of 3 months

• Weekly teaching hours: 5 hours on average
• Vacation days per year: 4 weeks

• Training at an institution with strong human and professional values
  The Austral University Hospital offers a training environment based on responsibility, academic excellence and commitment to the patient, promoting ethical and person-centered medical practice.

• High-complexity, high-volume diagnostic hospital
  The residency takes place in a highly complex hospital with a high annual volume of samples, which includes approximately 30.000 biopsies y 12.000 cytology tests, which guarantees extensive diagnostic experience.

• Comprehensive and up-to-date training in Pathological Anatomy
  The program provides comprehensive training, with exposure to surgical pathology, cytopathology, autopsies, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology, fostering a modern, comprehensive and up-to-date view of the specialty.

• Strong academic and scientific activity
  Residents actively participate in academic activities, university lectures, interdisciplinary seminars, and research projects, fostering critical thinking and continuous professional development. This training prepares them for both clinical practice and future teaching and academic careers.

• Participation in conferences and scientific workshops
  Active participation in conferences, workshops and scientific meetings of the specialty is promoted, fostering continuous training and integration into the national and international academic community.

Head of Service: 

• Dr. Eunice Amancay Spengler

Deputy Head of Service: 

• Dr. Mariana Rodriguez Zubieta 

Staff physicians:

• Carla Adami, Karina Albarenque, Javier Anaya, Silvina Figurelli, Gloria Inurrigarro, Cecilia Lagues, Melisa Lencioni, Andrea Macri, Marcelo Poljak, Mariana Rizzolo, Carla Trila.

Consulting physicians:

• Alberto San Román

Head of Service: 

• Dr. Eunice Amancay Spengler

Residence tutor:

• Cecilia Lagües.

Resident instructor:

• Estefanía Risau.

Chief Resident:

• Belén Molina Froján.

Minimum competencies

• Autopsies:
  • Perinatal and adult: 30
    

• Cytology:
  • Gynecological cytology: 1.000
  • Non-gynecological cytology: 1.000
  • Cytology by needle aspiration: 500

• Intraoperative studies:
  • 500

• Macroscopy:
  • Simple pieces: 1.000
  • complex pieces: 1.000

• Microscopy:
  • 1.000 studies

• Special techniques and immunohistochemistry:
  • interpretation of 1.000 studies

Labor insertion:

• 50% who stayed at the institution (one of them emigrated to the interior of the country for a job offer).

• Internal service forums.
• Participation in interdisciplinary seminars with other services.
• Active participation in tumor boards.
• Internal classes aimed at residents.

A day in the Pathology residency at Hospital Austral It begins with a macroscopic examination of the surgical specimens, working alongside the team to ensure proper orientation, sampling, and clinical-radiological correlation for each case. If necessary, the team goes to the operating room to perform intraoperative studies.

Then, the activity focuses on the microscope, analyzing biopsies and cytology under the supervision of the attending physicians, allowing for discussion of diagnoses, criteria and differential diagnoses in a permanent teaching framework.

Throughout the day, the resident participates in interdisciplinary case conferences, tumor board meetings, and lectures. The day is rounded out with follow-up on complementary studies, such as immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology, and a literature review of the most challenging cases, all within a pleasant environment that combines academic excellence, teamwork, and a commitment to diagnostic quality.

• María Belén Molina Froján (chief resident)
• mmolinaf@cas.austral.edu.ar