Autopsy Rotation

Length: 5 x 4 week-long blocks

Location: University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Rotation Director:Dr. Nives Zimmermann

Participating Faculty: Anna Balog, M.D.; Matthew Hagen, M.D.; Ph.D.; MSc(Oxon), MSc(London); Ady Kendler, M.D., Ph.D.; Daniel Leino, M.D., M.P.H.; Oscar Lopez-Nunez, M.D.; Katherine VandenHeuval, M.D..

Residents receive hospital autopsy training at both the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center over the course of five, 4 week-long rotations.  The autopsy service provides residents with an increased understanding in anatomy, gross pathology, as well as normal and pathologic histology.  Residents learn and sharpen their skills in evisceration, organ dissection, tissue sectioning, microscopic examination, and interpretation of anatomic findings to generate critical clinical-pathologic correlations.

Residents conduct adult autopsies at the University of Cincinnati Medical and fetal/pediatric autopsies at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.  In each location, residents are supervised by faculty and participate in all aspects of the service from gross to dissection to drafting reports and letters to the families of decedents.  Annually, the department conducts approximately 100 full autopsies, which allow residents to more than meet the American Board of Pathology requirements for board examination upon completion of residency.  Additionally, residents gain further experience during their forensic pathology rotation at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office during their second year.