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Three Top Miller School Pathologists Named Fellows of the International Academy of Cytopathology

Three top pathologists at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine have received high recognition by the International Academy of Cytopathology (IAC).

Headshot of Dr. Merce Jorda
Merce Jorda, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.

Merce Jorda, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., professor and Joseph R. Coulter Jr. Chair; Monica Garcia-Buitrago, M.D., director of the Gastrointestinal Pathology Service and co-director of cytopathology; and Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, M.D. ’91, vice chair of education and director of Head and Neck Pathology Service, were recently awarded the status of Fellows of the IAC.

Headshot of Dr. Monica Garcia-Buitrago
Monica Garcia-Buitrago, M.D.

The IAC was founded in 1957 with the goal to provide educational resources, research opportunities, and continuous improvement of the practice of cytology as a diagnostic method. The society serves as an umbrella organization for more than 50 national societies of cytology around the world and offers options to allow pathologists to test their abilities in cytopathology in a comprehensive microscope-based exam.

Headshot of Dr. Gomez-Fernandez
Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, M.D.

“Cytopathology, a branch of pathology that studies diseases on a cellular level, is now more than ever on the front line as a method for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value,” Dr. Jorda said. “With the advent of digital microscopy, every pathologist can not only make an impact in their local practice but also is now able to help patients around the world, as well as facilitate training for the next generation of pathologists.”

Drs. Garcia-Buitrago and Gomez-Fernandez echo this sentiment. “While the award of IAC fellow status is certainly gratifying, it is reflective of the mission of our department to be a global leader in pathology,” they said in a statement. “Our support of the IAC emphasizes our commitment to international education and to our subspecialty-based practice program which is available now to all trainees, cytotechnologists, and pathologists worldwide.”


Tags: Department of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, Dr. Merce Jorda, Dr. Monica Garcia-Buitrago, International Academy of Cytopathology, medical alumni, pathology