January 28, 2026 — As part of an ongoing international initiative to support the professional growth of Ukrainian physicians, a significant educational webinar was held focusing on the intricacies of modern cytopathology. This event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Shupyk National University of Health of Ukraine (Department of Clinical Pathology and Forensic Medicine), the International Academy of Pathology (IAP), the University of Louisville, and the Global Pathology and Laboratory Consortium (GPALM) in association with the University of Michigan.
The session was opened by Professor Rouba Ali-Fehmi (Chair of GPALM and Director of Breast Pathology at the University of Michigan), who welcomed the Ukrainian colleagues and reaffirmed the commitment of the international community to providing high-quality educational resources during these challenging times.
The keynote speaker for the event was Judy Pang, MD, Clinical Professor and Director of Cytopathology at Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan). Her presentation, titled “Cytopathology, Effusions – History! History! History! Approach, Ancillary Studies, and Pitfalls,” offered a deeply practical look at the daily challenges faced by pathologists.
Rather than a dry theoretical lecture, Dr. Pang led the audience through an intensive review of nine complex clinical cases from her own practice. The core message of the session was clear:
- The “History! History! History!” Triad: Pang demonstrated that a detailed understanding of the patient's background is not just helpful—it is the foundation of an accurate morphological interpretation;
- The Clinician-Pathologist Dialogue: The lecture highlighted that active communication with treating physicians is often the deciding factor in reaching the correct diagnosis and avoiding common diagnostic pitfalls;
- Strategic Use of Ancillary Studies: The session covered the rational application of immunocytochemistry and other specialized tests to navigate the complexities of effusion cytology;
One of the most poignant moments of the event occurred during the Q&A session. Addressing a question from the Ukrainian audience regarding diagnostic work in resource-limited settings, both Dr. Judy Pang and Professor Rouba Ali-Fehmi expressed profound respect for their colleagues. They noted that in regions where pathologists may lack immediate access to high-end molecular or genetic testing, these specialists often develop an extraordinarily high level of morphological expertise. By relying on fundamental staining methods and histological techniques that have stood the test of time for decades, they achieve remarkable diagnostic precision.
Inspired by this realization, the organizers expressed their intention to invite specialists with experience in such environments to share their unique insights and "pure" morphological skills with the global community in future sessions.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Michigan Medicine and all our international partners for their unwavering support and for providing a platform where Ukrainian doctors can continue to excel and provide world-class medical care.
Information for Participants
We remind you that the series of educational lectures within this international initiative takes place every Wednesday at 15:00 (3:00 PM) Kyiv time.
Link to join:
- Join Zoom Meeting
- https://umich.zoom.us/j/95687051087
- Meeting ID: 956 8705 1087
- Passcode: 933320
The schedule of upcoming lectures is available at this link: https://ghdpfzyh.elementor.cloud/schedule/
Recordings of past lectures are available and grouped by topic at the link: https://ghdpfzyh.elementor.cloud/lecture-series/
