Department of Pathology
Chair: Billy Ray Ballard, MD, DDS
Professor: Robert E. Burnette, MD
Associate Professor: Awadh Binhazim, DVM, PhD, Cecil W. Cone, MD
Assistant Professor: Digna Forbes, MD
OBJECTIVES
The department’s objective is to imbue students with the desire to maintain a state-of-the-art proficiency in pathology, professional responsibility, and a life-long commitment to the expanding reservoir of scientific ideas. Objectives are designed to further enhance the collective ability to deliver superior undergraduate and graduate medical education, and to effectuate the best possible patient care and other service-related responsibilities.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Elective Courses
Electives are designed and offered with the aim of broadening the pathobiological and pathophysiological knowledge sphere of both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the health sciences. Courses are offered by prearrangement, with full participation of all members of the faculty.
ASMD 475 - Great Syndromes - This course is taken in the Spring semester of the sophomore year after students have been exposed to all organ systems. The student learns the complex dimensions of clinical judgment, including: complexities of interactions, involvement of multiple organ systems, examples of major syndromes and diseases, life stages, patient's perspective, and incorporation of basic science knowledge. Predicated on students' knowledge of the basic science organ systems, this course acquaints students with the complexities and integrative dimensions of clinical judgment. Via clinical cases involving selected syndromes, this course will explore content topics including aging, critical thinking, ethics professionalism, treatment principles and situational awareness. Prerequisites: ANAT320, ASMD 230, 320, 330, 340, 345, 350, BICH 320, 330, PHYS 320
PATH 602 - Surgical Pathology Elective - This course is specifically designed for third- and fourth-year medical students and focuses on introducing students to a hands-on approach to histopathology. Students participate in the daily review of gross specimens and in the diagnostic process of microscopic descriptions and pathologic diagnoses.
PATH 902 - Forensic Pathology Elective - This course is specifically designed for fourth-year medical students with an expressed interest in pursuing a career in one of the disciplines of pathology. Its major focus is to introduce students to the investigative approaches of unexplained and unnatural deaths. Prior participation in PATH 602 (Surgical Pathology Elective) is highly recommended but not required. Students rotate through the Forensic Sciences Center on Ben Allen Road, Madison, Tennessee.
Education 
Research
Patient Care
Links
Pathology Education 