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Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

  • 1.  Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-10-2025 11:16

    Greetings everyone! 

    We are so excited to have Dr. Zenggang Pan as our featured AMA guest for the week of January 13th (which is this coming Monday!). Dr. Pan is currently a Professor of Pathology, the Director of Hematopathology, and the Chair of Pathology Finance at the Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is not only a leading expert in hematopathology, but a trailblazer in the world of resident/fellow education and wellness, giving countless board review lectures and having roles such as Associate Program Director both at Yale and the University of Colorado. 

    Please join me in welcoming Dr. Pan, and starting Monday, please feel free to ask him any questions you have! 

    - Savanah 



    ------------------------------
    Savanah Gisriel, MD, MPH
    Assistant Professor
    University of Wisconsin - Madison
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-13-2025 11:01

    Thank you, Dr. Pan, for joining us this week! I'll start off this week with a question I have: 

    What are some resources you recommend for learning hematopathology? 

    Savanah 



    ------------------------------
    Savanah Gisriel Resident in Pathology
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-13-2025 16:15
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-13-2025 16:16

    Thanks for the question. My personal opinion regarding some resources for learning hematopathology:

    1) Real cases/glass slides: no doubt, the best resource for me!

    To study the real cases/slides is the most effective way to learn hematopathology (and pathology in general). Pay attention to the cases in daily training/practicing, regardless of bread-and-butter or rare/challenging ones. Read the cases/slides with your mind not just eyes. Know the morphologic variations of each reactive/neoplastic entity well, even benign reactive lymph nodes.

    To share my experience during fellowship training at City of Hope: during my spare time, I went over the archived consultation cases 10 years back with ~2100 cases/year. While I was reviewing each case, I tried to analyze the morphologic features, think about the top differential diagnoses and potential studies, and generate wording/reporting in my mind; then, I opened the report in the computer and compared my "workup/report" with the attending's..... I learnt the most through this process, not just textbook knowledge but also practical skills....

    2) Textbooks. My personal favorites:

    (1) Hematopathology, Jaffe (now third edition): systemic coverage of benign and neoplastic lymphoid and myeloid disorders, including detailed clinical, morphologic, and molecular genetic features. 

    (2) AFIP series, neoplastic and non-neoplastic lymph node, bone marrow and spleen: beautiful images and in-depth coverage.

    3) Articles from PubMed: provide up-to-dated original data; also include entities not described or not discussed thoroughly in the textbooks.

    4) Goup/team study: We started an online study group in 2012, with ~30 hematopathologists currently from many large institutions in US. We meet every other week; two hours each time, with two pathologists presenting 4-6 cases/person, including short review of cases and open discussions. We have learnt a great deal during the past decade.



    ------------------------------
    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD
    Professor, Hematopathologist
    University of Colorado
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-14-2025 18:14

    Thank you so much, Dr. Pan! Wow, I wish I had done that during fellowship. 

    That group sounds amazing. If you are open to new participants, I would love to join!



    ------------------------------
    Savanah Gisriel, MD, MPH
    Assistant Professor
    UW-Madison
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-15-2025 00:15
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-16-2025 11:46

    Hi, Savanah,

    Thanks for your interest in our group. We reached the limit of members; will let you know if there is any opening.

    Meanwhile, you may start your own group by inviting hematopathologists who share similar interests in diagnosis, education, research, etc. Not only a great opportunity for sharing and learning, but also networking...



    ------------------------------

    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD

    Professor, Hematopathologist

    University of Colorado


    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-15-2025 08:53

    Sounds good! I think I may see if a few new attendings such as myself are interested in forming a group :)



    ------------------------------
    Savanah Gisriel, MD, MPH
    Assistant Professor
    UW-Madison
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-16-2025 00:38
    Hello! Nice to connect with you and thank you for this opportunity!

    I am an international medical student in my third year of MBBS. What elective opportunities or observerships are available in US for students like me who would like to pursue pathology residency in the US?

    Regards 
    Syeda Zainab 
    3rd year MBBS, Dow Medical College, DUHS, Karachi, Pakistan



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-16-2025 11:52
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-16-2025 11:53

    Hi, Syeda,

    Many pathology programs in US offer observership for external medical students/pathology residency applicants. The application process may vary depending upon the policy of each program. Usually, you need to apply six months ahead of time to secure a spot. I would recommend you to directly contact the programs or get insights from people who did observership over there. 

    Good Luck!



    ------------------------------

    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD

    Professor, Hematopathologist

    University of Colorado


    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-13-2025 11:37
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-15-2025 00:09

    Thank you so much for the invitation. Really glad to have the chance interacting with our trainees!



    ------------------------------
    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD

    Professor, Hematopathologist

    University of Colorado
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-14-2025 09:19

    Thank you so much for being here, Dr. Pan. Could you share your thoughts on the increasing emphasis on molecular tests in Hematopathology? Do you think that those applying for a hematopathology fellowship should also consider doing a MGP fellowship? 



    ------------------------------
    Sri Kavuri
    University of Texas Medical Branch
    Baltimore MD
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-15-2025 00:51
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-16-2025 13:20

    Dear Sri,

    Thank you and these are great questions! Although I am not a molecular pathologist, I will try to share my personal thoughts on molecular pathology in hematopathology. We are certainly entering the era of molecular world and the data/info are exploding. Hematopathology (and pathology) is increasingly depending upon MGP. To list a few examples:

    1) Establishment of diagnosis: i.e. MDS defining genetic alterations in a bone marrow with subtle dysplasia

    2) Classification of myeloid or lymphoid neoplasms: i.e. subclassification of AML or MDS based on molecular genetic alterations, DUSP22 and TP63 rearranged ALCL, MYD88 p.L265P in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, etc

    3) Risk stratification of myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms: FLT3 mutation in AML, and TP53 mutation in mantle cell lymphoma

    4) Minimal/Measurable residual disease (MRD) detection: i.e., MRD monitoring for patients with NPM1-mutated AML is important to guide clinical management.

    5) Detection of translocations through RNA fusion panel

    6) Research projects with extensive and powerful data set

    In my opinion, whether a hematopathology fellowship should be combined with a MGP fellowship entirely relies on personal interest (although the job market for HP/MGP is super hot). Nevertheless, the hematopathologists should learn the molecular genetic changes well and know how to apply the MGP data in diagnosing/classifying lymphoid/myeloid neoplasms proficiently.



    ------------------------------
    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD
    Professor, Hematopathologist
    University of Colorado
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-15-2025 21:15
    Edited by Yembur Ahmad 01-15-2025 21:15

    Hi Dr. Pan,

    Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. I am very interested to learn more about your experience in promoting resident & fellow wellness. What strategies have you found to be most effective in this regard? Are there any measures you recommend that programs implement to help their trainees' well-being?



    ------------------------------
    Yembur Ahmad, MD
    Los Angeles, CA
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-16-2025 08:45

    Hi Dr. Pan, 

    Thank you for your interest and time this week.

    As someone who has contributed extensively to the field of pathology, what advice would you give to trainees navigating the transition from residency to fellowship or early career practice, particularly in developing a unique niche or research focus?



    ------------------------------
    Breann Zeches, MD
    AP/CP Resident
    Resident Council
    Greenville, NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-16-2025 13:20
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-16-2025 13:21

    Dear Breann,

    A great question regarding the transition from residency to fellowship/early career practice. I think it depends on the personal interests/career goals/situations. A few general thoughts:

    1) First of all, regardless of your background/career goals/interest (PP vs. academic), this is time to gain independence/autonomy, build up your confidence/own sign-out style, and fill in the gaps of medical knowledge/diagnostic skills.

    2) Explore other areas you may be interested in or potentially as part of your career, including teaching, research, and leadership (never too early to start).

    3) If you plan to stay in academia and want to do some research, may think about certain specific type of research and focus of research, clinicopathology/translational type, case series, myeloid vs. lymphoid, or specific type of disorder. Also depends upon whether there is an established research team/group in your program or whether you have a mentor with established study projects/focus. Or, you may start broadly and gradually dig towards a certain direction.

    4). Very importantly, continue studying/learning pathology through your practice and bring your diagnostic/clinical skills to another level. AP/CP and fellowship training gives you a foundation/basics of pathology, and to learn pathology and polish diagnostic skills is a life-long process...



    ------------------------------
    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD
    Professor, Hematopathologist
    University of Colorado
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-16-2025 11:46
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-17-2025 11:08

    Dear Yembur,

    You have asked a very important question! For the trainees' well-being, the residency training programs, GME offices and ACGME are consistently taking it very seriously. It's complicated and critical. I will try to share my personal experience/recommendation:

    1) A well-documented guideline/policy is essential in preventing, guiding, and monitoring any issues related to well-being. Both the attending and trainees should be aware of such document/policy.

    2)  Detailed action plans to address the general issues and individual needs, regarding psychological, emotional, and physical well-being.

    3) A designated person/team in the program, who is accessible if needed and is directly responsive for well-being related matters.

    4) Frequent and effective communications among attending and trainees to sense the needs/improvements and address the issues/problems related to well-being. Programs should meet with residents privately who are suffering from burnout to identify the unique causes and appropriate interventions.

    5) Periodic lectures in coaching the skills/techniques dealing with stress, anxiety, conflict, etc. Encourage self-care with respect to physical, psychological, and emotional health.

    6) Periodic gathering (happy hour, etc) of trainees and attending

    Regarding measures, the programs usually send out questionnaires to the trainees (and attending) to collect the feedback and monitor well-being. In addition, close follow-up meetings are necessary to monitor progress and assess improvement.



    ------------------------------
    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD
    Professor, Hematopathologist
    University of Colorado
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-16-2025 18:07

    Dr. Pan, thank you for your dedication to pathology education and wellness!

    What are the most common pitfalls residents face when preparing for pathology boards, and how can we avoid them?



    ------------------------------
    Katerina Kearns
    Pennsauken NJ
    (508)221-3904
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    Posted 01-16-2025 19:35
    Edited by Zenggang Pan 01-16-2025 19:36

    Hi, Katerina,

    This is a very broad board question! Although I have been actively involved in AP/CP board reviews for 12 years, it may take a week for me to talk about pathology board exams. 

    There are certainly tons of pitfalls in the exams, particularly the mimicries on the AP side, including benign mimicking malignant, vice versa.  There is no easy way to avoid them: pay enough attention during your training and then study hard before the exams.

    Board exams can be very broad but mostly test general knowledge and typical/classic entities, although some are rare. Therefore, I would recommend focus on common/high-yielded entities first and make sure know them very well.  



    ------------------------------
    Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD
    Professor, Hematopathologist
    University of Colorado
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Ask Me Anything: Dr. Zenggang Pan

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 01-22-2025 12:56

    Dear Dr. Pan, 

    Thank you so much for answering all our questions last week! It was a very informative session. I think we all gained a lot of insight, especially when it comes to career planning.

    On behalf of the ASCP Resident Council, thank you!

    Savanah 



    ------------------------------
    Savanah Gisriel, MD, MPH
    Assistant Professor
    UW-Madison
    ------------------------------

    Original Message