About

Welcome to Our Department

Welcome to the Department of Pathology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. We invite you to explore these pages to learn more about our commitment to research, patient care and training in pathology.

We are fortunate to have a closely-knit department with dedicated faculty members and support staff. The residents have a very well-rounded training with the right mix of daily workload and independent study. Residents are exposed to a diverse learning environment through rotations to different hospitals, including University Health Truman Medical Center, University Health Lakewood Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke’s Hospital, the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, Community Blood Center and Midwest Transplant Network. This constellation of facilities makes us one of the most unique for learning all aspects of pathology and for participating in cutting-edge research. The faculty members have placed special emphasis on thorough discussions during sign-out with enough time devoted to the newest techniques in pathology. The residents are involved in research projects with faculties in anatomical pathology, clinical pathology and basic science. Our faculty enthusiastically embrace their responsibility to train the next generation of pathologists.

Sincerely, 

Kamani Lankachandra, M.D.
Program chair

Evanthia Omoscharka, M.D.
Program director

Mission

The Department of Pathology thrives on daily patient care, training the pathologists of the future and teaching medical students the basic foundations of pathology.

Vision Statement

The constant application of ever-new methods in pathology is a goal, along with providing resources that are both current and proven. Residents and students learn in an up-to-date environment that is also rich in history. Our vision in our complex and multiform setting is to serve all and to imbue that concept into our daily lessons.

Objectives

  1. Patient care is always our first goal.
  2. The training of our residents and medical students is a priority.
  3. The integration of cutting-edge research in the academic lives of our attendings, residents and medical students is a must.

Upcoming Plans

  • Evaluation of pre-natal vitamin D level associated with pregnancy outcome
  • Sickle cell research among African Americans in Kansas City
  • High incidents of breast cancer among minority populations of Kansas City

Brief History of Our Department

UMKC School of Medicine Pathology course evolution: 

  • Offered since 1971, initially as Laboratory Medicine/Clinical Pathology. Offered four times per year for MS4 and MS5.
  • In 1989, the pathology course was taught two times per year (50 students each) for MS4.
  • Today, we teach the course annually during the winter semester to MS3 (100 students).

Timeline of other pathology offerings:

  • Monthly elective in pathology: offered since 1971
  • Pathology residency program: offered since 1988
  • Truman Medical Center Cytotechnology School: 1983-1998
  • Truman Medical Center Histotechnology School: 1991-1996
  • Shawnee Mission High School seniors’ elective program: 2000-present
  • Truman Medical Center Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) training program:
    • University of Kansas: began in 2006
    • Barton County Community College: began in 2007
    • National American University: began in 2013
  • UMKC School of Dentistry pathology course: 2012-present