Hematopathology & Molecular Genetic Pathology

Overview

The Department of Pathology in collaboration with TriCore Reference Laboratories offers comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic hematopathology clinical services that encompass all types of clinical specimens including blood, bone marrow, lymph node, diverse extranodal sites, and body fluids. Comprehensive multi-parameter flow cytometry is available as well as comprehensive immunohistochemical evaluation, cytogenetic/FISH, and molecular genetic assessment. The hematopathology consultation service focuses on timely and cost-effective case evaluation. This diagnostic service offers case based, targeted flow cytometry, cytogenetics and molecular work up tailored to specific disease types, promoting our goal of cost-effective quality consultation services.

Highlights

• Diagnostic modalities and technologies:
  • Multi-parameter flow cytometric immunophenotyping, conventional cytogenetics, comprehensive FISH testing, next generation sequencing and other molecular genetic analyses for fusion genes, diverse gene mutations, IGH variable region, somatic hypermutation assessment, as well as B- and T-cell clonality studies
  • Technical flow cytometric immunophenotyping and technical FISH is available
• Rapid turnaround time goals include:
  • Same-day flow cytometric immunophenotyping, one-day turnaround time for high priority FISH, and less than five-day turnaround time for comprehensive conventional cytogenetics for acute leukemias
• An integrative approach is utilized for all of our diagnostic services that encompasses integration of morphology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, in conjunction with cytogenetic and molecular genetic results
• The UNM/TriCore Reference Lab Hematopathology service is fully accredited for four hematopathology fellows and the UNM/TriCore Reference Lab Molecular Genetic Pathology service is fully accredited for two molecular genetic pathology fellows
• The hematopathology clinical service supports both adult and pediatric oncology patients including the development of new testing services necessary for comprehensive patient care and is accredited for four hematopathology fellows

Contact Information:

Hematopathology Consult Services
505-938-8010 or 505-938-8629
Toll Free: 1-800-245-3296

Ship consults to:
TriCore Reference Laboratories
ATTN: Hematopathology Consult Services
1001 Woodward Place NE
Albuquerque, NM 87114

Devon Chabot-Richards, M.D.  
Director, Hematopathology and Molecular Genetic Pathology
Medical Director, Molecular Genetic and Oncology Laboratory
Associate Medical Director, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory
505-938-8908
DChabot-Richards@salud.unm.edu

M. Kathryn Foucar, M.D.
Distinguished Professor Emerita
505-938-8456
KFoucar@salud.unm.edu

David Czuchlewski, M.D.
Medical Director, Cytogenetics Laboratory
505-938-8467
DCzuchlewski@salud.unm.edu

Qian-Yun Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director, UHRRL Hematology Lab
Medical Director, UNM Cancer Center Laboratory
505-938-8399
QZhang@salud.unm.edu

Daniel Babu, M.D.
Medical Director, Flow Cytometry Laboratory
Director, Hematopathology Fellowship Program
dbabu@salud.unm.edu

Rama Gullapalli, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director, Center for Molecular and Cellular Diagnostics, UNM Cancer Center
Director, Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program
rgullapalli@salud.unm.edu

Nicole S. Deshmukh, M.D. 
Consultant, Hematopathology Immunohistochemistry Development
ndeshmukh@salud.unm.edu

Notable Service and Leadership

Recent book publications by hematopathology division members include:

• Atlas of Nontumor Pathology: Tumors of the Bone Marrow [Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) 2016]
• Bone Marrow Pathology: ASCP Integrative Hematopathology Series 4 (ASCP Press 2018)
• Diagnostic Pathology: Blood and Bone Marrow, 3rd edition (Elsevier 2023)
• Diagnostic Pathology: Molecular Oncology (Amyrsis/Elsevier 2024)
• Coagulation: A Handbook (AABB Press, 2024)
  
  

Members of the Hematopathology clinical service team are involved in the following professional leadership activities:

• The Bone Marrow Pathology Group
• The American Society of Clinical Pathology
• The College of American Pathologists
• The International Society for Laboratory Hematology
• The Society for Hematopathology
• The United States Canadian Academy of Pathology
• The Association for Molecular Pathology
• The American Society of Hematology

Members of the division serve on multiple journal editorial review boards including:

• Editorial board for the American Journal of Clinical Pathology
• Human Pathology, Modern Pathology
• Associate editor and editorial board for the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology
• Co-Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology
• Co-Editor-in-Chief for Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis