The Department of Pathology was established in 1925. It consists of two portions: part of it  is  based in the Mt. Scopus campus, while the greater part is located in Ein Kerem.

The department’s main function is to provide diagnostic service in Surgical Pathology and Cytology to both Hadassah University Hospitals, as well as autopsy service. All organs and tissues removed in the operating rooms and all biopsies, fine needle aspirations (FNA), PAP smears and other cytology specimens from the hospital wards and  from the outpatients clinics are examined and diagnosed by members of the department.

The Department of Pathology also receives for examination specimens from physicians and clinics outside Hadassah and even from other hospitals. It also provides consultation service for patients diagnosed elsewhere (“second opinion”).

Altogether, some 25,000 examinations are performed annually. In addition, in the year 2002, 29 autopsies were performed.

The department is equipped with all the necessary labs for conducting cytological and histological examinations, including cytological, histopathological, histochemical,  immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent, ultrastructural and in situ hybridization facilities. It also conducts a panel of  special diagnostic tests on muscle and nerve biopsies as well as kidney and liver  biopsies. Recently, a molecular pathology lab was established within the department which (at this stage) provides limited Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) service.

As an academic department, members of the department are also involved in teaching of medical students, as well as students of the School of Dentistry, students of  Medicals Sciences, Pharmacology and Nursing. 

The Department of Pathology incorporates

several units:

Cytology Unit, directed by Dr. Yoav Sherman

Hematopathology Unit, directed by Dr. Gail Amir

Perinatal Pathology Unit, directed by Prof. Illana Ariel

Other specialties include:

Pathology of the central nervous system, peripheral nerve and muscle (Neuropathology) (Prof. Dov Soffer).

Breast pathology (Dr. Bella Maly)

Dermatopathology (Dr. Alexander Maly, Dr. Diana Prus)

Pathology of the Lung (Prof. Gail Amir)

Pathology of  Bone and Soft Tissue (Prof. Gail Amir)

Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology (Dr. Orit Pappo)

Pathology of the Head and Neck (Dr. Bella Maly)

Oral Pathology (Dr. Alexander Maly)

Gynecopathology (Dr. Diana Prus)

Genitourinary and Kidney Pathology (Dr. Galina Pizov)

Transplantation Pathology (Dr. Orit Pappo, Dr. Galina Pizov).

Staff

Senior Pathologists

Dr. Yoav Sherman (Head, Cytology Unit)

Prof. Gail Amir  (Head, Hematopathology Unit)

Prof. Ilana Ariel (Head, Perinatal Pathology Unit)

Dr. Orit Pappo

Dr. Galina Pizov

Dr. Diana Prus

Dr. Bella Maly

Dr. Alexander Maly

Board Certified Patholgists

Dr. Victoria Doviner

Dr. Yakov Fellig

Dr.  Keren Meir

Residents

Dr. Eli Pilarsky

Dr. Klilah Hershko

Experimental Pathology Unit

(Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School)

The Department of  Pathology incorporates a Unit of Experimental Pathology, whose members belong to the Hebrew University- Hadassah Medical School.

Staff

Prof. Moshe Kotler

Prof. Michael Steinitz

Dr. Stephen Brocke

Members of the Experimental Pathology Unit are engaged in research and teaching.

In addition, Hadassah member pathologists also participate in basic science and clinical research.

The main research areas of the department include:

Changes in the molecular expression of placental and embryonal tissue in an animal model of intrauterine growth retardation.

Pathologic and genetic aspects of radiation induced brain tumors.

Computer–based systems in assessment of histological and cytological parameters (image analysis).

The role of transcription factors (NF-K B and oct3\4) in neoplastic processes.

Pathogenic mechanisms in viral diseases with a special interest in HIV and its

virulence.

Chemkines and specific T cell subsets in autoimmune inflammatory CNS diseases.

Pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical significance of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease.

Mediators of inflammation in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

The role of the enzyme heparanase in human neoplasms and other pathological processes in the large bowel. 

The department of pathology also provides technical service in preparation of histological slides for researchers of Hadassah and the Medical School.