Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Forward
Cytopathology and Small Biopsy Updates - February 21, 2026
Program Overview
Physicians and cytologists need the most up-to-date knowledge and strategies in pathology and cytopathology to provide the most appropriate ancillary testing for guiding patient management. Attendees will be presented with cutting-edge information on many topics from experts in the field, including specimen optimization for ancillary and molecular studies, guidelines for HPV testing in head and neck and cervical cancers, digital cytology, and beyond. By learning about the most recent advances in the field of cytopathology, attendees will be better able to render accurate diagnoses and more effectively guide patient management.
In-Person and Virtual attendance options are available.
FEES
| IN-PERSON | FEE | |
| Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $300 | |
| Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $150 | |
| Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | $25 | |
| Allied Health Care Professionals (HMH and Associated Teaching Institutions) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Non-Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
| VIRTUAL | FEE | |
| Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $300 | |
| Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $150 | |
| Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | $25 | |
| Allied Health Care Professionals (HMH and Associated Teaching Institutions) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Non-Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
*In compliance with HM’s policy on Physician Non-Monetary Compensation regarding “Stark Law,” private physicians who reside and/or practice medicine within the Greater Houston Area are required to pay the full Fair Market Value registration fee.
Target Audience
Pathologists; residents and fellows; cytologists; subspecialty physicians, e.g. oncologists, endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons, head and neck surgeons; and cytotechnology students will benefit from this course
Learning Objectives
- Describe specimen optimization for ancillary and molecular testing of cytologic specimens and small biopsies.
- Discuss updates to HPV testing in head and neck carcinomas and anogenital lesions.
- Describe applications of digital cytology and the role of artificial intelligence.
- Discuss key issues in cytologist education.
| Cytopathology and Small Biopsy Updates | ||
| Saturday, February 21, 2026 | ||
| Time | Topics | Speaker |
| 7:15 AM | Registration and Breakfast | |
| 8:00AM | Welcome | Elizabeth M. Jacobi, MD |
| Blythe Gorman, MD | ||
| 08:05AM | Small but Mighty: Cytology & Small Biopsies in the Era of Novel Therapeutic Agents & Personalized Medicine | Sara Monaco, MD |
| 8:50 AM | Q&A Discussion | |
| 08:55AM | ABCs of Thyroid FNAs: Algorithmic approach, Bethesda System, and Cytology-based molecular testing | Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD |
| 09:40AM | Break and Poster Review | |
| 09:55AM | Remote ROSE: Using telecytology to Transmit Cells from Small Biopsies to Your Office for Rapid Off-site Evaluation | Sara Monaco, MD |
| 10:40AM | Q&A Discussion | |
| 10:45AM | Spit happens: Navigating mimics and pitfalls in salivary gland cytopathology | Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD |
| 11:45AM | Lunch Panel - Optimizing Cytology and Small Biopsy Specimen Processing for Ancillary Studies | Sinchita Roy Chowdhuri, MD, PhD |
| Michael Thrall, MD | ||
| Ranjana Nawgiri, MD | ||
| Neda Zarrin-Khameh, MD, MPH | ||
| 1:15PM | HPV Testing in Head and Neck Carcinomas Update and LAST Trial | Mary Schwartz, MD |
| 2:00PM | Q&A Discussion | |
| 2:05PM | Digital Cytopathology and AI | Savitri Krishnamurthy, MD |
| 2:50PM | Primary HPV Screening in Cervical Cancer, Current Status and Future Directions | Michael Thrall, MD |
| 3:20PM | Break, Posters, and Book Draw | |
| 3:35PM | Molecular Testing in Cytology Specimens, Pre-Analytic Effects | Gloria Sura, MD |
| 4:05PM | Updates in the WHO Reporting System for Lymph Node Cytopathology | Tiffany Sheu, MD |
| 4:35PM | State of Cytologists and Cytology Education | Catherine Bammert PhD, CT, MB(ASCP), CT(IAC) |
| 5:05PM | Q&A Discussion | |
| 5:15PM | Adjournment | |
In-person attendance will be held in the Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030).
Virtual information will be provided to registered learners.
Course Directors
Blythe Gorman, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology and Genomic Medicine
Academic Institute Member, Research Institute
Department of Pathology & Genomic Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical College
Elizabeth M. Jacobi, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology and Genomic Medicine
Academic Institute Member, Research Institute
Department of Pathology & Genomic Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical College
Available Credit
- 8.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Houston Methodist designates this Live activity for a maximum of 8.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 0.50 Medical Ethics and/or Professional Responsibility
Price
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
FEES
| IN-PERSON | FEE | |
| Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $300 | |
| Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $150 | |
| Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | $25 | |
| Allied Health Care Professionals (HMH and Associated Teaching Institutions) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Non-Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
| VIRTUAL | FEE | |
| Physician (Private physician located inside the Greater Houston Area)* | $300 | |
| Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $150 | |
| Physicians (Houston Methodist) (HM PCG, SPG, MPAQ and ACO PCPs) | $25 | |
| Allied Health Care Professionals (HMH and Associated Teaching Institutions) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |
| Residents / Fellows / Students (Non-Houston Methodist) | Complimentary | |