Department of Pathology
Since the establishment of Baghdad college of medicine in October 1927 (which at that time was called the Iraqi medical college as it was the first and only medical college in Iraq), there was a place for pathology in the study discipline; the first actual teaching of pathology started in 1929/1930 for the third grade medical students; the first teachers in this dept. were:
1. The English Professor Mills (theory).
2. Professor Doctor Shawkat Alzahawi (practical).
Who were pioneers in pathology and were the first heads of the department at that time and did a great deal for it.
During the next year (1930/1931), forensic medicine was started to be taught for the fourth graders. The first lecturer for the theoretical part was Professor Doctor Hanna Al-khayat (who also was the first medical college dean and the first Iraqi minister of health), while the practical part and the anatomical pathology was taught by Doctor Akoub Japotian. In 1932, Professor Doctor Ahmed Izzat Al-Qaisi returned back to Iraq after getting the first specialized degree in forensic medicine in Iraq, and he was the establisher of the forensic medicine institute in Baghdad (which belongs to the ministry of health and the dept. of pathology – Baghdad College of Medicine).
Thereafter, a number of professors followed, including:
1. Professor Doctor Abdul-Rahman Abdul Ghani.
2. Professor Doctor Yosuf Aqrawi.
At the beginning, pathology included teaching the histopathology but later included also hematology and cytopathology. The teaching included theoretical lectures and practical sessions to teach the students the proper use of the light microscope and the basics of how to diagnose diseases by studying the naked eye appearances and the histopathological sections of the tissues or organs removed during surgical operations.
With the advances of science and technology and expanded understanding of disease states, their causes and ways of diagnosis, it was mandatory for the study of pathology to expand as well to include different new branches including immunopathology, human medical genetics, immunohistochemistry, … etc.
Based on this, it was also necessary to elaborate more in teaching pathology for the medical students to include both 3rd and 4th grade students (basic and general concepts about pathology for the 3rd graders and systemic pathology for the 4th graders).
The development and advances in teaching pathology did not stop at that point, but also included a change in the methods and ways of teaching to benefit from the audio-visual aids, expanded use of computers and datashow presentations and the internet updated resources (in exchange with the examining the gross specimens and the glass slides and microscopic examination) which made new and updated information readily available for both the students and teachers as well.
In addition, the practical part also changed to an interactive study that made the students ask questions, think, and analyze the facts –which is the essence of the teaching process, especially for the medical students.
In fact, this expansion and change was reflected on the postgraduate students (M.Sc., Ph.D. and Iraqi board students); periodic conferences to discuss selected pathological cases and a journal club to discuss the most recent information on certain selected diseases each time were also found beneficial. The curriculum for postgraduate students included the most recent edition of the respected textbooks in all fields of pathology specialty.
Nowadays, pathology is taught for 3rd and 4th grade medical students in 2 theoretical hours weekly and 3 practical hours for each group (5 groups in 3rd and 3 groups in 4th grade students). The forensic medicine is taught for 4th grade students in 2 theoretical and 2 practical hours weekly and teaching also included regular visits to the different sections of the forensic medicine institute especially the dissection room (morgue).
In recent years, there was a noticeable increase in the number of postgraduate students in different specialties of pathology; the number of teaching staff is now 18 lecturers and professors; the dept. also teaches intensive courses for postgraduate students from other department of the medical college (M.Sc and Ph.D.) and the Iraqi board students in other specialties (dermatology, diagnostic radiology, ophthalmology, … etc.).
All these activities and fruitful work was not attainable without the contribution and hard work from all the teaching staff in pathology dept. and their dedication in teaching and will to develop more and more, which made Mr. College Dean to send a gratitude letter to the teaching staff in the pathology dept. for their good will and hard work for the students and college in general.
1. The English Professor Mills (theory).
2. Professor Doctor Shawkat Alzahawi (practical).
Who were pioneers in pathology and were the first heads of the department at that time and did a great deal for it.
During the next year (1930/1931), forensic medicine was started to be taught for the fourth graders. The first lecturer for the theoretical part was Professor Doctor Hanna Al-khayat (who also was the first medical college dean and the first Iraqi minister of health), while the practical part and the anatomical pathology was taught by Doctor Akoub Japotian. In 1932, Professor Doctor Ahmed Izzat Al-Qaisi returned back to Iraq after getting the first specialized degree in forensic medicine in Iraq, and he was the establisher of the forensic medicine institute in Baghdad (which belongs to the ministry of health and the dept. of pathology – Baghdad College of Medicine).
Thereafter, a number of professors followed, including:
1. Professor Doctor Abdul-Rahman Abdul Ghani.
2. Professor Doctor Yosuf Aqrawi.
At the beginning, pathology included teaching the histopathology but later included also hematology and cytopathology. The teaching included theoretical lectures and practical sessions to teach the students the proper use of the light microscope and the basics of how to diagnose diseases by studying the naked eye appearances and the histopathological sections of the tissues or organs removed during surgical operations.
With the advances of science and technology and expanded understanding of disease states, their causes and ways of diagnosis, it was mandatory for the study of pathology to expand as well to include different new branches including immunopathology, human medical genetics, immunohistochemistry, … etc.
Based on this, it was also necessary to elaborate more in teaching pathology for the medical students to include both 3rd and 4th grade students (basic and general concepts about pathology for the 3rd graders and systemic pathology for the 4th graders).
The development and advances in teaching pathology did not stop at that point, but also included a change in the methods and ways of teaching to benefit from the audio-visual aids, expanded use of computers and datashow presentations and the internet updated resources (in exchange with the examining the gross specimens and the glass slides and microscopic examination) which made new and updated information readily available for both the students and teachers as well.
In addition, the practical part also changed to an interactive study that made the students ask questions, think, and analyze the facts –which is the essence of the teaching process, especially for the medical students.
In fact, this expansion and change was reflected on the postgraduate students (M.Sc., Ph.D. and Iraqi board students); periodic conferences to discuss selected pathological cases and a journal club to discuss the most recent information on certain selected diseases each time were also found beneficial. The curriculum for postgraduate students included the most recent edition of the respected textbooks in all fields of pathology specialty.
Nowadays, pathology is taught for 3rd and 4th grade medical students in 2 theoretical hours weekly and 3 practical hours for each group (5 groups in 3rd and 3 groups in 4th grade students). The forensic medicine is taught for 4th grade students in 2 theoretical and 2 practical hours weekly and teaching also included regular visits to the different sections of the forensic medicine institute especially the dissection room (morgue).
In recent years, there was a noticeable increase in the number of postgraduate students in different specialties of pathology; the number of teaching staff is now 18 lecturers and professors; the dept. also teaches intensive courses for postgraduate students from other department of the medical college (M.Sc and Ph.D.) and the Iraqi board students in other specialties (dermatology, diagnostic radiology, ophthalmology, … etc.).
All these activities and fruitful work was not attainable without the contribution and hard work from all the teaching staff in pathology dept. and their dedication in teaching and will to develop more and more, which made Mr. College Dean to send a gratitude letter to the teaching staff in the pathology dept. for their good will and hard work for the students and college in general.
