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.