Hi, we are Stacy Beal and Jesse Kresak, and we LOVE pathology!  We hope that this course shows you how wonderful pathology is as a field of medicine and as a career.  Pathology is divided into two main categories: Anatomic Pathology, of which Dr. Kresak is the Queen, and Clinical Pathology, which is my (Dr. Beal) realm.  My specialty is the clinical diagnostic laboratories, so I spend a big proportion of my time analyzing hematology and microbiology tests.  Dr. Kresak's specialty is neuropathology (and GI), so she gets to look at tiny brain biopsies and whole brains from autopsies. 

 

But, the cool thing about our jobs for both of us is that we do TONS of other stuff too!  For example, in our capacity as Associate Director of the Core Lab (me) and Director of Anatomic Pathology (Dr. Kresak) we both are heavily involved in decisions to bring in new tests and equipment to our hospital.  I recently brought in a PCR platform for CMV PCR, which was then used for Covid-19 PCR when that was needed!  Dr. Kresak looked into several options and eventually decided on the best platform for digital pathology so that she can read biopsies from any computer (not just for convenience - it improves turn around time and leads to more collaboration among various specialties)!  We also both are on various college-wide committees, like the IT Steering Committee and Surgical Governance Committee, so our IT and surgical colleagues turn to us when they are designing workflows that impact the laboratories.  So you see, pathologists are not sitting by themselves in the basement.  We are ALL OVER the place.  

 

One part of our job which we really LOVE is working with the pathology residents!  They are an AMAZING group of trainees.  Most pathology residents do 4 years of combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.  Please find out more about our residency program here!  

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In addition to being valuable members of the health care team, being involved in healthcare operations, and teaching, we also do research.  We focus on very clinically relevant questions that impact our practice, like looking at how a certain laboratory test is used or how a new special stain might help interpret biopsies.  

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No two days are the same and every day brings its own set of exciting patient cases and laboratory challenges to solve.    

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Thank you for taking the time to learn pathology!