A Treasure Trove of Pathology

With its spectacular specimens and distinguished displays, the Larry Jewell Pathology Museum in Canada is housed in the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) building on the University of Alberta north campus. The museum boasts an extensive library of approximately 25,000 photographs and almost 200 physical specimens.

We spoke with Roberta Martindale to learn more about the treasures contained within – and the exciting role of a pathology museum curator.

Tell us a bit about the museum's history…
 

Named after Professor Emeritus Larry Jewell, the Larry Jewell Pathology Museum now has a purpose-built space with the opening of ECHA in 2011. In September 2016, we celebrated the official naming of the museum, with Larry Jewell in attendance.

The museum specimens are well traveled and some were previously homed on campus in other buildings. Some of these specimens date back to the 1930s and remain incredibly well preserved – something I find incredibly exciting!

How did you become curator of the museum?
 

I’ve been a faculty member at the University of Alberta for 22 years, teaching undergraduate BSc in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), including a histology (microanatomy) course. In 2012, I was approached to collaborate with the pathology museum curator. Soon enough, I became co-curator and when the curator retired, I took over the primary position.

What does being a curator of a pathology museum entail? Any particular challenges you’ve faced during your career so far?
 

A large part of my role is rooted in providing opportunities to share the collection in a meaningful and engaging way. I also liaise with the University of Alberta Museums staff in meetings and greatly appreciate the continued advice and support they pass my way. Curation also involves caring for and maintaining the collection. Anna Nevesinjac, an MLS teaching colleague, assists me in this task to ensure our specimens are cared for and refurbished when appropriate. 

During my time as curator, we’ve faced challenges in finding and utilizing a better preservative solution with less formalin. One of my former students assisted here, working with several museum curators that resulted in a new preservative fluid composition. The same student also supported re-inventory of our museum collection using the Mimsy XG system. 

I’m often asked about ethics and specimen acquisition, but our collection is historical, so there’s no active collection occurring. However, security still plays a key role with limited access and key availability in place. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?
 

One of the things I enjoy most is sharing information about the collection with museum visitors. I ask all visitors to refrain from photography and videography to respect the space and specimens on display. A particularly interesting part of my role involves linking the large to the small. For example, where gross specimens fit with the microarchitecture of organs and tissues. This allows me to connect with my primary MLS teaching role and connect with other courses I’ve undertaken, such as parasitology. Applying my knowledge to this position not only ignites my interest, but also helps in discussion and questions with visitors.

Please tell us about some of the specimens at the museum… Do you have a favorite?
 

It's difficult to pick just one, which is why I tend to change the answer for each tour group that visits the museum. This keeps my memory fresh on the specimens on display, as well as continuing my learning of our specimen list.

We have a large collection of central nervous system (brain) specimens, as well as digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, urogenital, musculoskeletal, immune, and respiratory systems. Some of the more interesting additions that come to mind include organs affected by tuberculosis and syphilis, a polycystic kidney, and a lacrimal gland mixed tumor along with the eyeball.

Our oldest specimen (an arm and leg dissection demonstrating the vasculature) dates back to circa 1804. It traveled from London, UK, to Upper Canada in 1832 before going West in 1885. We’ve also gratefully received our previous curator’s collection of quarter plates upon their retirement. I personally find these fascinating as they provide reflection on the development of technology for recording visual images of gross specimens. 

To what extent is the museum collection used as a resource for university students?
 

I strongly believe in supporting students with opportunities to explore different avenues in education. The museum provides learning opportunities that may not be available elsewhere, such as the Transition Year program where I lead a group through the museum as part of one of their courses. This allows for questions, discussion, and exploration of other concepts, such as parasitology and general biology alongside pathology. Museum learning opportunities are available to undergraduate, postgraduate, and medical school students and is something I remain grateful and passionate about delivering.

Is there anything currently missing from the museum that you’d like to see in the future?
 

I’d like to see the museum outfitted with a large screen display panel for combining examination and discussion of specimens with links to the Mimsy system. This could offer further detailed information of individual specimens, with microanatomical images relating to the specimen type and linking large to small. With the available wireless connection related topics and cases could be explored online.

Any final thoughts?
 

If any readers find themselves in Edmonton, Canada, please get in touch and I can arrange a museum visit in alignment to their interests!