Constantine E. Kanakis
Everyone has a story about their journey to medicine – and pathology – and I’m no different! When I was eight years old, I lost my younger brother to a rare histiocytosis. Decades later, enter your humble hematopathology and transfusion medicine graduate trainee. I have taken the memories and moments that informed my path to pathology and turned them into something special.
I make it my priority to place pathology and laboratory medicine into the limelight by pioneering for visibility, awareness, and advocacy. When patients understand that a few simple results come from an innumerable cohort of dedicated healthcare workers, and that their physicians collaborate with brilliant-yet-unseen specialists, they have a chance to play a larger role in their care. Not only do I advocate for patients at large, but for all roles in pathology and laboratory medicine, so we can feel stronger together.
As a student, medical laboratory scientist, teacher, advocate, mentor, physician, friend, and even patient – my role in medicine is as complex as the field itself. It continues to evolve and grow parallel to the excitement of illuminating our collective work as pathologists, as specialists, as physicians, and as people. At the end of the day, our role as advocates should be celebrated. We drive the data that makes the healthcare machine work, and our reports directly affect patient outcomes. Our choices affect the dynamics of our own environments – both in our offices and our communities. I strive to make sure that we recognize our talents as leaders in healthcare and advocate to help patients experience the full potential of our service. Everyday I meet more patients and colleagues who are interested in this exciting wave, and I hope you are too!
