Swati Bhardwaj
Genitourinary Pathology fellow, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Controversial opinion? I was fortunate to train in a fully digital residency program, where I experienced the many benefits of digital pathology, such as faster workflows, easier annotations, and a foundation for AI applications. However, while digital pathology offers flexibility for pathologists, including remote sign-out options, it's crucial to ensure this doesn't undermine the efforts of pathology leaders to elevate the specialty. Even with the option to work from home, pathologists still need to be actively present to maintain and strengthen their key role in healthcare.
Professional ambitions? My goal is to become a pathologist who helps both patients and trainees. This is why my interests lie in academic medicine, which will allow me to combine my diagnostic work with teaching and research.
Inspiring mentor or educator? I've been fortunate to receive guidance and advice from many mentors throughout my career – I couldn’t pick just one! Without their support, I wouldn't be where I am today. Some introduced me to pathology, others taught me diagnostic and research skills, and some helped me develop my communication and leadership abilities. I'm grateful to all of them.