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Pathologists' Assistant at Western Michigan Pathology Associates, Holland Hospital, Holland, Michigan, USA; Editor-in-Chief for the AAPA journal, The Cutting Edge; Member of the AAPA peer review team, and the Education, Marketing & Communications, and Diversity, Inclusion & Equity (DEI) Committees

Biggest challenge in pathology? A big challenge in pathology labs currently is staffing issues. Histotechs and Cytotechs are beginning to retire at a larger rate than are being replaced. Not as many people are going into these fields. This affects turn around times, employee burn out, and proper staffing throughout the lab as other positions are forced to take on new roles.

Exciting developments and trends? All the molecular testing and individualized results are exciting for the future of cancer treatments.

Intro to pathology? I've always had an interest in what could go wrong within the body. I studied physiology in undergrad, and all the diseases and congenital defects were the most interesting to learn about. But looking back even further to ninth grade, the same week we were dissecting frogs in Biology, we had to carry around an egg for health class to simulate a baby. I skinned my frog and used the skin as a baby blanket for the egg. I also removed the eyeballs from all the students' frogs in class and dissected out the lenses. So even back then, I was fascinated by dissection and anatomy.