Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Mission
The mission of the UTHSC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is to bring the benefits of the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine to the citizens of Tennessee and others through the pursuit of an integrated program of education, research, clinical care and public service.
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine will pursue this mission:
- By contributing to the medical education mission of the UTHSC student body, through offering specialty medical training in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and through contributing to graduate medical education in Experimental Pathology with a focus on Cancer Biology through the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program.
- By conducting basic Experimental Pathology research in the mechanism of disease with a focus on cancer biology, and through clinical and translational research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases particularly through the application of precision medicine.
- By delivering high quality anatomic and clinical pathology services in affiliated institutions, including through laboratory directorships and participation in patient safety committees and programs.
- By serving as resources to community and professional organizations, the scientific community, policy makers, and the public in matters pertaining to basic mechanisms of diseases, and to appropriate use of existing and evolving pathology and laboratory medicine services.
Core Values
The core values of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in realizing our vision and achieving our mission are:
- The continuous pursuit of excellence and dedication to the profession and the institution.
- A strong sense of professionalism, respect, integrity, and accountability among faculty, fellows, residents, and staff.
- An emphasis on discovery, innovation, and implementation of novel approaches.
- Intraprofessional interaction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health care team integration.
- A focus on continuous improvement, patient safety, and evidence-based practice.
Education
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine provides essential didactic teaching to students in the College of Medicine through the Department of Medical Education.
Additional didactic training to students in other UTHSC Colleges including Dentistry and Health Professions, and a number of our faculty hold joint appointments in these colleges.
Medical students interested in pathology may be interested in arranging a rotational experience in the department or in joining the Pathology Interest Group. Medical students may be interested in Research Scholar programs with our Experimental Pathology faculty.
Research
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers graduate and postdoctoral research experience primarily through the Experimental Pathology Division in the Center for Cancer Research. Prospective graduate students should apply through the College of Graduate Health Sciences.
UT Pathology Faculty Receive Cancer Discovery Research Grant to Advance Ovarian Cancer Research
Department of Pathology assistant professors Dr. Rachel Perkins and Dr. Won-Young
Choi were awarded the prestigious UT Cancer Discovery Research Grant during the recent
UT Statewide Cancer Collaborative Meeting held in Nashville, TN. The $50,000 award
comes just one year after their appointments under the UTORII DART-CRI program. The
funding will support their innovative research aimed at advancing the understanding
of cellular plasticity in cancer stemness and isoform switching in high-grade serous
ovarian carcinoma—one of the deadliest gynecologic diseases, with patient survival
rates below 30%. This funded project will immediately generate crucial preliminary
data for future extramural grant submissions. More importantly, their work will lay
the essential groundwork for translating these molecular insights into next-generation
"ultra"-targeting strategies using alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, representing
a major step toward developing highly precise and effective therapies for this lethal
disease.
Precision Pathology of Cancer Order Form
UT pathology faculty or residents interested in ordering the new book Precision Pathology
of Cancer, coauthored by our own Lawrence Pfeffer, PhD, may do so by visiting this
publishing website.
Be sure to check out the book flyer for information on how to get a delegate discount.
Congratulations to Lauren King, MD on Receiving the UTAA Faculty Awards
Dr. Lauren Cooper King, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine, and Medical Education was recognized for her exemplary teaching at the UTAA
Faculty Awards dinner held in Knoxville on June 1. Dr. King was one of only 11 system
wide faculty members to receive a prestigious UTAA Outstanding Teacher Award. She
was also recently induction into the UT Health Science Center Academy of Master Educators!
Anyone fortunate enough to professionally know Dr. King can attest to her passion for education and her willingness to always go "the extra mile" in dealing with students and residents. Congratulations to Dr. King on this notable honor!