Pathologist
Pathologist
Alexandra Brown, MD, FASCP
Pathologist,
Jackson, MS
Examining cells to find cancer and infections
For Ali, working as a pathologist means a stable career and a critical role in patient care—but it’s also so much more than that. In her work, Ali is able to truly impact—and save—patients’ lives, something she feels great about every day.
I provide vital information that my patients—and my clinical colleagues—ultimately depend on. It makes me feel great—like I have a purpose.
My Lab Hero Story.
Pathologists perform “frozen sections” which are rapid interpretations of tissue under the microscope occuring during a surgical procedure. Frozen sections provide surgeons with information about how to proceed in the operating room while a patient is still in surgery. Working with surgeons, I can help determine whether breast cancer surgery requires more tissue to be removed by evaluating if cancer is present at the edges of a specimen, or if it’s surrounded by healthy tissue—meaning all of the cancer is out. Using this technique, and partnering with breast surgeons, we were able to reduce the number of patients who had to have a second breast cancer operation to half of the national average.
Necessary Skill Sets
Strong science background.
Ability to recognize patterns.
Excellent leadership skills.
Salary
Average Salary: $247,013
Education Requirements
Four-year medical school program. Residency program in pathology (usually 4 years). One- or two-year fellowship program in clinical pathology or both (optional).