Pathology

Objectives

1. Provide the knowledge, technical skills and experience necessary for residents to competently practice anatomic and clinical pathology, this includes developing knowledge of basic pathologic processes and skills needed to interpret laboratory data as well as make clinicopathologic correlations
2. Promote effective communication and sharing of expertise with peers and colleagues
3. Promote the development of investigative skills to better understand pathologic processes as they apply to both individual patients and the general patient population
4. Promote the acquisition of knowledge and provide experience in laboratory direction and management and encourage residents to assume a leadership role in the education of other physicians and allied health professionals

Vision

• We will be a comprehensive, academic pathology department that functions as a team to deliver subspecialty clinical care and research
• We will utilize effective, efficient and innovative approaches and build departmental competencies to meet patient, institutional and societal needs
• We will take advantage of opportunities to advance the science and practice of pathology through individual and collaborative research
• We will train leaders in pathology practice and research, and other physicians and laboratory professionals to enhance their understanding of pathology and laboratory medicine
• We will create a workplace that will facilitate the recruitment, retention and development of the highest quality personnel

Philosophy

Pathology based philosophy of mind can take negative and positive forms. On the negative side, reflection upon pathological conditions can give us empirical counterexamples. We start by highlighting a core claim involved in a philosophical theory of some mental phenomenon, for instance, a claim about the nature of thought, or consciousness, or perception, or whatever.

Core Values

• Pathologists are specialist physicians and laboratorians who participate in patient care through the evaluation and consultation on patient specimens, the management of laboratories and blood related therapies
• Pathologists are in a prime position to lead and guide research on human disease. Promotion of research in pathology and laboratory medicine is essential for improvement of patient care and the well being of society
• Training of outstanding residents, fellows and medical students is vital to our future success
• We advocate training by active learning and progressive responsibility
• All employees should enjoy a safe, high quality collaborative work environment with opportunities for advancement and professional growth, which we will promote
• Timeliness in reporting is essential for clinical decision-making, but it must be balanced by the needs for accuracy and teaching
• Resources and workload should be allocated equitably
• We place high value on effective communication within our department and with our colleagues and their patients. Our clinical service will be shaped by this dialog with the other clinical services in the hospital
• We will maintain the high standards of ethical practice established by the leaders of the MGH and MGPO
• We will monitor departmental performance, promote continuous improvement and advocate for resources using outcomes-based evidence