Why did you choose to attend Carroll University?
Shortly after discovering the PathA career, Carroll had announced that they were starting a Pathologists’ Assistant program. I had been living in Waukesha at that time and was trying to figure out how I was going to move to one of the other 12 states in the country with existing programs at that time. I was incredibly fortunate in the timing. However, geographical convenience was not the only factor. I listened to our Program Director, Professor, and certified Pathologists’ Assistant Susan Stillman discuss the process of building a PathA program on the People of Pathology podcast. Professor Stillman made clear her dedication to establishing a curriculum that would generate incredibly well-rounded and well-prepared students, including preparing us for the option of serving as Pathologists’ Assistants in the forensic field, an opportunity that is currently expanding. Throughout this inaugural year, Professor Stillman has been an incredible faculty member that is always willing to listen to any thoughts, concerns, or suggestions regarding the program and its betterment. I have no doubt Carroll’s PathA program will continue to improve wherever possible and continue to develop well-prepared individuals to join the Pathologists’ Assistant career for years to come.
What made you choose your academic major or area of study?
I have been interested in the medical field since high school. I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2022. During my undergraduate studies, I also completed higher level science courses to prepare me for graduate-level study in the medical field. While I wasn’t initially sure which healthcare career I belonged in, discovering the PathA field and spending time shadowing quickly revealed my calling. I was drawn to the opportunity to serve as an expert in the medical field while working with the most fascinating material - human tissue. I have only grown more sure of my decision throughout my didactic year and look forward to starting my clinical rotations shortly.
How has what you’ve learned prepared you for your future?
Carroll’s Pathologists’ Assistant program has provided me with a very well-rounded education of the pathology field. As someone who entered the program with limited knowledge of the pathology world, I can attest to Carroll’s dedication to fully informing each student in its program of the day-to-day expectations for a PathA, as well as teaching the knowledge and skills required to work both in the surgical pathology and forensic settings. From foundational graduate-level courses like Human Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Microbiology, we have progressed to more specialized, PathA-specific courses like General Systemic Human Pathology and Autopsy Pathology. One of my personal favorites has been Clinical Correlation, where we have learned how to process each specimen type that may cross our grossing stations, and how to properly document our findings. As I prepare to head into my clinicals, I feel confident in the information and tools provided to me throughout my didactic year and am looking forward to applying them to hands-on experience in patient care.
What opportunities have you had to work closely with a faculty member and what impact has that had on your education?
Carroll’s Pathologists’ Assistant program has a limited number of spots available and I was fortunate to be a part of a small cohort of only 11 students. This provided the opportunity to work closely with professors for each class, which was particularly helpful in our Clinical Correlation course. In the lecture portion, we learned how to process a wide range of specimen types that we may encounter in our career. We then practiced these procedures during the lab period. Each lab included a demonstration of the grossing procedure, time for independent practice, and practice with fully documenting our findings as we would in the surgical pathology lab. Professor Wichmann provided expertise achieved from several years of serving as a PathA prior to professorship. Thanks to the small cohort size, Professor Wichmann had the opportunity to work closely with each of us every lab period, making sure to answer any questions that we had and using his expertise to provide feedback on our performances. This was one of the most valuable experiences in Carroll’s program as it helped us gain knowledge that will be useful daily in our careers and confidence in our budding abilities as anatomy experts.
What’s one unique experience you’ve had relating to the coursework for your academic major or area of study?
One unique experience that Carroll has provided is the opportunity to meet several individuals within the PathA field, including those located at some of our clinical sites. Three of our professors, which includes our Program Director, bring with them several years of experience serving as PathAs around the country. The Medical Director of Carroll’s program is Dr. Juan Felix, who also works as the Director of Surgical Pathology with Froedtert and MCW. Students placed at MCW’s clinical site will have the opportunity to work with him again throughout the clinical year with a strong foundational relationship already established. Dr. Felix has also arranged for students to observe autopsies at Froedtert and MCW throughout the didactic year, which serves as an incredible learning opportunity. Additionally, we have had several guest lectures in our General Systemic Human Pathology and Autopsy Pathology courses delivered by Pathologists’ Assistants located at a few of our clinical sites. This provided the opportunity for early introductions prior to the start of the clinical year, as well as valuable networking opportunities within this small, tight-knit career field.
How has Carroll enriched your growth as a person outside of the skills you’re learning in the classroom?
This program has challenged me both academically and mentally because of the level and volume of course content. However, the challenges presented have taught me a lot about how I manage a busy schedule and stress. I have learned new ways to maintain organization, set daily expectations for myself, and improve my time management skills. I have also improved my ability to ask for help if needed, and recognize my own need for self-care, both of which have been encouraged by our very supportive faculty. Looking back, I am grateful for the good days and the tough ones, because the struggles have forced me to develop and expand these skills which will benefit me both in both my professional and personal life.