Pathology is defined as "the study of disease."  As a medical specialty, pathology is unique in that it represents a blending of disciplines addressing three crucial mission areas:  service, research, and education.

Service
Clinical and Anatomic Pathology deliver quality service to large numbers of patients by facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of disease conditions.  As consult physicians, our clinical pathologists apply specialized knowledge and laboratory testing to assist physicians representing a wide variety of specialties in monitoring therapeutic courses of treatment, screening for presence of specific conditions, diagnosing difficult cases, and understanding the etiology and course of disease.  As anatomic pathologists, our experts focus on disease-related morphologic changes in the gross and microscopic structure of cells and tissues to provide diagnoses through biopsies, aspirations, smears, and autopsies.  Our ongoing Service Mission goal is to continuously improve our expertise and increase automation to ensure high quality, fast, and cost effective service.

Research
Research is diverse, connecting to numerous other basic medical sciences.  As research scientists, pathologists make patient and laboratory observations that contribute to the understanding of disease.  Research scientists today are making extraordinary discoveries related to the Human Genome, studying the causes and courses of disease at the molecular level.  Our Research Mission goal is advanced through the identification of new genes and gene mutations, as well as through our focused attention on tumor immunology, neuropathology and viral pathobiology, and our designation of transplantation, cancer, and neuro-science as centers of excellence.

Education
Biomedical education and training is of paramount importance in furthering the knowledge of the discipline of pathology, educating future physicians in an understanding of disease, and ensuring the future presence and productivity of clinical, anatomic, and research pathologists.  As teachers, our professors impart their knowledge of disease to a wide range of pupils, from medical students, residents, fellows, and graduate students.  Our educators represent all areas of expertise within the department and promote our Education Mission goal through a commitment to mentorship, collegiality, and discipline.