WVU School of Medicine Pathologists’ Assistant students receive white coats, begin clinical rotations
The West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Pathologists’ Assistant program hosted a white coat ceremony on December 5 at the Okey Patteson Auditorium at the WVU Health Sciences Center in Morgantown.
The white coat ceremony marks the Pathologists’ Assistant students’ transition from traditional classroom learning to clinical practice.
“The students are stepping into the next phase of their training and learning,” Michelle Costas, MHS, PA (ASCP), director of the Pathologists’ Assistant program, said. “The white coat reminds them that they are part of the healthcare team and symbolizes their commitment to accuracy, integrity and the critical role they will play in advancing patient diagnosis and care.”
During the second year of their program, WVU Pathologists’ Assistant students complete clinical rotations in surgical and autopsy pathology. This prepares them for a career where they will work closely with pathologists and surgeons to examine organs and tissues for disease, perform autopsies and prepare tissue samples for diagnosis.
Students gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of settings, including academic healthcare systems, community hospitals and medical examiners' offices. This experience can help them determine which pathology environment they prefer.
Meet our students
Audrey Lawrence of Plymouth, Massachusetts, will begin her autopsy pathology rotations at the Westmoreland Medical Examiner’s office in Pennsylvania. Next, she will have surgical pathology rotations at Independence Health System Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pa., and Allegheny General Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Lawrence is most looking forward to working with professionals in a variety of environments. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Bridgewater State University.
“The WVU Pathologists’ Assistant program has prepared me for my future by making me well-rounded in my profession,” Lawrence said. “In addition to classes, we have had the opportunity to engage in weekly grossing labs, two semesters of gross anatomy lab, open access to practicing frozen sections, open microscope access, histology labs, autopsy labs and grossing room rotations at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. The program exposes you to the world as a pathologists’ assistant from day one, which was intimidating to start, but I am grateful for it now.”
Emma McQuade of Winchester, Kentucky, will begin her clinical rotations at UPMC Presbyterian before heading to UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, UPMC Children’s Hospital, Allegheny General Hospital and Independence Health System Westmorland Hospital. After her surgical rotations, she will return to UPMC Presbyterian for an autopsy rotation. McQuade chose the WVU Pathologists’ Assistant program after meeting a former graduate of the program in a lab she worked at after graduating with her undergraduate degree. She was impressed by his preparedness for the job. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Kentucky State University.
“Receiving my white coat is such an honor,” McQuade said. “All of our hard work is starting to pay off. It makes transitioning to rotations become more of a reality, and I am beyond excited to start.”
Madeleine Peters of Cincinnati, Ohio, will begin her rotations in the surgical pathology lab at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Next, she will move to the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office in Olathe, Kansas, where she will visit crime scenes and perform autopsies. Then, she will return to surgical pathology rotations at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital and UPMC Children’s Hospital. Peters is most looking forward to her rotation at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital as she hopes to enter a surgical pathology lab in a women’s hospital after graduation. Before joining the Pathologists’ Assistant program, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Ohio University.
“When deciding where to apply to a pathologists’ assistant program, I asked many current PAs about their programs. The ones who went to WVU said that they felt prepared and confident when they got their first job after graduating,” Peters said. “This program and the people leading it have made me confident in my ability to hit the ground running once I start my rotations. I have a great foundation to build on after this first year and am excited to face new challenges.”
To learn more about the WVU Pathologists’ Assistant program, visit medicine.wvu.edu/pathologists-assistant-program/.