Message from the Chair | July 2026
Spring and summer in Rochester is always welcome, as you may recall. And this year, after experiencing a longer-than-usual stretch of wet and cold, we are thankful now for the sun, warm temps, lush lawns, and lilacs.
Our department has been busy on multiple fronts. We had strong showings by our faculty and trainees at many conferences—national meetings like USCAP and others.
Locally, we hosted our 45th Annual Pathology Research Day, which featured keynote speaker Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD, director of Pulmonary Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic.
The annual Pathology Celebration Dinner recognized talented fellows, residents, and PhD students, as well as dedicated faculty mentors. The 2026 Chair’s Award was presented to a well-deserving Richard Burack, MD, PhD, for his outstanding leadership and dedication over decades, always working to move our department and the field of pathology forward.
We also celebrated our valuable employees during Lab Week and are now planning our summertime event, an evening together under the lights at a Red Wings baseball game.
I’ve spent the better part of the past six months interviewing faculty candidates and am pleased to say that we welcome nine new hires to Rochester this summer and fall. It is the largest faculty cohort the department has brought on in one year during its 105-year history, and it’s a strong reflection of our growth and our future path.
Wishing you a productive summer, with many career wins and some time to recharge.
Meliora,
Christa L. Whitney-Miller, MD