What is a Pathologist?

A Pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the "study of disease". Pathologists examine tissue and body fluid specimens removed from patients and determine the diagnosis. Treatment decisions are often made based on the pathology report. Pathologists also perform autopsies and oversee clinical laboratories that analyze patients’ blood and body fluid specimens.

Pathologists attend four years of medical school followed by three to four years of residency training in pathology. Many have also completed an additional one or two year fellowship program in a specialized area of pathology.