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 Kristina Grieco, PA(ASCP)CM
AAPA member since 2013
“I am currently a Senior PA at Brigham & Women’s Hospital (BWH); my day-to-day work is non-traditional compared to the usual PA role, and I find it exciting to be breaking the ‘PA mold.’ I am trained to interpret slides, order IHC stains, coordinate ancillary testing such as next generation sequencing and chromosomal microarray, and discuss a preliminary diagnosis. I am currently specialized in hematopathology and neuropathology, however I think this model can be applied to a variety of pathology specialties going forward. I believe that it is imperative to continuously insert ourselves as PAs into the shaping and future of our field. As long as we hold ourselves to the highest standards and thirst for growth, the PA potential is limitless. I had the opportunity to speak at the 2019 regional Pathologists’ Assistants of New England (PANE) + Mid-Atlantic Pathologists’ Assistants (MAPA) conference about my experience at BWH. The presentation sparked a lot of discussion. It is exciting to band together to challenge the traditional expectations of PAs and lobby for novel knowledge and opportunities.
 I am very fortunate to have had multiple opportunities to advocate for and grow the PA profession. Both at my current institution and past institution, I have served as a mentor and teacher for future/potential PA students – walking them through the workflow in the gross room, how to perform autopsies, and the process of reading slides. I have also organized and presented organ demonstrations for high school and medical students. My most recent project has been building the program Pathology Inspiration for Youth (PIY). The PIY mission is to increase awareness of the pathology field among high school students and anyone exploring career opportunities in healthcare. I am currently working with Harvard’s Medical School MedScience STEM program that runs year-round; I give a series of lectures about the field of pathology and the various roles within the pathology realm. I am in the process of working with Boston-area high schools to present as a multidisciplinary panel composed of myself (as a PA), a histotechnician, a medical technologist, and a pathology resident. We will all discuss our schooling, passion for our respective role, and daily work. Through PIY, I strive to inspire those excited about healthcare to consider and explore a career in pathology.“
Are you a PA promoting the profession? Do you present at conferences to spread the word about PAs? Offer job shadowing opportunities? Educate students on what it takes to become a pathologists’ assistant? We want to share your story! Send us a summary describing how you promote the PA profession and one or two high-resolution photos, and you may be our next featured member! Alternately, if you know a colleague who goes above and beyond to spread awareness of PAs and their role in the lab, submit a nomination for your fellow member to be featured next!
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