Change and Challenges
By any measurement, 2008 was an extraordinary year.  Change became a very popular word, and we saw our share of it here in the Department of Pathology.  In a year of great change and great challenges, we realized significant achievements.  Indeed, through the hard work and dedication of our faculty, trainees, and staff, most of the change that we saw was positive.  Our teaching programs thrived, and members of our faculty were recognized by the School of Medicine for excellence and innovation in the classroom.  One member of our faculty, Enrique Gerszten, received the VCU School of Medicine Teaching Excellence Award, the highest recognition for teaching.  Our researchers saw progress through new scientific initiatives and funded activities.  We graduated an extraordinary group of residents and fellows, and we welcomed an equally promising class of new trainees.  We added two new faculty members to our ranks to add depth and expertise to existing programs.  Our clinical laboratories continued to provide leading edge diagnostics for physicians and patients.  We had an excellent CAP inspection.  We upgraded our infrastructure and added technologies that allowed our laboratories to provide advanced clinical care.   We were enthusiastic participants in the VCU Medical Center’s “Safety First Every Day” program by implementing a daily laboratory status report.  In all of these accomplishments, and others too numerous to mention, we benefited from the loyalty, dedication, and goodwill of an extremely knowledgeable workforce.

In 2008, we experienced a global economic downturn that has affected every industry.  The state of Virginia and VCU Health System were not immune.  In an uncertain economic environment, we were asked by the governor to trim our university-side budgets.  Pathology is responding to this crisis by reviewing our expenditures and cutting overhead through increased efficiency.  By every indication, more cuts are coming.  We are well-prepared to meet this challenge.  During the past 15 years, we have built our financial reserves.  In good times, we were frugal in anticipation of bad times.  That approach has helped us to weather this storm.  In 2009, we will remain diligent, watching our bottom line to ensure that we are able to continue providing excellence in education, research, and patient care.  Our patients, students, and trainees expect nothing less.

David S. Wilkinson, MD, PhD
Professor and Chairman