Since becoming an ASCP 40 Under Forty honoree last year, Allison Krywanczyk, MD, FASCP, has found it rewarding when people reach out to ask about pursuing careers in cardiovascular pathology. The recognition has also expanded her professional network and given her greater credibility when approaching other medical specialties to collaborate.
“Being named a 40 Under Forty Top Five honoree means so much because it comes from my own colleagues,” she says.
Dr. Krywanczyk is a forensic and cardiovascular pathologist at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office (CCMEO) in Cleveland, OH. After earning her MD and completing her pathology residency, she completed fellowships in forensic pathology and cardiovascular pathology at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Cleveland Clinic, respectively, before taking a position as autopsy and cardiovascular pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic and working part time at the CCMEO. In 2022, she transitioned to a full-time position as associate medical examiner at the CCMEO. She is board-certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology.
She learned about the ASCP 40 Under Forty program through social media and emails from ASCP and enjoyed discovering previous honorees’ accomplishments. “I applied because I felt like I had a unique perspective of our profession which I wanted to share with a broader audience,” Dr. Krywanczyk says.
Another 2022 40 Under Forty Top Five honoree, Tiffany Gill, MA, MLS (ASCP)CM, says being recognized as one of the Top 5 honorees during ASCP’s 100th anniversary celebration was surreal. “It has become a springboard for my professional network and helped me influence positive change for the profession and education,” she says.
It was actually the third time Ms. Gill had applied for the 40 Under Forty recognition. She first applied in 2016, hoping to gain recognition for the innovative practices she was using in her role as an MLT program coordinator in order to also showcase her school’s program.
Last year, she restructured her resume and included awards and recognition for innovative projects, and volunteer service activities such as blood drives she has coordinated, her involvement on ASCP committees, as well as mentorship of faculty and laboratory professionals.
Ms. Gill was thrilled when her alma mater recently invited her to be its Graduate School Commencement speaker this May and announced it would award her an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of her contributions to the community and field of laboratory medicine.
Both Ms. Gill and Dr. Krywanczyk strongly encourage others to apply for the ASCP 2023 40 Under Forty program.
“If you, or someone you know, have a unique interest, passion, or goal in our field, it’s well worth taking the time to apply or nominate someone,” Dr. Krywanczyk says. “The 40 Under Forty program is a platform to share your ideas and perspective, and you may end up being surprised by how much support you get!”
Imagine how you might be recognized if you apply for the ASCP 2023 40 Under Forty program. Deadline for applications is April 21. Apply today at
www.ascp.org/40underforty.
