When I was named an ASCP Forty under 40, I was an academic staff pathologist. Aside from being associate director of the residency program and chair of New Jersey Medical School’s Curriculum committee, I didn’t hold any real leadership positions. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to serve as a medical director of the laboratory, academic interim chair of pathology at two medical schools, and now, permanent chair of pathology at two medical schools. I was also promoted to Professor in 2023 (I was associate professor at the time I received the award). I could not have imagined my career to take this turn at such an early stage. I am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way, including being named 40 Under Forty, and particularly being a member of the 2017 Top 5!

I believe this recognition cemented people seeing me as a leader. It opened many doors for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity this recognition gave me.

My most significant achievement was to become a joint chair of pathology at both Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. In addition, I serve as Senior Vice President of Pathology Services for RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest health care system. As a Black woman, this is an incredibly rare achievement, and I am one of a handful to reach this level in academic pathology.

I won the College of American Pathologists’ Outstanding Communicator Award in 2021. I received this award due to my efforts in print, television, and social media to promote the role of pathologists in COVID testing during the pandemic, as well as to educate about health care disparities and social determinants of health. I was truly honored.

I won the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Distinguished Alumna Award in 2022; this was due to all that I have achieved since my graduation from New Jersey Medical School in 2004, including being an ASCP 40 Under Forty Awardee!

Through most of my life, I’ve been pretty bad at seeing myself as the leader others see me to be. When I won this award, I thought it was by luck. Over the years, I have realized that this organization and others along the way have been right about me all along, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given!

I had three goals as I entered my career as an academic attending pathologist. The first was to become a chair by the time I was 55. I managed to make it there just a few months short of my 42^nd birthday. I wanted to write a book. I accomplished that goal with two phenomenal colleagues last year. The final was to be promoted to full professor by my 45^th birthday. I got there with one week to spare. I guess now I need to come up with new goals!