Pathology Department Medical Team

The Department of Pathology at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) has a dedicated, board certified team comprised of:

• Pathologist
• Cytotechnologists
• Histology Technicians

They are further supported by laboratory assistants and administrative personnel. Each member of our staff contributes to quality patient care through his or her respective role(s) in the collection, preparation, examination and final diagnosis of specimens, diagnostic consultations, laboratory operation and maintenance, information management and administrative support.
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Pathologist

A pathologist is a doctor who studies body fluids and tissues to help in the diagnosis of disease and medical conditions. A pathologist's most essential tool is the microscope, which is used to examine body tissues, cells and fluids for signs of disease. The pathologist identifies those microscopic changes and interprets them to arrive at a diagnosis. This vital information forms the basis for patient treatment.

Although pathologists have limited direct patient contact, they are essential members of the patient's primary health care team. They participate in the day-to-day care of patients by providing and interpreting laboratory information to help solve diagnostic problems and monitor the effects of therapy. Pathologists practice preventive medicine by ruling out diseases or detecting them early. They serve as consultants to other physicians regarding selection of diagnostic tests, interpretation of results, treatment options and monitoring of therapy. Pathologists also perform fine needle aspirations, and provide surgical assistance by performing rapid tissue ("frozen section") examination and diagnosis while the patient is in surgery.

Dr. Jorge Rodrigues-Soto is board certified in pathology and received further fellowship training in surgical pathology and immunopathology. He provides the overall management of the Pathology Department and maintains a strict system of quality control and quality assurance throughout the department.

For more information on Dr. Rodrigues-Soto, see his profile.

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Cytotechnologists

Cytotechnologists are laboratory science specialists who examine cells that have been shed, scraped or aspirated through a fine needle from body tissue. They are technically trained to recognize subtle abnormalities in the size and shape of cells.

Cytotechnologists are responsible for the first microscopic evaluation of the cytologic specimen to determine the presence or absence of abnormal or malignant cells. They provide a preliminary diagnosis in cases requiring further evaluation and final diagnosis by a pathologist. Cytotechnologists also make diagnoses of non-malignant tumors, inflammatory diseases and other disease processes.

PAMF's cytotechnologists are licensed by the State of California and certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

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Histology Technicians

Histology technicians are allied health professionals trained to assist in the preparation of surgically excised tissues for examination by the pathologist. Those procedures include freezing and cutting tissues, mounting them on slides, and staining them with special dyes to make the details visible under the microscope. PAMF's histology technicians are certified by the ASCP Board of Registry.

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