UTHSC News: New Pathologists’ Assistant Program Prepares More Students to Make an Impact

In its second year, the College of Health Professions' newest program is continuing to grow.

The first class in the Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) Program started in January 2023, consisting of seven students who are now in clinical rotations and on track to graduate in December. The program expanded this January with 10 new students in its second cohort.

"We are really pleased with how our students are doing," Program Director Michael Weitzeil said. "Our students are working hard, passing their exams, learning the psychomotor skills, and they continue to progress without any concerns. We are very pleased."

Interest continues to spread as dozens of people applied for the 12 spots in the next class starting in January. The high demand can largely be attributed to the program's rarity. There are currently only 14 other operational training programs for PathAs in the United States, none of which are in Tennessee or the Mid-South.

The program, which offers a Master's of Health Science (MHS) in Pathologists' Assistant degree, aims to train highly skilled, entry-level pathologists' assistants who are prepared to assume positions in the gross room and autopsy suite, including laboratory management, research, and education. The college began developing the program in 2018 and through Weitzeil's diligent work received final approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) in July 2022. The program's faculty is made up of Weitzeil along with Clinical Coordinator Samantha Etters and Education Coordinator Kathleen Reed.

Read more at our UTHSC news site.