Why work in a pathology laboratory?

We asked some of our workers, and these are the answers we got.

Liz Azulai- Pathology section and receiving specimens.

"I began working in L.E.M laboratory 9 years ago. My neighbor is a senior pathologist in the lab and she convinced me to come and try. At the beginning I was nervous and worried that I won't do things properly. This is my first job, and everything was new to me. I learned that everything I do here, even the smallest things, or rather- especially the small details- are important. Every detail has meaning and consequences on the tests and their results. With time I built my confidence, I learned how to do the work on the best way possible, and also feel good with the responsibility that comes with it. The confidence I got here influences my private life too, not only professionally.

Working here is my calling. Tests arrive here, and I know that there are people behind them, some are very stressed out and worried. If they phone I try to help them in every way I can.

And the staff? I'm actually working with my best friends."

Dr. Myriam Konichezky- senior pathologist and the medical manager of L.E.M laboratory.

Former vice manager of the Pathology section and direct manager of uropathology in Rabin medical center.

"I was always interested in the fundamentals of medicine, anatomy, parasitology. But autopsies are only used for forensic medicine now. Most of the work is done my high technology systems like MRI, PET-CT. After I came to Israel and got into the world of pathology I realized that pathology is closely linked to the fundamentals of medicine. That's how i got to oncologic pathology. We work with physicians and sometimes with patients too. I sit with patients who are in critical conditions, and we see that there are ways to help them. They get hope and ways to fight their disease. We work with Human material.

Pathology has many fields to delve into, like orthopedic pathology, breast, orology, oncology, internal medicine, gastroenterology and more.

Today it's easier to study, there are a lot of courses and material online, and good international conferences too. Check out USCAP and Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins's websites.

Should young doctors specialize in pathology? Yes of course, it' a great profession!"

Sigal Kfir, head of Cytology department.

BSc in Biotechnology from Tel-Hai College. MSc from the Faculty of Agriculture of the Hebrew University in Animal Science and Veterinary department. Certified Cytoscreener and certified Laboratory worker.

"Cytoscreeners deal with the diagnosis of cells. Cytology is the science that researches cells, their origin, structure, their function, and the pathology, the abnormalities and diseases.

We examine the cells under the microscope and see, are the cells healthy? Are they undergoing abnormal changes? There are smaller, atypical changes, and there are more dramatic changes. 

A main part of out work in the Cytology section is screening for early detection of cervical cancer, using highly advanced technology to identifiy the presence of HPV- Human papilloma virus.

I love my work, it's truly very important. There is a person behing each test, and it's our job to give them all the information they need to stay healthy, or to heal.

The volume of work of cytoscreeners will probably reduce as technology will develop. And it is developing. We hear of good results in AI- Artificial Intelligence that replaces the work of pathological diagnosis. For example, under work now is an AI system that identifies abnormal changes in cells in male prostate glands. The new AI systems hopefully will save time and reduce workload, as well as diminish human errors."