Contact Information

Department of Pathology


Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Department of Pathology
4301 Jones Bridge Road, C1094
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799
Room: B3154
Phone: (301) 295-3450
fax: (301) 295-1640

Department History

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) Department of Pathology was established in 1976 under the direction of Kenneth Earle, M.D. In 1980, Robert M. Friedman, M.D. was selected as chairman of the department. During his tenure, all faculty billets have been filled with little turnover and a period of relative stability has been maintained.

Chair's Message

The primary mission of The Department of Pathology is to prepare second year medical (MS II) students for their clinical years. The students learn about human diseases so that they may develop facility in the diagnosis of their patients' medical problems. Therefore, the instruction plan of the department employs the application of gross and microscopic anatomy, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and microbiology in order to teach the students the origin of the signs, symptoms, and laboratory data they will use to diagnose the clinical problems of the patients they will encounter. The instruction is in the form of lectures, small group instruction, and a large laboratory program.

As an integral part of this mission the members of the department carry out extensive research programs studying the pathogenesis of human diseases. This aspect of the department's mission enables the faculty to keep up with the latest developments in the biomedical sciences, so that the MS II students will have the benefit of the most up-to-date instruction possible. As an adjunct to the research program, the department also instructs graduate students in courses and laboratory studies leading to doctoral degrees in Molecular Pathobiology, Comparative Pathology, and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The pathologists on the faculty assist the staffs of the Uniformed Services hospitals in handling the cases that are assigned to their Anatomic and Clinical Pathology services. With the developing integration of the military hospitals in the Capitol Area, the USUHS Department of Pathology will assume a large role in the graduate medical education programs of the Uniformed Services.

The members of the department participate extensively in the administrative functions of the USUHS, serving on most of the key university committees. They also contribute time to many important scientific organization and community civil and religious activities.

Mission Statement

The Department of Pathology of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is committed to supporting the pathology needs of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine. The mission of the department is:

  • To teach pathology to the second year medical school class
  • To teach histology and other pathology related courses to graduate students
  • To provide a clinical elective in pathology for fourth year students
  • To support pathology education needs of F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
  • To maintain a graduate program in Pathology to train research scientists in the discipline of pathology
  • To participate in the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine interdisciplinary graduate programs in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Neurosciences and Molecular and Cell Biology
  • To conduct basic research in the discipline of pathology
  • To support the pathology residency program in the National Capital Region
  • To provide post-doctoral training in pathology to selected fellows
  • To participate in the activities of national and international scientific societies
  • To serve as members on scientific boards, editorial boards and NIH study sections
  • To review scientific manuscripts and other similar activities
  • To develop junior faculty by careful recruitment, training and supervision
  • To develop Continuing Medical Education programs in pathology as needed by the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
  • To provide anatomic pathology support to affiliated hospitals as needed
  • To provide consultation in pathology to the AFIP and other pathology organizations
  • To report to the Dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine.