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Welcome Class of 2025 Pathology Residents

Jul 5, 2021

The Department of Pathology is proud to welcome the 2025 Class of Pathology residents! Joining the department are six new individuals, each from different institutions. As the new faces begin to emerge around Pathology, we asked each resident to answer some questions as a way to better introduce them.

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Ashley Brent, MD

Graduated from Wright State University's Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio.

Q: What motivated you to choose a career in pathology?
A: I always found myself drawn to the diagnostic side of medicine. When I discovered pathology, I also discovered where patients' most sought-after answers are brought to light. I wanted to be part of this incredible field that illuminates patient care.

Q: What excites you the most about joining the U-M Department of Pathology?
A: The people! From world-renowned faculty to amazing co-residents and staff, everyone wants to see you succeed. I know that here, I will become the best pathologist, leader, and teacher that I can be!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I love spending time with my dog, Luna, as well as my two cats, Barney and Groot. I also enjoy hiking, yoga, photography, and listening to podcasts.

 

Ryan Cecchi, MD

Graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn, New York.

Q: What motivated you to choose a career in pathology?
A: The inquisitive nature of the field, the ability to touch on all aspects of medicine, and the incorporation of engineering approaches are some reasons why I chose Pathology.

Q: What excites you the most about joining the U-M Department of Pathology?
A: I am excited to utilize my skills and knowledge in a wonderful community and being able to continue to hone and improve them in an amazing environment.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I enjoy spending my time playing board games along with playing ice hockey and soccer.

 

Elaina Daniels, MD

Graduated from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Q: What motivated you to choose a career in pathology?
A: My favorite part of Medical School was learning how biochemical processes interact to cause disease, so I thought it was cool that we can visualize these processes too. Additionally, I was drawn to pathology because I am a self-proclaimed sleuth; I love solving puzzles and mysteries. Pathology allows me to combine these two passions to figure out diagnoses and provide answers to clinicians, patients, and their families.

Q: What excites you the most about joining the U-M Department of Pathology?
A: I'm excited to learn about a wide variety of both rare and common pathologies while training with world-renowned experts in pathology. I am also excited to work with all of the kind, caring people that I have met so far.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I enjoy exercising, listening to horror and true crime podcasts, seeing movies with my husband, trying new restaurants, listening to and collecting records, tailgating, and going to Michigan State football games.

 

Elizabeth Higginson, MD

Graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

Q: What motivated you to choose a career in pathology?
A: A large part of my motivation to pursue pathology is the people that comprise the field itself. The pathologists I have learned from over the years are the most inspirational for many reasons, one of which is their service to others from behind the scenes. I also feel most at "home" in pathology - everyone truly is a scientist pursuing answers fundamental to patient care, and that's where I feel I belong.

Q: What excites you the most about joining the U-M Department of Pathology?
A: I am very excited to be back at U of M after graduating from LSA in 2012 and attending med and grad school at MSU. Joining the Pathology Department at U-M is an honor, and I am most excited by the world-class faculty, staff, and facilities. I know I will get the best education possible here as I start my pathology career.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I have lots of hobbies outside of work and study - I enjoy crafting with many different media, (mostly fabric and paper), cooking new foods, crossword puzzles, and trivia. I am excited to be reunited with my original trivia team back in Ann Arbor and anticipate going to some live trivia events as they continue to open back up this summer.

 

Amber Holtz, MD

Graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Q: What motivated you to choose a career in pathology?
A: No short set of reasons could explain what brought me to pathology. Everything in me pulled toward it, and the more I became acquainted with it, the more I knew that it was where I always belonged in medicine.

Q: What excites you the most about joining the U-M Department of Pathology?
A: U-M was the only place that had everything I was looking for in a residency program. I'm excited for the endless opportunities and I feel lucky to work with such amazing faculty and co-residents.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: My favorite ways to spend my free time are with my dog, my partner, crafting, and all things music.

 

Michael Olp, MD

Graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Q: What motivated you to choose a career in pathology?
A: A career in pathology offers the opportunity for life-long learning while applying a broad range of biomedical science concepts toward patient care.

Q: What excites you the most about joining the U-M Department of Pathology?
A: I'm excited to continue my career in a program with strong traditions of clinical excellence as well as innovative basic and translational research.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I enjoy reading, watching TV and movies, live music, physical fitness, programming, and computational modeling.

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We'd like to extend our best wishes to these new residents as they begin their medical journey here in Ann Arbor.

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