“We want to be a FiSHy department.” No, we don’t want to engage in unethical/illegal behaviors. Rather, the goal for the Department of Pathology is to enculturate the FISH! Philosophy©.
In January 2023, the Department of Pathology launched a new initiative with FISH! Philosophy training sessions for faculty, staff, and trainees. In May, the first cohort of future trainers, comprised of Melina Adler, Gloria Barkley, Karen Barron, Chris Distelrath, Lynn McCain, and Julene Pummill, met for two days under the tutelage of Gib Kerr to learn how to get members of the department “hooked on FiSH!”
Dr. Jeffrey Myers, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and Quality, who brought the FiSH! training to Pathology, stated "As we continue to explore a brave new post-COVID world in which there is greater flexibility to work from home, it is incumbent on employers to understand why anyone would prefer to be any place other than the workplace! To draw people back into the workplace requires intentionality around the things that make being in the workplace desirable. This includes making it a place in which joy is a frequent - even if unanticipated - experience, and connection with others is fundamental to one's success and well-being. The Fish! Philosophy is not a touch-feely thing - it's about creating an environment in which we can do our best work while feeling enriched by our co-workers."
What is the FiSH! Philosophy? Documented by filmmaker John Christensen, the FiSH! Philosophy captures the practices of the world-famous Pike Place Fish Company in Seattle, Washington. It is an approach that embodies four simple practices that can revolutionize how someone lives and works: Choose Your Attitude, Be There, Make Their Day and PLAY. With the FiSH! Philosophy, one purposely chooses to have a positive attitude, sometimes moment by moment, in how they approach work, life, and one another. With this attitude, they commit to being there, physically and emotionally fully present, for others – really listening to and engaging with each other in a supportive manner. Someone following this philosophy is actively looking for ways to make someone’s day and to introduce elements of play to the work environment- making it more fun to be at work. "Play doesn’t necessarily mean silliness, but play embodies curiosity with the goal to bring more joy and an uplifting of attitude to those with whom you work," explained McCain. This requires relationships built on trust, trust that is earned as we are there for one another and consistently show ourselves as trustworthy.
“I am grateful to be a part of an amazing cohort committed to improving the culture of our department” commented Adler. “This work is challenging, and some days will be easier than others, and I am confident that we will be there for each other on this journey.” Distelrath added, “The FiSH! Philosophy will help make TEAM a reality and not just a cliché in the department.”
To help to spread the FiSH! Philosophy in the Department, a FiSH! for Leaders session was held in June to encourage leaders to implement the FiSH! Philosophy in their units. In addition, the cohort of newly-minted trainers applied for an institutional Wellness grant, which was recently awarded and will soon move forward with plans to conduct additional training sessions across the department. “We FiSH! for engagement, because it is catchy,” quipped Pummill. The cohort is optimistic that this philosophy will spread and improve the culture of Pathology across all levels and among all units of the department. As one, the entire cohort stated, “We are committed to it, we will be it, and we will coach it.”
ON THE COVER
Breast team reviewing a patient's slide. (From left to right) Ghassan Allo, Fellow; Laura Walters, Clinical Lecturer; Celina Kleer, Professor. See Article 2014Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Autopsy Technician draws blood while working in the Wayne County morgue. See Article 2016Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Dr. Sriram Venneti, MD, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow, Chan Chung, PhD investigate pediatric brain cancer. See Article 2017Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Director of the Neuropathology Fellowship, Dr. Sandra Camelo-Piragua serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. 2018Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Residents Ashley Bradt (left) and William Perry work at a multi-headed scope in our new facility. 2019Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
|
ON THE COVER
Dr. Kristine Konopka (right) instructing residents while using a multi-headed microscope. 2020Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Patient specimens poised for COVID-19 PCR testing. 2021Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Dr. Pantanowitz demonstrates using machine learning in analyzing slides. 2022Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
(Left to Right) Drs. Angela Wu, Laura Lamps, and Maria Westerhoff. 2023Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Illustration representing the various machines and processing used within our labs. 2024Department Chair |
newsletter
INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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MLabs, established in 1985, functions as a portal to provide pathologists, hospitals. and other reference laboratories access to the faculty, staff and laboratories of the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Pathology. MLabs is a recognized leader for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, helpful consultants and exceptional customer service.