Drs. Cone Sullivan and Skala named to 40 Under Forty List
By Lynn McCain | July 15
Congratulations to Drs. Stephanie Skala, assistant professor of genitourinary, gynecologic, and surgical pathology and director of surgical pathology, and Jensyn Cone Sullivan, assistant professor of transfusion medicine, director of blood bank, and incoming director of the transfusion medicine fellowship program, on being named to the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s 40 Under Forty list!
The ASCP 40 Under Forty program recognizes members under the age of 40 for achievements and leadership qualities impacting pathology and laboratory medicine. Pathologists, Laboratory Professionals and Residents are chosen annually through an application or nomination process. The program has recognized worthy members of the laboratory team nationally and internationally. Voting is now open on the top 40 nominees for selection to the Top Five, awarded in-person at The ASCP 2024 Annual Meeting! Click here to cast your votes – and vote daily through July 22nd, no login or email address required.
“ASCP’s 40 Under Forty program is an opportunity to recognize the next generation of pathology and medical laboratory leaders from around the globe,” said ASCP President Robert Goulart, MD, MASCP. “By providing support and encouragement to these young professionals, we aim to strengthen the medical laboratory workforce during this period of historic change in healthcare delivery. We are very fortunate to have such a talented group of individuals – they will help to shape the future of patient care.”
Dr. Kamran Mirza, assistant chair for education and director of training programs and communications, nominated these two exceptional young pathologists stating:
Dr. Jensyn Cone Sullivan's remarkable contributions to clinical pathology coupled with her leadership in med-ed and patient care, make her an outstanding nominee for this program. Dr. Cone Sullivan boasts an impressive background. Her postdoctoral training at Harvard-affiliated hospitals has underpinned a career in blood banking and cell therapies. Her research in alloimmune platelet refractoriness and AMR has significantly advanced patient treatment protocols. A prolific scholar and dedicated mentor, Dr. Sullivan has received numerous honors, highlighting her potential for lasting impact. Her nomination underscores her exemplary dedication to improving healthcare outcomes, leadership in pathology, and commitment to medical education.
Dr. Stephanie Skala has showcased outstanding dedication, innovation, and leadership, particularly in gynecologic pathology, renal cell carcinoma, and ovarian tumors. Dr. Skala's leadership roles in surgical pathology and as Program Director for the Gynecologic Pathology Fellowship demonstrate her commitment to clinical excellence and education. Her impactful research, notably in vulvar squamous cell carcinomas, alongside her dedication to teaching and professional service, exemplify the qualities the ASCP award honors. Dr. Skala's work not only advances pathology but also influences patient care protocols, making her a deserving nominee for this prestigious recognition.
“I am honored to be included among this distinguished group of pathologists and laboratorians,” said Cone Sullivan. “Blood transfusion—the most common hospital-based procedure per the Joint Commission—is often lifesaving. However, obtaining sufficient compatible blood products can be challenging, particularly for highly alloimmunized sickle cell disease or platelet refractory patients. I hope this award opens opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and funding as we seek approaches to effective transfusion in these populations.” Cone Sullivan's research has piloted innovative techniques to increase blood product availability for highly alloimmunized, difficult-to-transfuse patients. She also develops proactive inventory management strategies and guidelines for the ethical allocation of blood products. Her work has been recognized as an annual Highlight of ASH (American Society of Hematology, 2022), and she was selected for the NIH's prestigious Early Career Reviewer Program for the Transplantation, Tolerance, and Tumor Immunology Study Section. An engaging educator, passionate about mentoring future clinical pathologists, she was honored as the Pathology Trainee-Selected Mentor of the Year at Tufts Medical Center in 2022.
“I am honored to be recognized by ASCP as one of this year’s 40 under Forty along with this remarkable group of individuals,” Skala stated. “One of my major education-related goals has been to increase recognition of the importance of gross pathology and gross-histologic correlation for optimal patient care. Even as new technologies develop, morphologic/gross evaluation and pattern recognition may lead to changes in grossing protocols or staging criteria for cancers.” Skala’s work has led to reassessment of published staging criteria, allowing some patients to avoid the morbidity of lymph node sampling (chronic lymphedema, etc.) in situations where lymph nodes are highly unlikely to become involved by tumor, and is cited in published cancer staging protocols.
Show your support for our two exceptional young faculty! Vote now, and daily, through July 22nd.
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