Megan Samuelson, MD, clinical associate professor and director of anatomic pathology in the Department of Pathology, received the Jo Ann Benda Surgical Pathology Professorship during a Carver College of Medicine investiture ceremony on April 17.
The professorship supports an obstetric and gynecologic surgical pathologist who excels at anatomic pathologic practice or research and who coordinates with colleagues in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in patient care.
As former faculty members in the UI Department of Pathology, Jo Ann Benda, MD, and Charles Platz, MD, have cared for thousands of patients and mentored numerous residents, fellows, and trainees. They significantly influenced and contributed to the field of surgical pathology–particularly in gynecologic pathology.
“This is a true vote of confidence in Dr. Samuelson’s work in anatomic pathology,” says Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “This generous support is central in propelling her—and our larger team—to be successful in carrying out our mission, and it’s a powerful endorsement of our collective vision to create a strong health care system for Iowa and beyond.”
Samuelson received her medical degree from the Carver College of Medicine and completed residency and fellowship training at UI Health Care. She joined the Department of Pathology as a faculty member in 2012 as a surgical pathologist and cytopathologist with a clinical focus on gynecologic pathology. Throughout her career, Samuelson has delivered high-quality clinical care, trained resident and fellow physicians, and collaborated with colleagues on translational research in the field of gynecologic oncology.
As the former surgical pathology director, she led the transition to sub-specialization within the division and has grown the gynecologic pathology group into a flourishing subspecialty service at lowa.
The Jo Ann Benda Surgical Pathology Professorship was made possible through a generous donation from Dr. Charles Platz and Dr. Jo Ann Benda, both emeritus professors in the Department of Pathology.