Pathologists’ Assistant Program Celebrates Senior Seminars and Graduation

On July 10, 2025, the graduating class of Pathologists’ Assistant (Path A) Program students gave their senior seminar presentations in Duke’s Barrus Conference room to Department of Pathology faculty, Path A Program staff, family, and friends.  The senior seminar is the last course that students need to complete in order to finish the program. It culminates with a professional presentation of a pathology (autopsy) case.

In their presentation, each student reviewed patient history, autopsy findings, and a offered a brief review of the main disease processes unique to their autopsy case. Students also showcased their own macroscopic specimen photos and histology photomicrographs, which they learned how to produce after completing two semesters of biomedical photography. At the end of each of their presentations, they fielded questions from the audience.

The senior seminars were followed in the evening by the Path A Program’s annual graduation banquet at the University Club in Durham, North Carolina. During the banquet, Program Director Michelle Johnson, MHS, PA (ASCP)^CM honored each graduating student individually on the stage.

During the event, Robert Satterwhite received the 2025 Pamela Vollmer Teaching Award, which is annually is given to the individual whose knowledge, teaching, and professionalism have had the most positive impact on their training. Satterwhite has been an autopsy technician with Duke Autopsy since 2000. 

Additionally, Jessica McMahon, MHS, PA(ASCP) received the 2025 Resident Teaching Award, which is given to the staff Path A whom residents have voted as having distinguished themselves in teaching effort and ability.  McMahon has been a staff Path A in surgical pathology and autopsy at Duke since August 2022.