FSP Spotlight | Get to Know Meg Neal, MD

Welcome to this edition of the FSP member spotlight. Every month we will highlight a different FSP member who is doing exciting things in the field of pathology. This month we are particularly excited to spotlight a recent Presidential Service Award winner, Margaret "Meg" Neal, MD, who won the award this month at the FSP's 46th Annual Pathology Conference in Orlando, Florida. President Morton H. Levitt, MD awarded her with the Award for her many contributions to the advancement and continued success of the FSP over the last decade under her service. Congratulations Dr. Neal!

    Margaret "Meg" Neal, MD
    Past President, FSP Board Member
    CAP House of Delegates
    Tallahassee, FL 

What is your current role?

I am a current Board member, chair of the Nominating Committee, FL delegate to the CAP House of Delegates, member of the Education Committee, and past president.

What is the best part of your occupation? 

The best part of being a pathologist is the requirement for broad ever-changing knowledge base dealing with many unique conditions, the work with many clinical specialties and colleagues, and the close association with other pathologists I work with, all for the best care of our patients

How did you become interested in pathology?

I did a rotation when in end of 3rd year medical school, and knew then that this was the specialty for me.  I believe that the role of the pathologist in patient care is so very different from the exposure one gets in the early part of medical school in understanding the pathologic basis of disease, that further exposure to the specialty of anatomic and clinical pathology during clinical years would benefit every medical student in understanding the role pathologists and laboratories play in the care of every patient.

How did you become involved with the FSP?  

Drs. Patty Gregg and Ross Wheeler, both prior presidents, encouraged me to attend the regular FSP meetings, as well as the Board meeting which is open to the membership, and presented me the opportunity for more involvement and leadership track in FSP.  

Explain how you benefit from being a member of FSP 

Being a member of FSP promotes great opportunity for regular networking with colleagues throughout the state at the twice a year meetings. The meetings provide outstanding internationally recognized speakers in beautiful venues.  Equally important is the FSP support  and lobby for our specialty in the state legislature and through the FMA.  Without that continuing advocacy, our specialty would have many more battles.

What would you like to see occur in the field of pathology (i.e., scientific advances, greater awareness of the field, etc.) during your career? 
With the increasing medical school curriculum being disease rather than subject based I believe fewer medical students have no more than a mostly elementary exposure to pathologists and their role in medical care.  Finding more ways to reach those medical students with interest in pathology is a pressing need.

What are your hobbies outside of the office? 

I love to spend time with my family, read, calligraphy, scuba dive, garden, travel, play the piano, and do handwork.

What is something surprising that most people do not know about you?     
I fell in love with my husband of 40 years while backpacking through Europe.

Is there anything I did not ask that you would like me to mention in the article? 
I am proud to be a member of KWB Pathology Associates in Tallahassee FL for over 30 years.