Get to Know Anwer Siddiqi, MD April Member Spotlight

Anwer Siddiqi, MD
Attending Pathologist
University of Florida Jacksonville
Pathology Residency Program & Pathology Clerkship Director
Jacksonville, Florida

What is your current role?
I am an Attending Pathologist in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Florida, COM- Jacksonville. My sub-specialty is cytopathology, and I am also the Pathology Residency Program & the Pathology Clerkship Director.

What is the best part of your occupation? 
It’s very satisfying to guide and train residents and fellows into their career path, to see them flourish and be successful in their chosen areas of practice. Using Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) for palpable lesions and providing immediate diagnosis to the physicians for their patients is also very satisfying.

How did you become interested in pathology?
During medical school, Robbins (Pathologic Basis of Disease) captured my interest and became my favorite textbook; I loved to read that book and eventually when the time came to elect a specialty, I choose Pathology as my field of practice.

How did you become involved with the FSP?
When I first moved to University of Florida COM-Jacksonville as the residency program director, I was extremely busy with the program and mostly attended National and International meetings such as APC, USCAP and CAP. Later on, I got to know about FSP through Dr. Bui’s tireless efforts to promote and improve this organization. That’s how I became involved with FSP.

Explain how you benefit from being a member of FSP?
FSP provides opportunities for the Florida Program Directors (PDs) and Pathologists to meet and cooperate in improving their residency and fellowship programs. This close cooperation among the PDs helps the residents and fellows when they are looking for fellowship or job opportunities within Florida.

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?
I would like to see improved personalized medicine based on pathologic evaluation and gene profiling. Also, I would like to see improved awareness of the importance of Pathologists and their work among medical students, other practicing physicians, hospital administrators, and politicians who are making decisions about physician reimbursement.

What are your hobbies outside of the office?
I love to travel and enjoy cooking. Some of my friends have the same passion. When they come over, we cook together. It’s much more fun than cooking by yourself.

What is something surprising that most people do not know about you?
I have always loved to travel. Following my interest, I secured my private pilot’s license and a plane fifteen years ago. I also became a member of the flying physicians association and had exciting time going places.