Get to Know Jamie Rogers, DO - August Member Spotlight

Jamie Rogers, DO
Anatomic & Clinical Pathology Resident 
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Tampa, Florida


What is your current role?
I am currently a second year Anatomic & Clinical Pathology resident at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. In addition to my resident position, I serve as a member on the Program Evaluation Committee and as the Culture & Community Champion for our program.

 What is the best part of your occupation? 
Personally, the best part of being a pathologist is the never-ending adventure of discovering new things each time you sit at the scope. The constant learning, detective work involved in working up a case and the wide range of subspecialties makes pathology an incredibly stimulating, exciting, and diverse field to work in.

How did you become interested in pathology?
I became interested in pathology early in my 4th year of medical school during an elective rotation. I remember being excited to come into work and happily volunteering my time after hours to learn more. This excitement stemmed from a fascination with histology and how surgical specimens are processed, from whole organs down to the cellular level, revealing the story they hold. I truly enjoyed this process and knew that I wanted to delve deeper into the field. I can say with confidence that I am very glad I did!

How did you become involved with the FSP?
After moving to Florida from North Carolina for residency, many upperclassmen and attendings encouraged me to get involved with FSP. Earlier this year, I attended my first FSP meeting in Orlando, and it was a fantastic experience. I am certainly planning to attend next year.

Explain how you benefit from being a member of FSP.  
Following the advice from upperclassmen/attendings to join FSP led to numerous beneficial outcomes. I gained valuable networking exposure, ongoing educational opportunities, and the chance to attend the annual conference meetings where I could connect with residents, fellows, and attending pathologists from various institutions. These opportunities to learn from each other's different perspectives have been incredibly valuable and are among the aspects I appreciate most about being involved with FSP.

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? 
During my career, I envision several key developments and advancements. One area for improvement is providing earlier exposure to pathology as a specialty in medical education. Introducing students to the field through in-person electives, shadowing opportunities, and interactive case-based learning mimicking how a pathologist would work up a case has the potential to spark interest and foster a deeper appreciation for pathology. Advances in diagnostic technologies are another essential focus and one of the many hot topics in pathology currently. Innovations like digital pathology, artificial intelligence, and molecular diagnostics can and are revolutionizing how we analyze and interpret specimens for a more targeted approach. It will be exciting to see how the integration of these developments progress and evolve over time. Lastly, continuing to enhance professional awareness of pathology's critical role in healthcare can foster better collaboration, understanding, and appreciation for the specialty.

What are your hobbies outside of the office?
When I'm not in the lab or sitting at the scope, I love playing pickleball and tennis, trying out new cuisines, and traveling whenever my schedule allows it.

What is something surprising that most people do not know about you?
Most people do not know that I started college at the United States Naval Academy, where I qualified and was awarded Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol Medals as part of my marksmanship training.

Is there anything I did not ask that you would like me to mention in this article?
I recently discovered a strong interest in hematopathology and cytopathology! I will continue to improve my knowledge and diagnostic skills in these areas during residency to pursue a fellowship in hematopathology and/or cytopathology.