Get to Know Megha Joshi MD January Member Spotlight

Megha Joshi, MD

Boston, MA 


What is your current role?

I am a practicing pathologist in a Community Hospital north of Boston. Our hospital is part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health System. At Winchester Hospital, I also serve as a Medical Director of two outreach laboratories. I am very active in CAP and am in a Leadership position as Sergeant of Arms in the HOD Steering Committee. I am proud to have been part of the college's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workgroup and serve as the Chair of the Massachusetts division in the House of Delegates. As an Executive Committee Member of the Massachusetts State Pathology Society, I am aware of the lobbying and advocacy efforts necessary at the state level. So, I wear a lot of different hats.

Currently, I am running for the Vice Speaker's position in the House of Delegates Steering Committee of CAP.

What is the best part of your occupation? 

I love going into the Radiology suite, looking at fine-needle aspirates from different sites, and assessing EUS samples in the endoscopy unit. Interacting with my clinical colleagues and assisting them in managing and diagnosing is fulfilling. I like being part of a team and conducting several tumor boards (Head and Neck, Breast, Thoracic, and General tumor board), where I understand the nuances and diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of the patients we diagnose. I am thrilled by the challenges of frozen section diagnoses and enjoy learning from my mistakes, always a humbling experience. I also like looking at our own data, submitting abstracts for conferences, and attending national and international meetings, be it thyroid or placenta. I recently presented at the ECC (European Cytology Conference) in Poland, October 2021 an E-poster and a Platform Presentation.

How did you become interested in pathology?

I went into Pediatrics after medical school. But, due to unfortunate family circumstances (my father passed away suddenly during my house posts in Pediatrics), I had to support my younger brother, who was still in middle school. Pathology residency in India allowed me to have a steady income during postgraduation, and I switched due to monetary reasons. But I think it was a wise decision. I was always a basic science kind of person and could look at histologic sections and blood smears for hours under the microscope. Pathology came naturally to me. I was blessed to study at premier institutes (Tata Memorial, India and Harvard, USA) with wonderful pathology Gurus in India and the US. 

How did you become involved with the FSP?

As a member of the House of Delegates and as a Chair of the MA delegation, I had heard how Dr. Bui was instrumental in making the Florida State Pathology Society the most vibrant of all state societies. Dr. Zhai is a friend and mentor. I knew him more during his successful run for Board of Governor. All candidates for election were kindly invited to meet the FSP members in July 2021. I now saw first-hand the wonderful meetings held by FSP and immediately decided to become a member of the society. I look forward to attending FSP meetings in the future.

Explain how you benefit from being a member of FSP?

Who doesn't like to come to Florida? As an out-of-state member, I look forward to escaping the blistering winter in Boston. Your meetings during President's Day weekend are the perfect solution to winter woes. I loved the scientific content of the well-organized meetings, the locations, and especially talking to fellow pathologists and understanding their concerns. As a part of the Leadership Committee of the CAP, it's a privilege to be a member of 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? 

I would like Pathology to become digital like radiology. I look forward to diagnoses augmented by AI. Especially, this pandemic has taught us the importance of working remotely. The digital revolution of Pathology can do just that. Molecular pathways and genetics are revolutionizing the practice of medicine. It is important for pathologists to retain the disciplines of molecular and genetic medicine in the pathology scope of practice.

What are your hobbies outside of the office?

I have been part of a dance troupe in Boston for the last 30 years. We perform every year. I also teach dance (Indian Classical/ Bharatnatyam) through Nrityanjali, a dance school in the area. My husband is a jazz musician, and we sometimes perform together. I literally have danced to his tune! My husband and I love swimming in the lakes of New England and biking in Cape Cod.

What is something surprising that most people do not know about you?  I was fortunate to start a pathology non-profit AIPNA (Association of Indian Pathologists in North America), in 1995. Knowing first-hand how pathology is practiced in India and in the US, I wished to bridge the gap. AIPNA allowed us to hold yearly conferences in India and in South Asia and participate in pathology education throughout the world (Bangkok, Jordan, South Africa, and elsewhere). Working for 25 plus years for this US non-profit has brought me much solace and happiness as I connect with pathologists internationally. I love being a global pathologist and part of the IAPM, ECC, ICC, and connecting with pathologists in Asia, Africa, and Europe.