The Harvard Medical School Department of Pathology seeks to engage in the full spectrum of pathology education, research and clinical services of the highest quality through: (a) a commitment to excellence; (b) strong clinical collaboration and consultation in patient care; (c) a continuous search for new knowledge; (d) sensitivity to the needs of patients, students, trainees, faculty and the community; and (e) the judicious use of resources. Pursuit of this mission is characterized by a commitment to integrate the full range of perspectives and clinical educational, scholarly efforts that now exist within the Department's affiliated programs through close collaboration that optimizes the unique strengths and expertise of each institution and creates synergy through aligned goals and efforts.

The Harvard Medical School Department of Pathology has the following objectives:

  • Promote the delivery of clinical diagnostic services in a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective manner.
  • Pursue basic scientific inquiry into the pathological basis and mechanisms of human disease.
  • Emphasize the importance of clinical and translational research and facilitate the rapid application of new discoveries, technology and other innovations into the diagnosis and care of patients.
  • Educate students and physician trainees to deliver clinical services of the highest quality.
  • Facilitate career development of an academic faculty with a broad range of professional interests and skills; enable mentoring at all career levels; foster diversity among the faculty, trainees and employees.
  • Foster an intellectually-stimulating environment and collegial workplace that promotes broad collaboration across the clinical, educational and research missions.

Although each of the four major teaching hospital affiliates of Harvard Medical School is an independent corporation with its own clinical, training and research programs, extensive collaborations exist across the tripartite mission through complementary, interdigitated and specialized roles that optimize the existing expertise and unique strengths of each participant institution.