To highlight the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department at Humber River Health, we interviewed Associate Pathologist Dr. Savita Kulkarni, who has been here at Humber for 36 years.

Could you describe your day-to-day role?

Depending on the rotation, we receive specimens from the OR for rapid diagnosis. Then, the lab technologist processes it within 10-15 minutes and I must review the slide for an appropriate diagnosis. A process is then followed to see if anything is a health concern and needs to be checked on or removed. If it is cancerous, the surgeon may have to conduct a radical operation. We do routine diagnosis for the remainder of the day.

What or who inspired you to become a physician?

I did not have a mentor, as I am the first physician in my family. My father, however, wanted me to study medicine, so I did and ended up liking it. I knew I wanted to go into Pathology while completing my undergraduate education.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love how my job is never boring. Aside from the daily routine I have to follow, every case is different and there is always something you haven’t seen for the last 20 years that suddenly pops up again. In this field, you can never stop learning, there is always something new coming. This included new modalities for diagnosis like new stains that are more helpful to the oncologists, that can indicate where a primary tumour is coming from. It’s like solving a puzzle.

Why Humber?

I completed a couple of locums before joining York-Finch. Once here, I felt the difference. I find that compared to other hospitals, there is good correlation and comradery with the surgeons and everything goes smoothly and is well organized. I came to know people so quickly. I never found any reason to move.