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Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford
Stephanie Anderson, DVM, didn’t set out to become a pathologist … or to land in Missouri. A native of Salem, New Hampshire, she studied animal science at the University of Maine and earned her DVM from North Carolina State University. But one elective changed everything.
“I took a necropsy elective at the end of my first year of veterinary school and thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing,’” Anderson said. “I loved being able to examine the cases and piece together what happened. Pathology gives closure to clients, gives a voice to animals and tells their stories — and I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
Once she decided she wanted to further her education in veterinary pathology, Anderson explored different externship programs across the country. A recommendation from her mentor led her to the University of Missouri’s Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL).
For her externship, Anderson spent two weeks shadowing the VMDL’s residents and learning about the lab’s operation. That experience not only inspired her to pursue a clinical pathology internship at Mizzou, but the quality of training and mentorship she received convinced her to stay for her residency as well.
“I had never experienced such camaraderie among the pathologists or such a strong support from the faculty for the residents,” she said. “Mizzou feels like a little family, and that’s so hard to find.”
For Anderson, that sense of belonging sealed her decision to stay. Beyond the breadth of cases and technical training, she was drawn to the culture of mentorship, collaboration and independence. It was the kind of environment where she knew she could thrive both personally and professionally.
Building independence and confidence
At the VMDL, residents are encouraged to take ownership of their cases from start to finish. From deciding which tests to run to interpreting complex findings, the program cultivates independence, while ensuring guidance is always close at hand. As a second-year resident, Anderson said that balance has been key to her growth.
“It pushes you to stay sharp and take initiative, but there’s also an incredible amount of support if you need it,” Anderson said. “That mix of independence and assistance has really helped my confidence in my abilities.”
Residents at Mizzou encounter an exceptional variety of cases that go far beyond typical hospital patients. From classic farm animal lesions to rare or unusual pathologies, every case provides an opportunity to build diagnostic skills. “Seeing a wide variety of cases, that might not be typical to what you see in hospital patients, has really expanded my understanding,” she said.
The program also embraces emerging technologies, like digital pathology, to prepare residents for the future of the field. Anderson particularly enjoys a weekly mystery slide exercise and the lab’s new slide scanner, which allow residents to practice examining cases digitally, as well as under the microscope. These skills give VMDL residents important exposure to the skills increasingly in demand in diagnostic and remote pathology roles.
Developing expertise through support and teamwork
Collaboration is central to the VMDL mission. Complex cases often require insight from multiple specialists, and residents learn early that seeking input is part of great science.
“For any case that comes in, you can’t assume you’re going to know everything about it,” she said. “If one pathologist isn’t sure, they’ll point you to another because they value the strengths in every single pathologist we have. Everyone is open to collaborating.”
Anderson credits much of her growth to Keiichi Kuroki, DVM, PhD, her resident mentor and a professor in the Department of Pathology and Integrative Biomedical Sciences. Beyond technical training, Anderson said Kuroki models the kind of mentorship that she hopes to emulate in the future.
“He really cares about the residents and makes us a priority,” Anderson said. “He remembers what it was like to be a resident and does everything he can to support a healthy work-life balance. He’s always receptive to any feedback that we have.”
Kuroki said Anderson’s progress speaks for itself. “Dr. Anderson is a remarkably dedicated resident whose curiosity and passion for pathology shine through in everything she does,” he said. “She embraces the work she does with enthusiasm, and it has been inspiring to watch her professional growth.”
Eyes toward the future
Currently in the second year of the three-year residency program, Anderson looks forward to the next steps of her career and returning to New England to be closer to her family. She’s considering both diagnostic and digital pathology roles, career paths that would allow her to leverage the skills she’s developed at Mizzou.
“I would love to work as a diagnostician, but I’m also drawn to the flexibility offered by a digital pathology role,” she said. “The training I’ve received at Mizzou has set me up well for either path.”
Reflecting on what she values most about her time as a resident, Anderson highlighted the faculty. “The pathologists here are so encouraging, no matter what direction you want to take,” she said. “They prioritize your training and your education above all else, and that’s made all the difference.”
For Anderson, the decision to choose Mizzou still feels like the perfect fit. “On paper, I had other offers from programs that seemed ideal,” she said, “but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mizzou is where I’m meant to be. I’m so grateful to be here.”