Nationally-recognized pathologist Paul N. Staats, MD, named Chair of Pathology at University of Maryland School of Medicine

Will serve as Chief of Pathology Service at UM Medical Center, Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UM Medical System, and President of the University of Maryland Pathology Associates, PA

2025-10-07

(Press-News.org) Paul N. Staats, MD, a nationally recognized expert in cytopathology and gynecologic pathology, has been appointed Chair of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Department of Pathology, effective September 29. Paul N. Staats, MD, a nationally recognized expert in cytopathology and gynecologic pathology, has been appointed Chair of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Department of Pathology, effective September 29.

He steps into his permanent role overseeing an UMSOM department of 35 faculty, 16 residents, and three fellows, that provides clinical services to University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown and Midtown Campus), UM Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute, UM Shore Regional Health, and UM St Joseph Medical Center. Dr. Staats will serve concurrently as Chief of the Pathology Service at University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Additionally, as President of the University of Maryland Pathology Associates, PA, he will oversee the department’s community faculty practices and independent clinical laboratories.

Dr. Staats also begins a new role as the Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), coordinating pathology services across 12 UMMS hospitals and more than 150 clinical locations across Maryland.

“Since joining the faculty, Dr. Staats has spearheaded projects to modernize and expand our clinical and anatomical pathology operations, and demonstrated exemplary dedication to cultivating the next generation of practitioners and researchers,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is also the Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean. “His focus on improving diagnostic practice and translating innovation to ensure excellence in patient care makes Dr. Staats uniquely suited to move the Department of Pathology forward in advancing our core missions of research, education, clinical excellence, and community engagement.”

"Dr. Staats is stepping into this vitally important leadership role at an exciting time for UMMS, UMSOM, and the field of pathology,” said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMMS. “His ability to foster strong clinical and research collaboration will not only help us further deliver on our commitment to excellence in diagnostic service but also position us to reach new heights in clinical practice and discovery."

“The Department Pathology has made significant contributions to UMMC’s national reputation as a leader in clinical innovation,” said Bert W. O'Malley, MD, UMMC President and CEO. “I’m pleased to have an accomplished investigator, clinician and educator at the helm of this critical team as we continue to build new capabilities around emerging pathology technologies and further accelerate advancements in patient care. Dr. Staats is the ideal leader to move that vision forward.”

Academic Leadership

After earning a BS in Chemistry from Yale University and receiving his MD from SUNY Upstate Medical University, Dr. Staats completed training in anatomic and clinical pathology, cytopathology, and gynecologic pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School before joining UMSOM in 2009 as an Assistant Professor of Pathology.

Before becoming Interim Chair, Dr. Staats served as director of anatomic pathology operations, director of cytopathology, and director of the cytopathology fellowship program at UMMC. Additionally, he served as the director of anatomic pathology at the UMMC Midtown Campus, where he was previously the laboratory medical director.

In these roles, Dr. Staats has led numerous major projects focused on improving pathology laboratory and clinical efficiency, including integrating pathology services between hospital campuses, reformatting electronic medical records across UMMS hospitals, and fundamental redesign of the UMMC anatomical pathology workflow, operations and facilities.

As Interim Chair, he drove partnerships of UM Pathology Associates with UM Shore Regional Network and UM St Joseph Medical Center. He also expanded outpatient laboratory services in partnership with UM Capital Region Health in Largo and Laurel. Meanwhile, he has overhauled departmental operations and solidified the department’s financial foundation. He also serves as Medical Director of the UMMS Epic Beaker laboratory information system transition project and Co-Chair of the UMMS Laboratory Stewardship Committee.

Research and Scholarship

A nationally recognized scholar and pathology researcher with 56 peer-reviewed publications and 12 book chapters, Dr. Staats is a leading expert in cytopathology and gynecologic pathology. His research interests focus primarily on improving the diagnostic practice of pathology, including refining the morphologic criteria used for categorization of malignancy and advancing ancillary testing patterns, as well as improving laboratory quality and efficiency practices.

Dr. Staats is also a member of the Hormone Responsive Cancers Program within the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center Program in Oncology. There, he collaborates with both clinical and basic research investigators to develop innovative approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer, gynecologic cancers, and prostate cancer.

Service and Recognition

Dr. Staats is past-president of the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology, and current chair of the Association of Pathology Chairs Fellowship Directors Committee, where he oversees the effort to move pathology fellowship recruitment to a national match system. He also serves a member of the editorial review boards for the Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology and the International Journal of Gynecologic Pathology.

As a UMSOM educator, Dr. Staats has twice won the Harlan I. Firminger, M.D. Faculty Teaching Prize in Pathology, in 2014 and 2019, and was named Best Attending Pathologist Teacher in Anatomic Pathology by pathology residents in 2011 and 2018. He was awarded the Association of Pathology Chairs Margaret Grimes Distinguished Achievement Award in Graduate Medical Education in 2024 for his work on pathology fellowship match.

“I have spent my entire career in the Department of Pathology at University of Maryland School of Medicine and have benefitted enormously from faculty mentorship and the supportive environment of the department.” said Dr. Staats. “I am honored to have the opportunity in these roles to give back to the Department, the School, the Medical System and the communities we serve. I am excited to lead the Department of Pathology forward to greater excellence across all aspects of our academic mission.”

“I am enthusiastic to take on the new role of UMMS Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, furthering the close partnership between the University and the Medical System. I strongly believe that the alignment of laboratory services across all of our member organizations is critical to advancing the care of our patients,” said Dr. Staats.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, established in 1807 as the first public medical school in the U.S., continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world. The School has nearly $500 million total research funding, 46 departments, centers, and institutes, more than 2,200 student trainees and over 3,000 faculty members, including notable members of the National Academy of Medicine. As the largest public medical school in the DC/MD/VA region, faculty-physicians are working to help patients manage chronic diseases like obesity, cancer, heart disease and addiction, while also working on cutting-edge research to address the most critical generational health challenges. In 2024, the School ranked #12 among public medical schools and #27 among all medical schools for R&D expenditures by the National Science Foundation. With a $1.3 billion total operating budget, the School partners with the University of Maryland Medical Center to serve nearly 2 million patients annually. The School's global reach extends around the world with research and treatment facilities in 33 countries. In Maryland, the School of Medicine is spearheading new initiatives in AI and health computing and partnering with the University of Maryland BioPark to develop new medical technologies and bioengineering ventures. For more information, visit medschool.umaryland.edu.

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