URMC Pathologist Honored for Advancing Knowledge of Breast Cancer

David G. Hicks, M.D., director of Surgical Pathology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, received a prestigious award Sept. 13, 2011, from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for his efforts to improve the diagnosis of breast cancer.

He received the CAP Excellence in Education Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in continuing education in the field. Hicks designed and presented a rigorous program that gives pathologists the knowledge and skills to improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis and factors involved in prognosis.

 “I am humbled to be recognized for work to which I am deeply committed,” said Hicks, who was a member of an international task force that changed the standards in 2010 for testing estrogen and progesterone, two important biomarkers, in breast tumors.

Hicks earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Canisius College of Buffalo, and received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He completed his internship and residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

David G. Hicks, M.D. Bio.
University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave., Box 626
Rochester, NY 14642
Appointment: (585) 275-URMC

> Patient Care Bio
Dr. Hicks is Director of Surgical Pathology. His innovative approaches to improving efficiency and quality in surgical pathology have been highlighted in publications and invited lectures sponsored by national pathology organizations. He has implemented a subspecialty-based surgical pathology system, combining disease-specific diagnostic and prognostic expertise with translational research based on organ systems and disease categories.

As a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Immunohistochemistry Standardization, and co-author of their consensus recommendations, he is a leader in the emerging effort to achieve the full potential of immunostaining as a tissue-based quantitative ELISA test.
He has been appointed to an ASCO/CAP panel that is developing national guidelines on estrogen receptor testing in breast cancer, having served recently on a similar panel that made important recommendations to improve HER2 testing in breast cancer.

> Research Bio
Dr. Hicks’ first research interest was in bone pathology. He received NIH funding to study the effects of lead on the epiphyseal plate, and collaborated on related studies with faculty in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Rochester. He published extensively on metabolic and neoplastic bone disorders. While Director of Surgical Pathology and Co-director of the Morphologic Molecular Pathology translation research resource at the Cleveland Clinic, he expanded his interests in breast pathology, with particular focus on prognostic molecular markers and development of advanced tissue-based diagnostic techniques.

His current clinical translational research interests focus on molecular risk factors for breast cancer and preanalytical variables that affect the accuracy of new diagnostic technology in surgical pathology.

> Awards & Honors
Dr. Edith E. Sproul Teaching Award | Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute     2006
John Beach Hazard Distinguished Teaching Award | Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation     2002
Duthie-Evarts Education Award | Dept of Orthopaedics, URMC     1997
Andrew W. Mellon Dean’s Teaching Scholar | University of Rochester     1996 – 1999
Kappa Delta Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award for Outstanding Orthopaedic Research | American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons     1995
Certificate of Commendation for Excellence in Medical Student Teaching | University of Rochester     1993
Arthur Purdy Stout Award | US and Canadian Academy of Pathology     1991
Stowell-Orbison Award | US and Canadian Academy of Pathology     1989
Award in Honor of George H. Whipple, M.D. | Rochester Academy of Medicine     1984
Member, Alpha Omega Alpha     1984
Robert Katz Award for Clinical Research Excellence | University of Rochester     1984

> Education
MD | Medicine | University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry    1984
BA | Biology | Canisius College

> Specialties
Anatomic Pathology – American Board of Pathology

> Post-Doctoral Training & Residency
Residency in Anatomic Pathology at Hospital of University of Pennsylvania    07/02/1985 – 07/01/1989
Internship in Internal Medicine at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania    07/01/1984 – 07/01/1985

> Current Appointments
Director, Surgical Pathology – Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD)
Professor – Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD) – Primary
Director, Surgical Pathology – Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD)
Professor – Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD) – Primary