Cheryl Coffin, M.D.
Coffin to direct Pathology’s translational research efforts
Cheryl Coffin, M.D., has recently joined Vanderbilt Medical Center as professor of Pathology and vice chair for Anatomic Pathology.
She has also been named the Earnest W. Goodpasture Professor of Investigative Pathology for Translational Research and will serve as director of Translational Research for the department.
Coffin previously served as professor and associate chair of Pathology at the University of Utah, and as medical director of Pathology and chair of the Department of Pathology at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
“Dr. Coffin has established an impeccable reputation and is one of the world's leading authorities in soft tissue pathology and pediatric surgical pathology,” said Samuel Santoro, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Pathology. “She will take a leading role in further developing, fostering and integrating translational research in the department,” Santoro said. “I am confident that her focus on quality will enhance our practice of anatomic pathology.”
Coffin earned her medical degree at the University of Vermont School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency in pathology and a fellowship in surgical pathology at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on clinical and translational studies of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors and other soft tissue tumors.
Coffin is also an active member and leader in organizations including the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology and the College of American Pathologists.
She was selected for participation in the Hedwig van Amerigen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women, and is the founder of CHILDx (Children's Health Improvement through Laboratory Diagnostics).
“Vanderbilt is a world-class institution, and its Pathology department excels both academically and clinically,” said Coffin. “Historically, Vanderbilt's Pathology department has contributed much to advances in patient care and knowledge of disease because of its 'forward thinking.' I am excited to be able to contribute to that growth.”