Advisory Board Spotlight: Heather Gaburo and the Pursuit of Standardization

Madison Heights, MI, [September 2]: Mopec is proud to welcome Heather Gaburo, MHS, PA(ASCP)cm, to its Clinical Advisory Board. A Pathologists’ Assistant, project leader, mentor, and longtime contributor to the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants, Heather brings a passion for standardization and a practical understanding of pathology workflows, education, and patient care.

Heather’s interest in pathology grew from her love of human anatomy, fascination with disease processes, and desire to help others. While pursuing a graduate degree in forensic science, her experiences in anatomy laboratory and forensic pathology prompted her to explore other professions based in anatomy. She discovered the pathologists’ assistant role and was immediately drawn to its hands on nature and direct impact on patient care. After spending a week shadowing a Pathologists’ Assistant, she knew she had found the right path.

As a student, Heather rotated through several hospitals and observed different approaches to handling the same types of specimens. The experience showed her how greater consistency could strengthen specimen handling, data collection, education, and patient care. It also helped shape her commitment to developing standards that are both evidence based and practical for daily use.

Heather has contributed extensively to the AAPA throughout her career. She served on its Board of Trustees from 2022 through 2024, including as Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer. She has also held leadership and authorship roles within the AAPA Grossing Guidelines, contributed to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, and mentored prospective Pathologists’ Assistant students since 2010.

Today, Heather serves as Project Manager of the AAPA Grossing Guidelines, overseeing the development of structured electronic protocols designed for use by Pathologists’ Assistants and pathologists in their daily workflows. She also serves as Technical Director for the Panel of National Pathology Leaders, supporting national collaboration and innovation in pathology and laboratory medicine. Her continued work as a per diem Pathologists’ Assistant keeps her connected to the everyday realities of the laboratory.

This combination of national leadership and clinical practice gives Heather a valuable perspective on the future of pathology. She is excited to see digital pathology become part of clinical practice and views artificial intelligence as a powerful tool for patient care, education, and research when built on high quality, standardized data.

Heather believes these technologies will expand, rather than replace, the expertise of pathology professionals. She sees pathology becoming more integrated in clinical decision making, with informatics, digital pathology, and artificial intelligence creating new opportunities to connect information, improve efficiency, and support more consistent care.

“Creating evidence based consistency in specimen handling, data collection, and terminology can help ensure that patients receive the same quality of care, whether they are treated in an urban medical center or a rural community.”

As a member of Mopec’s Clinical Advisory Board, Heather looks forward to collaborating with other pathology leaders and contributing real world laboratory perspectives to future tools and solutions.

“Collaboration is such an important part of innovation,” Heather shares. “The opportunity to contribute real world laboratory perspectives while helping shape future tools and solutions that can impact pathology practice and patient care is especially meaningful to me.”

Outside of pathology, Heather enjoys backcountry skiing and photography.

Mopec is honored to welcome Heather to its Clinical Advisory Board. Her clinical experience, national leadership, and commitment to practical standardization will bring an important perspective as the board helps guide innovation around the evolving needs of pathology professionals and their patients.