Handled with care and compassion
Our multidisciplinary, person-centered approach to your care at Stamford Health extends beyond the waiting, operating, and examination rooms. This culture of service is also ever-present in our dedicated team of pathologists. We believe in complete transparency when it comes to your medical testing, no matter the time or day.
We meet the diverse needs of patients and families in the surrounding Stamford community. Above all, we help you understand your diagnosis or can provide you with a second opinion.
- CAP Accredited Laboratory: Our laboratory is accredited by College of American Pathologists, Connecticut Department of Health, and recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. For you, that means an exceptional level of care as we strive to go above and beyond the ever-changing standards for laboratory quality.
- Top Doctors: Stamford Hospital has pathologists recognized by Castle Connolly's Top Doctors list and led by Laboratory Medical Director and Chief of Pathology Robert C. Babkowski, MD, MMM. Stamford Hospital has had the largest number of Castle Connolly’s Top Pathologists in Connecticut for the past 15 years.
- Strong Leadership: We have five pathologists and four pathology assistants, all American trained and fellowship sub-specialized, led by Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medical Director Robert Babkowski who advocates a multidisciplinary approach to every case. Together, our team sets expectations which include: timeliness of results, clear communication with physicians, and assuring that all advanced testing is performed.
- Outstanding Customer Service: Our laboratory team doesn't just work behind the scenes to deliver results to your doctors. We're involved in every step of the way to ensure your needs come first, as is echoed in our Planetree philosophy of person-centered care.
- Most Trusted by Patients: The laboratory at Stamford Health is among the most trusted by patients in Fairfield County. You can take comfort in knowing your samples will always be handled with meticulous care.
- Consistent & Convenient Blood Draw Services: We provide convenient hours throughout the week and also on weekends. We also provide home draw service for patients confined to their homes at the direction of their physician.
Expertise Meets Advanced Science
The world of medicine is always evolving, so that means our team is expected to keep current on medical developments so that the most appropriate testing can be provided to you. From primary diagnostic services on your biopsies to the evaluation of tissue removed from you during surgery, our team provides you with diagnostic services on par to major academic medical centers.
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CLINICAL CHEMISTRYThis area concentrates on the fluid portion of blood as well as other bodily fluids. With our advanced technology, we’re able to have state-of-the-art results available to you and your doctor in a timely manner. That means faster time from diagnosis to treatment.
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MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGYWe focus on identifying bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that cause infectious diseases. This allows us to work with your doctor to administer the appropriate treatment as fast as possible. We perform advanced molecular testing to detect such infectious organisms in the most rapid fashion.
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CYTOPATHOLOGYThis is the study of changes at the cellular level caused by disease, and involves the microscopic examination of individual cells. There are three American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)-certified cytotechnologists who assist in biopsies of the thyroid, lung, pancreas, and lymph nodes; they are assisted by two fellowship-trained cytopathologists, Dr. Zu and Dr. Babkowski. Our thyroid biopsy service is the best and most comprehensive in the state and has been recognized by our referring physicians as such for over a decade. We work hand-in-hand with our dedicated thyroid surgeons (Dr. Lee, Dr. McManus) and our endocrinologists.
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SURGICAL PATHOLOGYPathologists work with many surgeons to provide intraoperative diagnoses, especially during tumor/cancer surgery. At Stamford Hospital these intraoperative consultations are performed exclusively by pathologists and not pathologist assistants, residents, or persons in training.
At Stamford Hospital, we have dedicated tumor board reviews to ensure the best management of cancer patients. A tumor board is a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals who meet to discuss and review cancer cases – with the goal of providing the best possible treatment plan to the patient. A pathologist sits on each Stamford Health tumor board which includes breast, lung, hematology, gynecology oncology, genital urinary, and endocrine. We’re the only hospital in lower Fairfield County that has organ specific tumor boards.
We utilize the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as our sole referral source for second opinions. This service is available to all patients.
