Can you believe it's already been a year? 
It's hard to believe – and it's actually a little more than a year now, about 15 months. There are two factors that made it feel like it went very fast. The first is that I'm enjoying it tremendously. The second is that there is a lot to do and when you're busy, time flies. 

What are you most proud of or happy to have achieved in that first year that you've been here? 
First and foremost, it is getting to the place where I feel I'm part of the amazing team here. It didn't take long at all before I felt that this is my new home, departmentally and institutionally. I am also happy that we have built out a very collaborative leadership team both on the faculty and the administrative sides. Finally, I am proud of our growth. We've been able to attract a lot of talent across the board, including in areas like AI and computational to support the future success of the department.  

What's the biggest thing that surprised you as you were starting to get to know the department in the past year (or 15 months)? 
This is a remarkable department of pathology. We are on the frontlines, and we have a lot of differentiating factors, cell therapeutics, the amazing neurodegenerative program, all the emphasis on computational and diagnostic innovation are just some examples. Having said that, we're not perfect. While it is not unusual for a high-powered established department to have gaps, I must say I was a bit surprised by how much work still remains.  

In a way that is good because it gives me the opportunity to contribute! I am hoping I can help the team with streamlining operations, process improvement strategies, and moving forward with integration both with our downtown and regional partners.  

How would you characterize the culture at Penn and how is it different from other places that you've been? 
If I have to pick one word it would be collaborative. It is extremely collaborative. I know everybody says that, so I will take it a step further. It's not just collaborative in the science, it's collaborative in every aspect here. For example, the clinical operation of the almost 20 departments we have at Penn Medicine is quite complex and among department chairs, I see everyone coming together, providing guidance, sharing lessons learned, and being very supportive. For me as a new chair that was tremendous. Also, within the department, the number of people who are willing to step up and help with all of the tasks that we have ahead of us is impressive and beyond what I have observed before. The majority of faculty and staff are motivated and driven to achieve a common goal. There is a strong sense of pride in being a member of Penn Medicine and being a part of a leading academic institution.  

Now for a more fun question. What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia or the Philadelphia area? And then follow that up with what's the weirdest thing about the Philadelphia area that you've noticed? 
Nice one. Let's talk about the favorite. The Eagles. I'm also working on adding the Phillies to the list. Being someone who didn't grow up in this country it is taking me a while to come around to baseball. But the Eagles? I was a fan before, and now I can claim it as my sport team. We love living in Center City; My wife Ruby and I enjoy the restaurants, the museums, the performing arts venues. I got the opportunity to travel around to all our regional partners and I was so taken by the nature and the beauty of the surrounding area, which is something I wasn't previously familiar with.  

For the second part of your question, I guess the noise you have to adjust to when living in Center City – the motorbikes and ATV’s with loud music turned way up as they drive around, took some getting used to.  

Final question - what are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years? 
We just launched the process of developing a strategic plan with our partners at Penn Medicine Academy. I'm looking forward to engaging everyone, all the working groups and group leaders to put together a roadmap for where we want to be in the next three to five years. I'm looking forward not only to the formation of that plan, but also to its implementation. My goal is to maintain the distinction of being a top five funded research program in the country, and to integrate our clinical enterprise into one system with complete harmonization among the six, and hopefully soon 7, hospitals that Pathology serves. Our goal is to make it so that our patients, no matter where they enter the system, receive the same high-level quality of care that they deserve.  

Thank you so much for your time! 
Thank you!