Susan M. Stillman, MS, PA (ASCP)

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology and Program Director of Pathologists' Assistant Studies Get Contact Info

TEACHES IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM(S)

Department of Health and Medicine Pathologists' Assistant Physical Therapy (DPT)

Biography

Susan Stillman joined Carroll faculty full-time in 2020. She began teaching as an adjunct at Carroll in 2016. She has a passion for teaching pathology, anatomy, and physiology. She also serves as the Program Director for the Pathologists’ Assistant Studies program. Professor Stillman started her career as a Pathologists’ Assistant who graduated in 2003 and worked full-time as a Pathologists’ Assistant for 17 years. She still works part-time at a local hospital system to stay current in the field (and because she enjoys it).

Education

Eastern Virginia Medical School, Ph.D. in Medical and Health Professions Education with a Contemporary Human Anatomy Education concentration (in progress).

Rosalind Franklin University, M.S. in Pathologists' Assistant.

University of Wisconsin - Parkside, B.S. in Molecular Biology.

Areas of Specialization

General pathology
Surgical pathology
Autopsy pathology
Anatomy
Physiology

Scholarly and Professional Achievements

Clinical work as a Pathologists’ Assistant in addition to academic responsibilities to stay current in the field.
Vice Chair of Marketing and Communication (MarComm) Committee for the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA).
Continuing medical education to maintain Pathologists’ Assistant certification.

Service to Carroll University and Profession

Serves on the Carroll Academic Quality Committee.
Serves as the academic advisor to the Carroll Pre-Health Professionals student organization.

What is your teaching style?

I feel strongly that instructors need to gauge students, have open discussions with them and make sure they are following along and understanding. It is important that students feel comfortable enough to ask questions to avoid making critical mistakes. Instructors should also be enthusiastic and extremely well-organized to help students achieve their full potential.

Why do you do what you do?

I received my Master of Science degree from Rosalind Franklin University in 2003. Since then, I have worked as a Pathologists' Assistant and have extensive knowledge of general pathology, surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, human anatomy, and physiology. While in the hospital setting, I taught Pathologists' Assistant students during their clinical year and thoroughly enjoyed helping them become knowledgeable and live up to their potential. Now that I am at Carroll University, I am excited to teach the didactic courses to build the foundation. I have a passion for learning and teaching and love to share that passion with others. I truly loved being a student and always knew that I would return to the world of academia.

How do you make learning engaging?

I feel it is easier for students to understand and retain knowledge when they can apply the material to their personal experience or real-world examples. Using real-world experience while teaching helps students understand the importance of what they are learning and the impact on their future career.

Overall, my primary teaching philosophy is to help students understand and not strictly memorize the material, to use real world applications to help with that understanding and to have them feel comfortable enough to ask questions when necessary. As the program director and instructor, my goal is to help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve (and surpass) their goal of becoming successful Pathologists’ Assistants!