Benjamin Highland, MD

Hometown: Hickory, NC
Undergraduate: The College of William and Mary
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Email: SGZ3JA@uvahealth.org

Congratulations on making it this far. If you are reading this, you are either A) a prospective UVA Pathology applicant or B) someone who spends their time aimlessly reading pathology resident bios. Depending upon which camp you fall into, the utility of this short biographic and persuasive essay will range from “somewhat useful” to a “complete waste of your time.” Read on at your own peril.

First, let me tell you about myself. I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2018 with a BA in Religious Studies, a minor in Biology, and a completed set of premedical prerequisites. My primary interest in college was the scientific and evolutionary study of religion, a topic upon which I completed my undergraduate thesis. After graduation, I moved to Auckland, New Zealand to work with Joseph Bulbulia – a leader in the evolutionary study of religion and a father of two Siamese cats, as well as one human child. Here, I earned a Master of Theology, using longitudinal data taken from a large, national survey (NZAVS) to study the connection between religion and health outcomes. Additionally, I learned to pronounce the letter “Z” in “NZAVS” as “Zed” to avoid the bemused looks of my colleagues. During this time, I spent one day a week volunteering at a hospice, which was an incredibly meaningful experience that served as my eventual impetus to return to the United States and pursue a career in medicine.

I attended Wake Forest School of Medicine with an intention of pursuing a career as a Hematology/Oncology physician. However, I gradually realized that diagnosis – not management – was my true passion. I loved looking at disease processes under the microscope, and I saw a philosophical connection between pathology and my previous work. Also, it didn’t hurt that both my mother and grandfather are/were Pathologists. As such, it became an easy decision to apply to pathology residency programs.

In my free time, I enjoy playing a variety of strategy games (StarCraft: Brood War, StarCraft II, and Stormgate among others). I avidly consume a variety of audiobooks, previously enjoying series such as The Dresden Files and The Sun Eater series, as well as many nonfiction books and Steven King’s IT. I also enjoy playing piano, guitar, and running. Typically, I do not enjoy hiking. Otherwise, I spend my time with my partner Taylor and our three cats.

Second, let me tell you about the UVA Pathology program and why you should rank it #1. UVA Pathology is – in a word – excellent. Drs. Mills, Atkins, and the rest of the faculty provide consistent and compassionate leadership that empowers residents to reach their full potential. The curriculum combines rigorous academics and case volumes with frequent didactics and at the scope teaching. The administrative and support staff are always happy to help and/or answer questions. Perhaps most importantly, though, all of my co-residents are a pleasure to work with. Again, the Pathology program at UVA is – in a word – excellent.

To me, what sets UVA apart from other top pathology programs is its unique combination of smaller size and powerhouse academics. As of 2024, Doximity ranks UVA as the #1 pathology program in the southeast region and a top 15 program in the nation. Unlike other highly ranked programs, though, the centralization of our Pathology program in a single hospital and the relatively low faculty to resident ratio at UVA facilitates the formation of strong personal and professional relationships. I have fun every day at work, and I learn a lot while I am doing it. I would choose UVA’s Pathology program again without hesitation and you should too.