Michael Kyriakos, MD

Michael Kyriakos, MD, professor of surgical pathology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, is an internationally recognized expert in musculoskeletal pathology. He has been a major contributor to clinical and educational efforts in musculoskeletal pathology at both Washington University and at national and international venues as an invited speaker. Pathologists and surgeons from the United States continue to seek his consultation advice on the diagnosis and treatment of difficult musculoskeletal tumor cases.

In addition to his clinical achievements, Kyriakos has left his mark on the field as a dedicated teacher. In that role, colleagues say, he exemplifies the high standard to which his surgical pathology trainees aspire. During his career, he has taught the aspects of general surgical pathology to his residents with emphasis not only on the fundamentals of tissue diagnosis, but also its impact on the patient. Kyriakos has held several leadership positions, including 10 years as director of the Washington University-Barnes Hospital School of Cytotechnology and 25 years as director of the Barnes Hospital Cytotechnology Laboratory.

Kyriakos has published more than 120 papers and textbook chapters. In recognition of his contributions to musculoskeletal pathology, he has received the Founder’s Gold Medal, the Corrine Farrell Award of the International Skeletal Society, and the Henry L. Jaffe Gold Medal from the Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York. He was founding associate editor of the journal Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology, a position he has held for the past 25 years.

Kyriakos earned his bachelor’s degree in 1958 from the City College of New York and his medical degree in 1962 from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. He completed his internship and residency in anatomic pathology at Barnes Hospital, and after two years as research associate at the National Institutes of Health, he trained in surgical pathology at Barnes Hospital under Lauren V. Ackerman, MD. He joined the faculty in 1967.