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New Resident Spotlight: Camryn Hawkins, MD, PhD

By Lynn McCain | July 28

Hawkin Camryn 500.jpgFor Camryn Hawkins, MD, PhD, the path to pathology began with anatomy and took a few fascinating turns along the way.

Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Hawkins first attended The Ohio State University, where she began her undergraduate studies in speech and hearing sciences. While she initially thought she might become a speech pathologist, “I thought about what I liked when I was an undergrad, and I really liked anatomy,” she said. “That was one of our core classes.”

That interest led her to Ohio State’s anatomy program, where she completed both a master’s degree and a PhD in anatomy. Her doctoral work took an education-focused approach rather than a traditional bench science project. She spent much of her PhD teaching medical, undergraduate, dental, and physical therapy students, shaping her identity as an educator.

“I spent a lot of my PhD teaching and being in the classroom,” Hawkins said. “That was really helpful when I graduated because everybody was looking for people who knew how to teach already.”

A Hands-On Education

Camryn in autopsy rotation at UPMC.Her dissertation explored embalming solutions and how they affect cadaver tissue pliability and appearance during dissection. Students dissected cadavers embalmed with different solutions and were evaluated on their ability to identify structures, while also sharing feedback on their experiences.

“It was a really hands-on kind of project,” she said. “It was fun to do because we got to be in the lab with the students.”

During graduate school, Hawkins also worked as a funeral director and embalmer, further deepening her connection to anatomy and human tissue. After completing her PhD, she joined the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, where she served as director of histology and co-director of anatomy for medical students. There, conversations with pathologists helped spark her interest in the field.

Pathology, she realized, combined many of the things she loved: anatomy, histology, teaching, and clinical problem-solving.

“All of my neuroanatomy was actually taught by a neuropathologist, and he was amazing,” Hawkins said. “He spent a lot of time teaching us how to teach from a clinical standpoint. He would do brain cutting with us and really took his time showing us things.”

That hands-on teaching style made an impression.

“That’s one of the things I love so much about pathologists,” she said. “If you give them the opportunity to teach, they’re going to take it and run with it.”

From Medical School to Pathology

After her time at Cleveland Clinic, Hawkins attended medical school at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Although she entered medical school thinking her anatomy background might lead her toward a surgical specialty, she kept an open mind; advice she now gives to other students exploring career paths.

“I think sometimes you can get pigeonholed into one idea of what your career should look like,” she said. “Being open-minded is the best thing you can do while you’re in medical school.”

When it came time to choose a residency program, Hawkins paid close attention not only to the strength of the training but also to the culture of the program.

“Everyone kept telling me during interviews to pay attention to how people treat each other and the camaraderie of the residency,” she said. “It tells you a lot about what your day-to-day is going to look like.”

Why Michigan

Camryn presenting her poster at NEOMED Student Research Day.Michigan stood out early. During a virtual open house, program leadership gave applicants time to speak candidly with residents, which Hawkins appreciated.

“That really stood out to me because they’re not trying to hide anything,” she said. “They truly want us to get to know the residents.”

Her interview day reinforced that impression. She appreciated being able to observe a morning didactic session and see the educational environment in action.

“All of my faculty interviews that day felt like people were excited to meet me, and I was excited to meet them,” she said. “Everyone was very friendly and open, and the vibes were just really good.”

Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Hawkins has enjoyed the sense of community and the beauty of the area. As someone from the Midwest, she liked the familiarity of the region while also appreciating the energy of a large academic medical center.

“I like being from the Midwest. I wanted to stay in the Midwest,” she said. “Coming here, that vibe was very similar. Everybody’s very friendly, everyone looks out for one another, and it feels like you’re in a really good community.”

She has also been struck by Ann Arbor’s green spaces and welcoming atmosphere.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said. “There are so many green spaces, and Ann Arbor feels very welcoming.”

Learning Every Day

Hawkins began residency on autopsy service, an area she was excited to experience early in training.

“Everyone kind of joked that I got started on a pretty intense rotation,” she said. “But I’ve learned so much. The faculty and my co-residents have been so helpful.”

That rapid learning curve has been one of the surprises of residency so far.

“You hear people tell you it’s a lot and you’re going to feel overwhelmed - and it is,” Hawkins said. “But it’s fun every day to realize that yesterday I didn’t know that, and today I do.”

As she looks ahead, Hawkins is excited to build foundational skills in pathology, especially grossing, surgical pathology, and frozen sections. She is particularly interested in the role pathologists play in patient care and collaboration with surgical teams.

“One of the things about pathology that I think is misconstrued is how little interaction we have with other specialties,” she said. “But you’re conferencing, talking, answering questions. You’re still part of someone’s surgical care.”

Career Interests and Mentorship

Drs. Corrie Stofcho, Camryn Hawkins, Harmony Stanger, and Zachary Stahl - Medical School Graduation.Her current career interests include forensic pathology and pediatric pathology. She is especially inspired by faculty who combine those areas with academic teaching, like Dr. Allecia Wilson.

“I really like forensics,” Hawkins said. “I think I want to be a forensic pathologist, but I’m trying to keep an open mind. I also spent time doing pediatrics as a fourth-year rotation, and I really liked that a lot.”

Long term, Hawkins hopes to remain in academia and keep teaching as a central part of her career.

“I love being in an educational environment,” she said. “Teaching is something I’d still really like to be a heavy part of my career.”

As both a learner and an educator, Hawkins values mentors who meet people where they are. She believes strong teachers are those who understand learners’ backgrounds, give them room to grow, and remain available for support.

“Everyone’s education level is different. Everyone’s experience level is different,” she said. “Really good educators can meet multiple people where they are.”

Life Outside the Lab

Outside of medicine, Hawkins enjoys reading, quilting, movies, fitness, and spending time with her cat. She recently got a Kindle and says she is “always reading something.” She also enjoys arts and crafts and has made several quilts.

“I love movies. I go see movies by myself all the time,” she said. “You’re able to just enjoy the experience of it.”

A self-described proud cat mom, Hawkins also recharges by talking with her mom and friends from medical school, relaxing on the couch, reading for fun, and watching Love Island.

“It’s a really great turn-your-brain-off kind of show,” she joked.

Exploring Michigan

Now that she is in Michigan, Hawkins hopes to explore more of the state, including the Upper Peninsula, wineries near Grand Rapids, lighthouses, and waterfalls. Her broader bucket list includes traveling to Italy, eating plenty of pasta, drinking wine, finishing residency, and eventually running a half marathon or marathon.

Among her fun facts: Hawkins is 6-foot-1, a lifelong Britney Spears fan who has met the pop star more than once, and a lover of musical theater. She participated in theater in high school and college and still enjoys seeing live performances whenever she can.

“I love to support the arts,” she said. “I’ll go see community theater, professional theater - anything.”

Advice for Medical Students

Camryn (left) with her family at her brother's wedding.For medical students considering pathology, Hawkins recommends shadowing broadly and learning what pathologists actually do day to day.

“There are so many different fields in pathology,” she said. “You could have any interest in medicine, and pathology has something to do with it. You can really make any kind of career you want that way.”

Looking Ahead

As she begins this next chapter, Hawkins is especially looking forward to building relationships with her co-residents.

“So many people talk about residency and say their co-residents are their best friends,” she said. “I’m really excited to spend the next four years with them and get close.”

For Hawkins, Michigan offers the training, mentorship, community, and sense of belonging she was looking for, and she is ready to learn as much as she can.

“I feel like everyone has this wealth of knowledge they really want to share,” she said. “I’m excited to take all that in.”

 

 
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