About MAWD Pathology

Integrity, accuracy and timeliness are core values in every area of our practice.

MAWD has served hospitals and physician practices in Kansas City and surrounding communities since 1969. We provide diagnostic services in the areas of anatomic and clinical pathology, as well as cytology.

Our pathologists are fellows of the College of American Pathologists and are Board Certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Anatomic Pathology, or Clinical Pathology. Every MAWD Pathologist has at least one area of expert focus, even when subspecialty board certification is not available. They are available for consultation 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and welcome and appreciate interaction with physicians.

We are committed to patient safety and excellence through:

Our pursuit of proven, state-of-the-art technology and accurate testing methods.
Our excellent professional staff, who at all times are aware of and concerned for the patient’s welfare.
Rapid and accurate reporting of patient diagnoses using secure, electronic methods.

Our History

MAWD Pathology Group was incorporated in 1969 as a C corporation.

MAWD’s unusual name comes from the first initials of the original four pathologists who started the group: William McPhee, MD, Louis Allen, MD, Earl Wright, MD, and C. Terrence Dolan, MD. During the first decade, the group focused on providing hospital services to the Kansas City region. The first hospitals were North Kansas City Hospital (NKCH), Spelman Memorial Hospital, St. John Hospital, Cushing Hospital, Excelsior Springs Medical Center, Liberty Hospital, and Wright Memorial Hospital. Other hospitals were added during the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.

At the urging of North Kansas City Hospital, the group started a reference laboratory to provide more esoteric testing to its hospitals and also to the physician offices associated with the hospitals. An information system was needed to integrate the entire laboratory’s testing data with the hospitals. This system eventually became a separate entity: Cerner. The clinical reference laboratory was sold in 1990 but the professional anatomic pathology practice was retained.

We have now grown to involve over 50 pathologists caring for more than 250,000 patients a year. Every pathologist at MAWD is Board Certified by the American Board of Pathology and has at least one area of expert focus, even when board certification is not available. We are proud to employ many of the region’s recognized leaders in subspecialty pathology.