Lester D. R. Thompson

A man of many talents—and even more passport stamps.

Specialty: Head & Neck Pathology, but also: making mortals feel underachieving.

Books Authored: Over 430 academic publications and several medical textbooks. Rumor has it, even his footnotes have fan clubs.

Frequent Flyer Status: 125 countries visited and counting. If his luggage could talk, it’d have a memoir.

Hidden Talents: Cake decorating, stained glass artistry, underwater exploration, weightlifting. Basically, if it can be mastered, he’s probably done it. Twice.

Cats: Yes—and they know they’re lucky.

Life Philosophy: Be curious. Be kind. Bring cake.

Spotted: Wielding a scalpel with the same finesse he uses to apply buttercream.

Seen in the wild: Morocco, Mongolia, Mumbai, and maybe your next pathology conference.

A more serious version:

I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (with an emphasis in Finance) at Washington Adventist University in 1984. I thoroughly enjoyed editing the school newspaper and year book and operated "Columbia Investors". I completed medical school at Loma Linda University in 1988 while teaching anatomy for the dental and physical therapy students. After an Orthopedic Surgery internship in 1989, I completed an Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency at University of California--Los Angeles in 1993. At UCLA, under the direct influence of Drs. Yao-Shi Fu and Dorothy Rosenthal, I developed a strong interest in head & neck pathology and in cytology. After doing advanced training in Cytopathology, I joined the United States Navy (CAPT, MC, USNR, now retired). With triple Board Certification in Pathology, I worked for nearly a decade at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (Washington, DC), developing a specific interest and expertise in pathology of the Head and Neck and Endocrine organs. During this time, I served as Chief of the Division of Otorhinolaryngic-Head & Neck Pathology, Chief of the Division of Immunopathology, and Assistant Chairman, Department of Scientific Laboratories. I have continued to enjoy research (over 430 papers), started the Head and Neck Pathology Journal (editor for the first 15 years). I also serve on the editorial boards of a number of peer reviewed scientific journals. I have authored and edited 12 textbook on topics in Head and Neck and Endocrine organ pathology, including work on the World Health Organization's books for Head and Neck and Endocrine Organs (three editions: 3rd, 4th, and 5th), serving on the standing editorial board for the 5th edition. I thoroughly enjoy traveling, weight lifting, stained glass, cake decorating, SCUBA, making cufflinks and any time with my wife and cats!