Wilma Virella-Santana, MD

Anatomic & Clinical Pathologist

Dr. Wilma Virella-Santana is an Anatomic & Clinical Pathologist in San Juan, PR with special training and skill in determining the origin, type, and severity of a disease. As an Anatomic & Clinical Pathologist, Wilma Virella-Santana, MD performs laboratory tests to detect and treat the causes of illnesses. Anatomic Clinical Pathology is the study of disease in bodily fluid, tissues, and organs. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Anatomic & Clinical Pathologists include diabetes and cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Anatomic & Clinical Pathologists include diagnostic tests on blood, urine, sputum, feces, spinal fluid, pleural fluid, and belly fluid, as well as biopsy and autopsy.

A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the laboratory application of the biologic, chemical and physical sciences. A pathologist uses information gathered from the microscopic examination of tissue specimens, cells and body fluids, and from clinical laboratory tests on body fluids and secretions for the diagnosis, exclusion and monitoring of disease.

Pathology Technologist

An individual educated and trained in clinical chemistry, microbiology or other biological sciences; and in gathering data on the blood, tissues, and fluids in the human body. Tests and procedures performed or supervised center on major areas of hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis. Education and certification requires the equivalent of an associate degree and alternative combinations of accredited training and experience. (2) A specially trained individual who works under the direction of a pathologist, other physician, or scientist, and performs specialized chemical, microscopic, and bacteriological tests of human blood, tissue, and fluids. Also known as medical technologists, they perform and supervise tests and procedures in clinical chemistry, immunology, serology, bacteriology, hematology, parasitology, mycology, urinalysis, and blood banking. The work requires the correlation of test results with other data, interpretation of test findings, and exercise of independent judgment. The minimum educational requirement (for one of several certification programs in medical technology) is a baccalaureate degree with appropriate science course requirements, plus a twelve-month, structured, AMA approved medical technology program and an examination; or a baccalaureate degree with appropriate science course requirements and experience.