Jeffrey C. West, MD

Dr. Jeffrey C. West is a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist with a special interest in hematopathology, inspired by his research background in immunobiology. After matriculation at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, he completed a five-year residency in pathology at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was chief resident in anatomic pathology.

He joined Danbury Hospital after two years of private practice in Maine and has practiced in this setting for more than 20 years. In addition to neoplasms of the lymph nodes and blood, his interests include gynecologic, breast and general surgical pathology. When not in front of the microscope, Dr. West is an avid musician and performer.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health?
I have been a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist for over 25 years with a special interest in lymph node, bone marrow and blood pathology. My experience, training and post-graduate education have allowed me to implement up-to-date molecular and other ancillary techniques to give accurate diagnoses with updated classifications and staging.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
Truth, honesty and integrity. I treat no patient sample simply as a “number” or “case” and I fully understand and sympathize with the anxiety and apprehension that patients have while waiting for an interpretation and the possible life-changing consequences of my decisions.

The only thing I expect from my patients is patience. The majority of our reports are finished within 24 to 48 hours after receipt of the specimen, but large and/or complicated specimens may take more time due to the application of special studies or the need for additional material or information. We want the reports to be completed quickly, but individual cases may require more time.

How do you spend your personal time when you're not caring for patients?
As a classically trained musician, I try to surround myself with as much music (instrumental and vocal) as possible and participate in several ensembles. My other interests include the natural world, art (particularly contemporary art) and genealogy.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
I grew up in an atmosphere of pathology and medicine with a parent who was first a medical technologist and who eventually became a pathologist. My interests as a youth were very broad but I eventually gravitated to pathology.

The intellectual stimulation and continuous learning needed to keep up with this ever-expanding field in order to give accurate and timely diagnoses is my reward.