Bill Faquin

Bill Faquin, MD, PhD is a Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and serves as a Pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital with subspecialty expertise in Head and Neck Pathology & Cytopathology. He is a key member of the Head & Neck and Endocrine Pathology Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, which handles over 10,000 surgical cases annually and accounts for more than 10% of the MGH Pathology Service case volume. Dr. Faquin is also affiliated with the Center for Head and Neck Cancers at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

Dr. Faquin completed his medical education at Harvard Medical School, followed by residency and fellowship training at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He is board certified in Cytopathology and Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. His clinical practice focuses on cytopathology (particularly fine-needle aspiration cytology) and head and neck pathology, with special expertise in thyroid and salivary gland neoplasms.

Dr. Faquin's research combines expertise in cytopathology and head and neck pathology to investigate key issues in the carcinogenesis of head and neck and thyroid neoplasia. His translational research focuses on the detection, diagnosis, and prognostication of cancers involving the thyroid and salivary glands, squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, and tumors of the jaws and oral cavity. Recent publications demonstrate his leadership in genomic analysis of thyroid carcinoma, molecular diagnostics, and consensus guidelines for mutational testing in thyroid cancer. His work shows a consistent trajectory toward integrating molecular pathology with traditional diagnostic approaches to improve cancer classification and treatment.

Among his notable achievements, Dr. Faquin serves as Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Cytopathology, the premier cytology journal, and is the primary author of the Milan System for Reporting of Salivary Gland Cytopathology, which has become a standard reference in the field. These contributions represent significant recognition of his expertise and leadership in cytopathology.

As an educator, Dr. Faquin participates in the training of pathology residents and fellows at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He is involved in the Head & Neck and Endocrine Fellowship program, which prepares pathologists for academic and clinical leadership roles. His mentorship has contributed to the development of pathologists who have gone on to faculty positions at leading institutions worldwide including the University of Chicago, Mayo Clinic, UCLA, and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Faquin collaborates extensively with the Head & Neck and Endocrine Pathology Division, which includes weekly Head & Neck Pathology Staff Conferences, Head & Neck Tumor Boards, and participation in Endocrine Oncology Conferences. His work bridges clinical practice, research, and education in head and neck pathology, contributing significantly to advances in diagnostic approaches and cancer management.