Pick a Pathologist Pal Day is a holiday observed annually on December 13th and is actually a pretty odd holiday. We think it’s an odd holiday because this day actively encourages people to become friends with a pathologist or a coroner. A pathologist is a medical healthcare provider who examines human bodies and their tissues.

They are responsible for performing lab tests and reaching diagnoses within a treatment team setting. And coroners are individuals who investigate sudden, suspicious, or violent deaths. We’re not sure why we’re picking one of these two professionals as a friend, but that’s exactly what we’re supposed to do on this strange, strange holiday.

The History of Pick a Pathologist Pal Day

This holiday was invented several years back by Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy at Wellcat.com. This website is known for creating a variety of odd, strange, and humorous holidays including Get a Different Name Day, Stay Out of the Sun Day, and Name Your PC Day.

Facts About Pathologists & Pathology

Below are some quick facts about pathologists that we think everyone should know about while they’re celebrating Pick a Pathologist Pal Day.

• There are over 18 different specialties in the field of pathology.
• Some pathology fields worth mentioning are toxicology and clinical embryology.
• Approximately 70% of hospital diagnoses are supported by pathologists.

Observing Pick a Pathologist Pal Day

The alleged reason for observing this holiday is that befriending a pathologist or a coroner will give you a new perspective on life. That your association with them will allow you to see just how short life really is.

Of course, we’d rather spend the day learning more about pathologists and pathology, but maybe that’s just us. We’d also rather just spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #PickAPathologistPalDay than worry about striking up a friendship with a pathologist.