In high school, Atkinson was shy and bookish, a girl who loved science, nature and reading. She married a man who shared her interest in birdwatching, and after college she became a mother. When she decided to go to medical school, the women around her worried that her children would suffer. But both her husband and her father encouraged her. Atkinson was one of the only students at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia who had to schedule childcare along with her classes and labs.

In medical school, her leadership abilities began to emerge. Her class elected her student representative on the school’s Board of Trustees. After completing her residency in cytopathology, she was named director of the clinical residency division.

“It was very unusual to be offered a leadership role right out of residency,” Atkinson says. “Then I became the chair of pathology and I realized I enjoyed leadership. I enjoyed putting together the best department I could envision.”

Atkinson evolved her leadership style from the ground up. As she learned, she realized she was good at seeing the big picture and envisioning a better future. Her specialty in pathology was particularly conducive to administration, because she had to work closely with hospitals and consult with other physicians and scientists. “A pathologist is also part of basic science and clinical curricula, bridging those specialties,” Atkinson says.

Connecting specialties and bringing people together has been an integral part of Atkinson’s work. She believes in strong partnerships, wide-ranging collaborations and the mutual sharing of resources and expertise.