February 3, 2022

Dr. Leslie Bruch has retired from the University of Iowa Department of Pathology after more than 15 years as a member of the neuropathology faculty.  She has been appointed Professor Emeritus of Pathology. She did her undergraduate and medical school training at University of Iowa. Her initial medical specialty choice was Neurology, which she started at the University of Michigan.  After two years of Neurology residency, she switched to Pathology training, also at Michigan.  Neuropathology fellowship training took her to Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to her return to Iowa as an Associate Professor in 2006, Dr. Bruch was an Assistant Professor neuropathologist at the University of Nebraska for 5 years.  Her work impacted many aspects of the department.  She applied broad diagnostic expertise to cover all aspects of neuropathology service work; she provided high-value consultation to her faculty colleagues.  However, she was especially passionate about education.  Many former pathology house staff at Nebraska and Iowa will fondly recall Dr. Bruch in her role as Residency Program Director.  Throughout her career she was heavily involved with medical school education, most recently in the role as Co-Director of Pathology Education and Director of the medical school pathology small groups .  Dr. Bruch has also been a formal and informal mentor to countless faculty and trainees.  In retirement, she plans to focus on other activities, particularly handwoven textiles.