Dr. Jonathan I. Epstein is a world-renowned pathologist who established himself as the preeminent authority in urologic pathology during his nearly four-decade tenure at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He held the distinguished Reinhard Professorship of Urologic Pathology and served as Director of Surgical Pathology at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1985 until 2024. A Boston University School of Medicine graduate (MD, 1981), he completed his anatomic pathology residency at Johns Hopkins followed by an oncological pathology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His rise through the academic ranks at Johns Hopkins culminated in his leadership of one of the most influential urologic pathology services in the world, training generations of specialists in the field.
Dr. Epstein's groundbreaking contributions revolutionized the diagnosis and grading of prostate cancer, establishing diagnostic criteria that have become the global standard for clinical practice and research. His seminal work on prostate cancer grading systems, particularly the development of the Epstein criteria, has been instrumental in improving diagnostic accuracy and patient management worldwide, with his publications cited over 134,000 times and an impressive h-index of 175. As lead author on pivotal studies that shaped the current classification of bladder cancer, his research has fundamentally transformed how pathologists evaluate and report these conditions, directly impacting treatment protocols. His extensive scholarly output, including more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications, 21 authored books, and 73 book chapters, represents one of the most comprehensive and influential bodies of work in modern pathology.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Epstein has profoundly shaped the field through his leadership as former President of the International Society of Urological Pathology and as a founding member of the Genitourinary Pathology Society, establishing professional standards that guide practitioners globally. He maintained one of the largest surgical pathology consulting services in the world, reviewing approximately 12,000 cases annually and training four genitourinary pathology fellows each year, thereby extending his methodological rigor to countless practitioners worldwide. His editorial appointments across 11 major medical journals, including the American Journal of Surgical Pathology, have allowed him to influence the direction of research publication and quality standards in his specialty. While recent events have altered his institutional affiliation, Dr. Epstein's diagnostic frameworks continue to serve as the foundation for urologic pathology practice, ensuring his enduring legacy in the precise characterization of genitourinary diseases.
