Professor Britt-Marie Ljung helped develop puncture cytology at the University of California in San Francisco

Professor Britt-Marie Ljung was involved in the development of puncture cytology at the University of California in San Francisco. She obtained her MD degree from KI in 1975 and specialized in cytopathology and puncture cytology from 1978 to 1980 at Karolinska, Radiumhemmet, Tumor Pathology. After completing her residency training at UCLA from 1980 to 1983, she worked as a physician at UCSF from 1983 to 2014 and has been a Professor Emeritus since 2014.

Britt-Marie chose to study at KI because she found medicine interesting and exciting. Her time at KI laid the foundation for lifelong learning and emphasized the importance of not procrastinating. She had a strong sense of camaraderie among students and made lifelong friendships. After graduating from KI, she pursued a career in puncture cytology and pathology in the United States, eventually becoming a professor at UCSF.

Currently, Britt-Marie is involved in teaching cytology to fellows, focusing on puncture techniques, microscopic diagnosis of complex tumors, and molecular techniques. She works part-time at the puncture clinic and teaches fellows about puncture techniques and the diagnosis of resulting specimens. She finds it stimulating to work with younger colleagues and meaningful to provide answers to patients seeking diagnosis.

Britt-Marie's studies at KI were highly valued in the US healthcare system and facilitated her transition to the American medical field. The training in puncture cytology she received at Radiumhemmet was invaluable and allowed her to become an expert in a relatively new field. She plans to continue her part-time work, develop her piano skills, stay active, and spend time with friends and family.

Her advice to current students is to not be afraid to explore different areas and to be open to changing directions if something feels right. She emphasizes that many people, including herself, end up in careers different from their initial expectations, and it's important to find what works best for oneself.