Christopher D. McKinney , M.D., F.C.A.P., F.A.S.C.P.
Joined WPA – 2004
Board Certified, American Board of Pathology

• Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

Specialty Areas of Expertise

• Gynecologic Pathology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Flow Cytometry
• Image Analysis
• Molecular Testing in Neoplastic Diseases

Dr. McKinney is a native of western North Carolina and grew up in Spruce Pine. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology, focusing on clinical laboratory science. After spending two years learning more about clinical laboratories as a technologist in the clinical chemistry laboratory at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. He entered medical school and earned his medical degree with Honors in 1989 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a medical student, Dr. McKinney was awarded a prestigious Howard Holderness research fellowship, focusing on gene expression with a thesis entitled: “Regulation of Expression from Specific Viral Gene Promoters in Methotrexate Resistant Cell Lines”.

After medical school, Dr. McKinney completed a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Virginia, serving as Chief Resident in Anatomic Pathology and completed a 5th year fellowship focusing on surgical pathology and cytopathology, with an emphasis on fine needle aspiration cytology. As a resident, Dr. McKinney pursued additional interests in hematopathogy and flow cytometry, among others, and was the lead author of numerous articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals, including the American Journal of Surgical Pathology.

As a practicing pathologist in the Northeast Tennessee, Dr. McKinney developed expertise in application of computer-assisted image analysis for quantitative assessment of protein expression in various types of cancer. This type of analysis is being used increasingly to assist in determining a cancer patient’s prognosis and to assist in selection of appropriate therapy. Dr. McKinney’s name (and voice) has been familiar to pathologists nationally, having served five years as a reviewer for Practical Reviews in Pathology, a nationally distributed audio and electronic journal review service for practicing pathologists. After practicing with Wellmont Health System and Highlands Pathology Consultants in Northeast Tennessee area for nine years, the lure of returning home to North Carolina closer to family and friends, finally persuaded Dr. McKinney and his family to relocate to the Wilmington area.

When he is not busy practicing pathology, Dr. McKinney enjoys spending time with his wife, Linda, who is originally from Durham, NC, and their two children, Emily and Douglas. He and Linda are very actively involved in the academic and athletic pursuits of their children. Their daughter Emily is a competitive gymnast and Douglas enjoys soccer, gymnastics and golf. Dr. McKinney has a passion for all types of athletics and particularly enjoys golf and basketball (big UNC fan), and enjoys attending UNC sporting events whenever possible.

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