Meet Our Physicians

Christopher J. Stasik, D.O., FCAP

A board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist with subspecialty certification in hematopathology, Dr. Stasik joined Western & Pinnacle Pathology (WPA) in 2010. A partner by 2013, he became Vice President of WPA and played a key role in developing the group’s mission, vision, and team.  Now, President and CEO, Dr. Stasik, and WPA leadership focus on growth initiatives to improve patient care, accessibility, and standardization.

Dr. Stasik, Dr. Christensen, and Dr. Gilchrist became friends and colleagues during training at the University of Arizona. Their decades-long collegial relationship bolsters the group’s strong foundation and commitment to excellence. Dr. Keeney recently joined the practice and together the group of pathologists coordinate an extended team including histology, lab and pathologist assistants, and billing and operations professionals.

“Our practice has a unique dynamic. Many of our staff have been with us for years. Our lab assistants have grown up with us and now are graduating to better career positions, often within the company. We want everybody to feel extraordinarily valued. Our team is 100% committed to excellent patient care and the betterment of the practice.”

A resident of Arizona since his youth, Dr. Stasik returned home after earning a D.O. degree from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri, and completing his residency at the University of Kansas Hospital and Medical Center. After residency, he completed fellowships in surgical pathology and hematopathology at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  His extensive training, clinical experience, and leadership are crucial contributors to WPA’s vital position within the multi-disciplinary clinical team to deliver rapid patient care.

“All of us make it a priority to communicate with our clinicians. We make sure they can reach us anytime. We know our patients are anxiously awaiting their results. Rather than waiting for days, we provide the initial diagnosis in less than 24 hours in nearly all cases.”

It is WPA’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and growth that is most appreciated by health care providers.

“Beyond our hospital-based work, we do a large volume of breast pathology. Within 24 hours from the receipt of a biopsy, our clinical partners should have a diagnosis. Ancillary testing results necessary to guide cancer treatment decision making are then available within 48 hours of receipt.”

Dr. Stasik is a fellow of the College of American Pathologists and served as the Arizona State Commissioner for the College of American Pathologists Lab Accreditation Program for many years. He served on the board and as President of the Arizona Society of Pathologists. He is the Medical Director of WPA and multiple hospital laboratories and is actively involved in hospital-based conferences and leadership committees. He has published on a variety of anatomic pathology and hematopathology-related topics, given lectures, and participated in patient-centered educational activities.

A husband and father of four, Dr. Stasik enjoys spending time at home with his family, three dogs, a cat, and a chinchilla. In his spare time, he enjoys fly-fishing, taking care of his freshwater fish aquarium, and fitness-related activities.

Donald Christensen, D.O., FCAP

A board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist, Dr. Christensen’s expertise contributes to Western & Pinnacle Pathology’s (WPA) reputation as setting the gold standard in Maricopa County for pathology diagnostic services.

An Arizona native with expertise in surgical pathology, particularly breast, cytopathology, and hematopathology, Dr. Christensen’s friendship with Dr. Gilchrist and Dr. Stasik grew during their training at the University of Arizona. The pathologists’ camaraderie and clinical expertise created a team committed to delivering rapid, actionable, accurate diagnoses.

Dr. Christensen’s focus on timeliness and accuracy ensures WPA provides preliminary results quickly and accurately to improve patient care.

“I proactively reach out to make sure oncologists and other clinicians have what they need to do their job, and as a private practice with our own lab, we do it a lot quicker.”

After earning his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (OD) degree from A.T. Still University in Missouri in 2004, Dr. Christensen returned to Arizona to complete his anatomic and clinical pathology residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson, serving as chief resident in 2008. His residency complete, Dr. Christensen served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a staff pathologist at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Texas before joining WPA.

During his military service, Dr. Christensen’s collaborative style and ability to convene a multi-disciplinary treatment team were pivotal to his success. It wasn’t long before his executive skills earned him multiple Medical Director titles and he began coordinating healthcare services for veterans across several specialties including microbiology, cytopathology, and transfusion services.

A warm, approachable, and confident clinician, Dr. Christensen earned The Army Achievement Medal for “providing outstanding leadership, selfless service, and exceptional performance above and beyond the call of duty”. Today, those same qualities continue to make Dr. Christensen and WPA the choice for pathology in the state.

“In our group, we do everything we can to give the patient the best chance.”

Dr. Christensen is a husband and a busy father of three; he spends his free time running on Arizona trails and playing tennis with friends in a local city league.

Kevin B. Gilchrist, M.D

An Arizona native, Dr. Gilchrist’s interest in science began in his youth. He completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Arizona State University, then went on to medical school at The University of Arizona where he graduated in the top 5% of his class and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

During his Tucson residency, Dr. Gilchrist forged lifelong friendships with his colleagues, doctors Stasik and Christensen. Early into their careers, they were fortunate to realize their goals together as partners in Western & Pinnacle Pathology (WPA).

“We trained together in Tucson where the culture was to always be the best. Now as partners in our own private lab, we are able to directly control specimens from beginning to end and doctors know we’ll get it right.”

As a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist, Dr. Gilchrist is accustomed to working behind the scenes, reviewing the latest research and case studies.

“Most patients don’t even know pathologists exist because we’re not the doctor they see in a physician’s office or hospital, but we play a role in every area of medicine. When surgeons and oncologists have a difficult case, we’re involved in the discussion of options and how to better help the patient.”

Because pathology is complex and constantly evolving, remaining current is critical. Dr. Gilchrist participates in clinical conferences and network committees. His leadership and commitment to patient care drive him to pursue the highest quality and standard of care.

“Our practice receives a large volume of cases, especially breast cases, and we know the importance of turning diagnoses around as quickly as possible. We don’t want patients waiting, unnecessarily worrying, or having any necessary treatment delayed a day longer.”

In addition to a fellowship and specialized experience in gastrointestinal pathology, Dr. Gilchrist’s expertise includes cytology, hematopathology, surgical pathology, and breast pathology. Special interests include small luminal biopsy evaluation, large oncologic resection specimens, as well as liver and pancreas biopsies. He has published and presented on a variety of GI-related topics and is a member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the United States and Canada Academy of Pathology, the College of American Pathologists, and the Arizona Society of Pathologists.

As a medical student in Tucson, Dr. Gilchrist merged his sense of adventure with his emerging clinical skills while working as a search and rescue volunteer for the National Park System at the Grand Canyon. Now he spends his free time cycling on Arizona trails and in the summer heat, escaping to cooler mountain locations including Colorado and Utah.

Michael G. Keeney, MD

A board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist, Dr. Keeney specializes in women’s healthcare. After earning his M.D., Dr. Keeney completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he served as chief resident. Following residency, he remained at the Mayo Clinic to complete two fellowships in surgical pathology and multidisciplinary breast pathology before relocating to Arizona.

Dr. Keeney’s clinical training at the Mayo Clinic spurred his focus on curable cancers and deeply influenced his commitment to a team-based, patient-centric model of care.

“I envision every biopsy as coming from my own family member – that piece of tissue actually belongs to somebody. They’re waiting to hear if their whole life is going to change.  I try to bring this level of care and service not only to patients, but also the physicians treating those patients. Everyone deserves answers in a timely manner.”

Dr. Keeney is a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathology and the College of American Pathologists. He has researched and written extensively on the human papillomavirus (HPV) and breast health.

Dr. Keeney joined Western & Pinnacle Pathology in 2021 to further leverage his expertise and pursue his career focus in women’s healthcare.

“I was aware of Western & Pinnacle Pathology’s reputation in the Valley. They provided extensive breast pathology services, their turn around time for patient results was incredible, and their referring physicians were very satisfied. I knew joining their team would be a great fit.”

As a Minnesota native, Dr. Keeney enjoys the outdoors and visits The Boundary Waters Canoe Area when time permits.