Neuropathologist | Ocular & Head and Neck Pathology | Academic Faculty

Dr. Stephen Nix, MD, MA, is a board-certified neuropathologist and anatomic pathologist with specialized expertise in neuropathology, ocular pathology, and head and neck pathology. He serves as an Associate Professor at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), where he is Course Director for Integrated Principles of Medicine and contributes to the development and delivery of the school's pathology curriculum. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Nix serves as a part-time consulting pathologist for Northwest Arkansas Pathology Associates, providing highly specialized subspecialty expertise to the practice.

Dr. Nix earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Arkansas, followed by his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He participated in the Medical Research Scholars Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) before completing combined Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology residency training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the nation's premier academic medical centers. He is board certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology.

His clinical expertise encompasses the diagnosis of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, brain and spinal cord tumors, ocular pathology, and complex lesions of the head and neck. His experience at the intersection of neuropathology and head and neck pathology is particularly valuable for diagnostically challenging lesions involving the skull base and adjacent structures. Dr. Nix has presented nationally and internationally on these topics and has contributed peer-reviewed publications and book chapters to the pathology literature.

Dr. Nix also brings a strong commitment to medical education and academic pathology. Prior to joining AWSOM, he served as a pathologist and Assistant Professor of Pathology at UAMS, where he was involved in anatomic pathology education and served as Director of Ophthalmic Pathology. His academic interests extend beyond traditional pathology education to include the integration of health humanities and the arts into medical education and clinical practice.

Through his collaboration with Northwest Arkansas Pathology Associates, Dr. Nix provides access to advanced academic subspecialty expertise in neuropathology, ocular pathology, and head and neck pathology. His combination of rigorous Johns Hopkins training, subspecialty expertise, academic leadership, and commitment to medical education strengthens NWA Pathology's ability to provide sophisticated diagnostic pathology services locally in Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding region.

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Specialty
Neuropathology, Anatomic Pathology

Undergraduate Degree
English Literature, University of Arkansas

Medical Degree
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Research Training
NIH Medical Research Scholars Program

Residency
Johns Hopkins Hospital — Anatomic & Neuropathology

Board Certified
Anatomic Pathology & Neuropathology

Clinical Expertise
Neuropathology, ocular pathology & head and neck pathology

Academic Appointment
Associate Professor, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

Academic Leadership
Course Director, Integrated Principles of Medicine, AWSOM

Prior Faculty
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Prior Leadership
Director of Ophthalmic Pathology, UAMS

NWA Pathology Role
Part-time Consulting Pathologist