"It was an interesting time, to say the least," she said. Pinn completed her post-graduate and residency training in the Boston area where she eventually joined the faculty of the Tufts University School of Medicine, where she stayed from 1970 until 1982.
A winner of several teaching awards while at Tufts, Pinn specialized in pathology with a particular interest in kidney and renal diseases. She also held administrative positions at the school, and managed a clinic. In 1982, Pinn relocated to Washington, D.C., where she became chair of the pathology department at the Howard University Medical School. While at Howard, Pinn served as president of the National Medical Association, a national organization that represents some 20,000 African-American physicians.
The experience of teaching and managing a department at a predominantly Black institution proved to be a gratifying experience, according to Pinn. She said she especially enjoyed mentoring and teaching at Howard, and maintains close contact with her former students.
"I've enjoyed teaching and being a role model to students. It comes easily to me because I know how difficult it can be when there's no one around like yourself to be supportive," Pinn said.
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