COVID-19 presents in a variety of ways, and hearing survivors’ stories helps us understand its complexities. For those of us who have experienced the virus firsthand, sharing our own stories helps us heal. 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by three ASCP Patient Champions. Ms. Cathrine Solomon, RN, Transplant Coordinator for Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, Ms. Lynnette Chakkaphak, MS, MT(ASCP), Director of Clinical Operations at St. Vincent’s HealthCare in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mr. Anthony Reed, CEO of Kidney Trails and kidney transplant recipient. 

Our panelists describe the COVID symptoms they experienced, explaining the steps they took to protect their families and how their backgrounds in healthcare informed the way they managed the illness. Listen in for Ms. Solomon, Ms. Chakkaphak, and Mr. Reed’s insight on making the decision to get vaccinated for the virus and learn about the role laboratory professionals play in saving people’s lives.

 Topics Covered  

·  Symptoms the panelists or their family members experienced that made them suspect they had COVID
·  The long-hauler phenomenon
·  How a background in laboratory medicine can help understand what was happening and ask the right questions
·  The challenges of Mr. Reed’s COVID journey in light of his history as a transplant patient
·  The steps our panelists took to protect themselves and their families from contracting the virus
·  Ms. Solomon’s harrowing story of losing both parents to COVID while she suffered from the virus herself
·  Ms. Solomon and Ms. Chakkaphak’s experience with COVID convalescent plasma donation
·  The COVID treatments received during hospitalizations
·  How Ms. Solomon’s experience as an RN informed her ability to navigate the virus
·  Making the decision to get the COVID vaccine and the minor side effects experienced
·  How COVID highlights the role laboratory professionals play in saving people’s lives 

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Ms. Solomon on LinkedIn
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Connect with Ms. Chakkaphak 

Ms. Chakkaphak on LinkedIn
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Connect with Mr. Reed

Kidney Trails
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Ms. Swails on Twitter
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Resources 

Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store
ASCP Patient Champions
Anthony’s COVID Experience on the Kidney Trails Blog 

Vaccines have revolutionized public healthcare, helping us eradicate a number of debilitating and deadly diseases. And yet, many people are hesitant to get vaccinated for COVID-19. So, how do the new Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines work? And are they truly safe? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Dr. Dan Milner are joined by Ms. Lindsey Clark, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM, Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Sciences at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Hana M. El Sahly, MD, Associate Professor of Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, and Mr. Anthony Reed, Founder and CEO of Kidney Trails and ASCP Patient Champion, to discuss vaccine safety. 

Dr. El Sahly explains how the COVID vaccines work, walking listeners through the most common reactions to the Pfizer and Moderna iterations and describing how a vaccine’s safety is ensured—even when its release is accelerated via Emergency Use Authorization. Listen in for Ms. Clark and Mr. Reed’s insight on how they, as high-risk patients, made the decision to get vaccinated and learn what we can do to encourage vaccination among those with reservations. 

Topics Covered  

· The four main categories of vaccines and why live, attenuated vaccines are not recommended for immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals
· How mRNA vaccines deliver the code necessary to trigger an immune response and the most common local and systemic reactions to the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines
· The rigorous testing and approval process for vaccines 
· Why COVID-19 vaccines received Emergency Use Authorization and how EUA differs from approval
· Safety data the medical community is gathering as COVID vaccines are rolled out 
· Open questions around whether existing COVID vaccines protect against variants
· Concerns of high-risk patients about getting the COVID vaccine 
· Why it’s crucial for people who’ve been vaccinated to continue social distancing and wearing masks until we’ve built herd immunity
· Hesitations around getting vaccinated for COVID and what how to encourage vaccination among those with reservations 

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Dr. El Sahly at Baylor College of Medicine 

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Mr. Reed on LinkedIn 

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Resources 

Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store
Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial Data
Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial Data
ASCP Patient Champions

Forty-five percent of all medical laboratory workers have more than 20 years of experience, while only 23 percent have been on the bench for five years or less. A retirement bubble is coming and burnout among lab professionals is high in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. What can we do to recruit more people for MLS programs? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Kristina Behan, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Department Chair of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of West Florida, Mr. James Payne, MS, Phlebotomy and Laboratory Science Teacher at the WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Program in Spencerport, New York, and Ms. Susan Graham, MS, MT(ASCP), Department Chair and MLS Program Director of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science at SUNY Upstate Medical University, to discuss recruitment for MLS programs. 

Our panelists share what they are doing as educators to increase the number of young people entering a career in laboratory medicine. Listen in for Dr. Behan, Mr. Payne, and Ms. Graham’s insight on MLS education in the post-COVID era and learn what we can do as lab professionals to boost enrollment in clinical laboratory science programs. 

Topics Covered 

· The four categories of stakeholders who share concerns around the sustainability of university-based medical laboratory sciences programs
· Strategies for growing the number of graduates to fill vacancies in the laboratory
· How the pandemic affected MLS programs and the resilience of students in laboratory medicine
· The value of career fairs and sharing classroom activities with middle and high school teachers 
· How laboratory professionals can help boost enrollment in MLS programs by providing shadowing opportunities, hosting field trips and offering to do stories for local media 

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Dr. Behan at the University of West Florida
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BOCES 2 CTE at WEMOCO
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Ms. Graham at SUNY
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Resources 

Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store
ASCP Patient Champions Program
ASCP Career Ambassador Programs 

To get the best outcome for patients, communication between anatomic and clinical pathologists is critical. And although the field is small, specialists in infectious disease pathology are especially equipped to facilitate collaboration among AP and CP lab professionals.  

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Dan Milner and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Clare McCormick-Baw, MD, PhD, AP/CP-Trained Pathologist and Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Clark, PhD, D(ABMM), Associate Director of Microbiology at Clements University Hospital at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Jonathon Wilcox, MD, Third-Year AP/CP Resident at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and Ms. Karen Jaworski, MT(ASCP), Microbiology Supervisor at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, Texas, to discuss infectious disease as a bridge between anatomic pathology and clinical pathology. 

Our panelists explore the value of interfacing among infectious disease, clinical pathology and anatomic pathology professionals to improve patient care and what barriers exist in collaborations between anatomic pathologists and clinical microbiologists. Listen in for Dr. McCormick-Baw, Dr. Clark, Dr. Wilcox and Ms. Jaworski’s insight on how COVID has affected their working relationships and learn more about the unique, specialized field of infectious disease pathology. 

Topics Covered  

·  What makes infectious disease pathology unique in terms of the division between anatomic pathology and clinical pathology
·  Why it’s crucial for AP and CP colleagues to communicate around infectious disease cases
·  The role the bench tech plays in IDP, AP and CP in terms of biosafety and patient care
·  How COVID has affected the panelist’s working relationships and how previously established relationships among departments improved their response to the pandemic
·  How AP-CP communication and infectious disease could be incorporated into diagnostic or multidisciplinary management teams
·  How advanced diagnostics and personalized medicine are likely to influence the future of AP, CP and IDP 

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Connect with Dr. McCormick-Baw 

Dr. McCormick-Baw at UT Southwestern 

Connect with Dr. Clark 

Dr. Clark at UT Southwestern 

Connect with Dr. Wilcox 

The University of Vermont Medical Center 

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Ms. Jaworski on LinkedIn 

Connect with Ms. Swails & Dr. Milner 

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 Resources 

Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 4,900 students graduate from MLS and MLT programs in the U.S. every year. But there are 9,000+ job openings. So, what’s behind the 46% vacancy rate? And what can we do as laboratory professionals to address these significant staffing shortages? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Dan Milner and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, SV, SM, MB(ASCP), FACSc, Professor and Chair for the Clinical Laboratory Science Program in the College of Health Professions at Texas State University, Dr. Brandy D. Gunsolus, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Administrator of the Immunology and Toxicology Laboratories and Specimen Referral at Augusta University Medical Center, and Ms. Edna Garcia, MPH, Director of Scientific Engagement and Research at ASCP’s Institute for Science, Technology and Policy in Washington, DC, to discuss laboratory staffing shortages—before, during, and after COVID-19. 

Our panelists explore the factors that have contributed to the rise in staffing shortages over the past 30 years, discussing why the laboratory continues to struggle with recruitment and retention despite advancements in automation. Listen in for Dr. Rohde’s, Dr. Gonsolus’, and Ms. Garcia’s insight on advancing the visibility of the lab to strengthen the pipeline and find out what we can do to meet the workforce challenges the laboratory faces moving forward. 

Key Takeaways
· How laboratory staffing has evolved over the past 30 years and factors contributing to the rise in staffing shortages
· The challenges around recruitment and retention in the laboratory revealed in ASCP’s Wage and Vacancy surveys
· What can be done to advance the visibility of the lab and how COVID has helped highlight the profession in the past few months
· Why some labs are laying off lab professionals while others are desperate to hire staff to accommodate coronavirus testing
· The challenge the laboratory faces moving forward in terms of strengthening the pipeline and training administrators 

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Dr. Rohde at Texas State University
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Connect with Dr. Gunsolus 

Augusta University Health
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Connect with Ms. Garcia 

ASCP Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy
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Resources 

Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store

Everyone deserves equal access to compassionate care. And yet, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals face a number of challenges in navigating the healthcare system. As pathologists and laboratory professionals, what can we do to improve the healthcare experience for our transgender patients?  

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Dan Milner and Dr. Lotte Mulder are joined by Dr. Jeff SoRelle, MD, Assistant Instructor of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, Ms. Julie Papango, MLS(ASCPi)CM, Medical Technologist, Humanitarian Aid Worker, and Award-Winning Public Speaker, and Dr. Robin LeGallo, MD, Associate Professor of Surgical and Autopsy Pathology at the University of Virginia, to discuss transgender pathology. 

Our panelists explore the challenges transgender and gender non-conforming people face in accessing healthcare, describing how lab values can change in patients on hormone therapy, and what we can do to improve anatomic pathology processing and reporting for the transgender population. Listen in for Dr. SoRelle, Ms. Papango, and Dr. LeGallo’s insight on advancing electronic health records to better accommodate transgender patients and learn what we can do as pathologists and laboratory professionals to advocate for the transgender and gender non-conforming community. 

Key Takeaways 

· The challenges transgender and gender non-conforming people face in accessing healthcare
· The specific challenges transgender people face in the area of anatomic pathology processing and reporting
· How lab values change in transgender patients on hormone therapy and what we can do to implement transgender-specific reference intervals
· How some laboratory information systems handle the sex field for transgender patients and how electronic health records might be improved
· Leveraging precision medicine to better serve the transgender population
· What laboratory professionals and pathologists can do to advocate for improved healthcare for the transgender community, especially in rural areas 

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Connect with Dr. SoRelle
Dr. SoRelle at UT Southwestern Medical Center
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Connect with Ms. Papango
Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines
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Connect with Dr. LeGallo
 Dr. LeGallo at the University of Virginia 

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Resources
Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store

Having the right mentor can help pathologists and laboratory professionals shorten the learning curve and accelerate their professional success. But what should mentees be looking for in a mentor (and vice versa)? And where is the best place to find this kind of professional guidance and support? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Kamran Mirza, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology and Vice Chair of Education at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Illinois, Ms. Tywauna Wilson, MBA, MLS(ASCP), System Technical Director of Chemistry for CompuNet Clinical Laboratories in Dayton, Ohio, and bestselling author of Some Leaders Wear Lab Coats, and Retired Colonel Dr. Nathan H. Johnson, PhD, MASCP, MT(ASCP), DLM(ASCP), SC, SLS, Chair of the Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Professions, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, to discuss mentorship in the laboratory. 

The panelists speak to the importance of the mentor-mentee relationship, explaining the need we have for mentorship in the laboratory and the pros and cons of having a mentor in your specific field of study. Listen in for Dr. Mirza, Ms. Wilson, and Dr. Johnson’s insight on how to connect with a potential mentor, what questions to ask to determine if they’re the right fit and how a successful mentor-mentee relationship benefits both parties. 

Key Takeaways 

· Why the mentor-mentee relationship is so important and how a successful one benefits both parties
· The need for mentorship in the laboratory and why it might look different from traditional corporate mentorship programs
· The pros and cons of having a mentor in your field and why your boss may or may not be the best choice
· How to connect with a mentor in the workplace, through professional organizations, or on social media
· The most important factors for a mentor and mentee to consider before agreeing to the relationship

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Connect with Dr. Mirza 

Dr. Mirza at Loyola University Medical Center
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Connect with Ms. Wilson 

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Ms. Wilson at CompuNet Clinical Laboratories
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Connect with Dr. Johnson 

Dr. Johnson at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

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An educated patient is an empowered patient. The more you know, the better you can advocate for yourself and others. And while pathology and laboratory medicine affects every patient at some point in their life, few understand the role of the lab in high-quality patient care. As laboratory professionals, what can we do to help patients understand the scope of our role and how we can work together to improve their healthcare experience?  

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Jeffrey Myers, MD, A. James French Professor of Diagnostic Pathology and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and Quality at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ms. Jasmin Hudgins, M.Clfs., MLS(ASCP)CM, Laboratory Manager for Schneider Regional Medical Center on the island of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and Ms. Renee Siegel, MSW, LCSW, Program Manager for the Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) and Project Manager for the Division of Patient and Family Programs and Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to discuss the importance of empowered patients. 

The panelists explain what differentiates patient- and family-centered care, describing what it looks like to work with patients and how listening to their concerns reorients us to what matters most. Listen in for insight around the appetite patients have for learning about their lab results directly from pathology professionals and learn how to cultivate patient engagement through formal Patient and Family Advisory Councils, and informally on the clinical level and in the communities we serve. 

Key Takeaways 

· What distinguishes patient- and family-centered care from what historically has been provided
· What it looks like for professionals in pathology and laboratory medicine to work with patients and families versus doing things to and for them
· The opportunities for understanding and eliminating barriers to racial equity in the healthcare system
· How cultural differences impact patient engagement and empowerment 
· Questions to ask as patients to gain a more complete understanding of lab results and course of care moving forward
· The most effective strategies for collecting feedback from the communities we serve
· Barriers to patient advocacy work and what the lab can do to work through those obstacles 

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Dr. Myers at the University of Michigan
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Schneider Regional Medical Center 

Connect with Ms. Siegel  

Patient and Family Advisory Councils at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
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Dr. Mulder on Twitter
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COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Native American communities. In fact, a CDC study in 23 selected states found that the incidence of confirmed cases among American Indians and Alaska Natives was 3.5 times that of non-Hispanic whites. Why are indigenous people among the hardest hit by the virus? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Sonya Shin, MD, Founding Director of the Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment Program and Contact Tracing Lead under the Navajo Nation Unified Command, Dr. Thomas Sequist, MD, Chief Patient Experience and Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham, Professor of Medicine and Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and Medical Director of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Physician Outreach Program with the Indian Health Service, and Dr. Tricia Murdock, MD, Assistant Professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, to discuss the challenges specific to the Native American population through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The panelists explain how the coronavirus has served as “historical truth serum,” shedding light on the racist systems that have actively oppressed indigenous communities over the centuries and how the higher prevalence of chronic illness among Native Americans created by those systems led to poor outcomes in the pandemic. Listen in to learn what we can do to keep health equity in the spotlight when COVID-19 is a thing of the past.

Key Takeaways 

· The challenges Native American populations face around access to healthcare in general
· What makes the coronavirus pandemic a “perfect storm for disaster” among Native American communities
· How COVID-19 has served as a historical truth serum and shed light on the health disparities among minority populations in the U.S.
· How a higher prevalence of chronic illness among Native Americans led to poor outcomes with coronavirus
· How to facilitate dialogue around health equity and help deconstruct the systems intended to decimate Native American communities 

Connect with ASCP 

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Connect with Dr. Shin 

Navajo Nation’s Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment Program
Gallup Indian Medical Center
Dr. Shin on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Sequist 

Dr. Sequist at Harvard
Dr. Sequist at Brigham Health
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Connect with Dr. Murdock  

Dr. Murdock at Johns Hopkins
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Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter

The recent protests and social unrest have reignited the conversation around diversity and inclusion in the U.S. But what is the laboratory’s role in inclusion? And how can our efforts to create an inclusive environment in pathology and laboratory medicine departments help us better serve our patients and build a more equitable healthcare system overall? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Melissa Upton, MD, FASCP, Associate Director of the Pathology Residency Program at the University of Washington and Chair of the ASCP Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Dr. Darryl Elzie, PsyD, MHA, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ), Laboratory Quality Coordinator for the Sentara Healthcare System, and Dr. Yvette Marie Miller, MD, Executive Medical Officer for the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, to discuss the laboratory’s role in inclusion and why it is crucial for laboratory staff to reflect the communities in which they serve. 

The panelists share the current statistics around diversity in the laboratory and explore inclusion as a separate focus, stressing the importance of an environment where minority employees feel empowered to speak up and show up as their authentic selves. Listen in for insight on creating a safe space to discuss racial concerns and learn how lab professionals can cultivate a diverse, inclusive environment and partner with patients to deliver equitable access to healthcare. 

Key Takeaways 

· The laboratory’s role in inclusion and the impact of unconscious bias on a pathology team
· Why it’s crucial for the laboratory staff to reflect the communities in which we serve
· How the laboratory can leverage education and outreach programs to address healthcare inequity
· Current statistics around diversity in the laboratory and why pathology residency programs struggle to create a diverse environment
· How to create a safe space for minority employees to discuss racial concerns
· The challenges associated with racial discussions in the workplace and the importance of acting upon them
· The panelists’ vision of a diverse and inclusive workplace

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Connect with Dr. Upton 

Dr. Upton at the University of Washington
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Connect with Dr. Elzie 

Dr. Elzie on Lablogatory
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Connect with Dr. Miller 

Dr. Miller at the Red Cross
Dr. Miller at the American Association of Blood Banks 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter