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

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
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ASCP on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Mirza 

Dr. Mirza at Loyola University Medical Center
Dr. Mirza on Twitter
Dr. Mirza on LinkedIn 

Connect with Ms. Wilson 

Trendy Elite Coaching and Consulting
Ms. Wilson at CompuNet Clinical Laboratories
Ms. Wilson on Twitter
Ms. Wilson on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Johnson 

Dr. Johnson at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dr. Johnson on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter 

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 

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
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ASCP on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Myers 

Dr. Myers at the University of Michigan
Dr. Myers on LinkedIn 

Connect with Ms. Hudgins

Schneider Regional Medical Center 

Connect with Ms. Siegel  

Patient and Family Advisory Councils at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Ms. Siegel on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter 

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 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
ASCP on Instagram
ASCP on Twitter 

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
Dr. Sequist on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Murdock  

Dr. Murdock at Johns Hopkins
Dr. Murdock on LinkedIn 

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

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
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ASCP on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Upton 

Dr. Upton at the University of Washington
Dr. Upton on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Elzie 

Dr. Elzie on Lablogatory
Dr. Elzie on LinkedIn 

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 

Autopsies allow the dead to teach the living, and the information gathered by forensic pathologists is crucial in helping us understand what COVID-19 does to the body and improve patient care moving forward. So, what challenges have forensic pathologists and patient advocates faced through the pandemic? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, moderators Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Ms. Lisbeth Harcourt, LMSW, Program Manager of Decedent Affairs at Michigan Medicine, Dr. Brandi McCleskey, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Forensics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Pathology, Dr. Paul Benson, MD, Associate Professor of Anatomic Pathology and Autopsy Section Head at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dr. Allecia M. Wilson, MD, Director of Autopsy and Forensic Services at the University of Michigan and Chief Medical Examiner of Washtenaw and Livingston Counties, to explore how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the work of forensic pathologists and medical social workers. 

The panelists explain how COVID has affected end-of-life care and bereavement services, sharing what their teams are doing to support the families of decedents and how the virus highlights the importance of forensic pathologists as an integral part of the healthcare team. Listen in to understand what precautions our panelists have taken to keep their staff members safe in this challenging time and learn how forensic pathologists are using their autopsy findings to serve the living. 

Key Takeaways 

· How the coronavirus has affected forensic pathology resources and caseloads
· How COVID has impacted end-of-life care and bereavement services
· How the coronavirus has changed processes in forensic pathology offices for the better
· The challenges of transitioning to a COVID-capable autopsy service and the precautions to keep staff members safe
· How the pandemic has blurred the lines between work and home life for forensic pathologists and medical social workers
· What has been learned about COVID from autopsy findings and how those observations can be used to help the living
· What the future of forensic pathology looks like and opportunities for autopsy research collaborations 

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
ASCP on Instagram
ASCP on Twitter 

Connect with Ms. Harcourt 

Ms. Harcourt at Michigan Medicine
Ms. Harcourt on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. McCleskey 

Dr. McCleskey at UAB
Dr. McCleskey on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Benson 

Dr. Benson at UAB 

Connect with Dr. Wilson 

Dr. Wilson at the University of Michigan
Dr. Wilson on LinkedIn 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter 

For pathologists and laboratory professionals in academia, publishing research in peer-reviewed literature is critical to success. And beyond that, there is a sense of fulfillment that comes from contributing to scientific knowledge and furthering the progress of society.  

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Steven Kroft, MD, MASCP, Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Dr. Roger Bertholf, PhD, DABCC, FAACC, Medical Director of Clinical Chemistry at Houston Methodist Hospital and Editor in Chief of Laboratory Medicine, and Dr. Sanjay Mukhopadyay, MD, Director of Pulmonary Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic and Associate Editor of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, to explain why research and publication are important to a career in laboratory medicine. 

The panelists weigh in on the peer review process, describing what it is, how it works, why it’s important—and how it’s been fast-tracked in the season of COVID. Listen in for insight on sharing research findings on social media and learn how to maximize your chances of getting published in a scientific journal. 

Key Takeaways 

·       The importance of research to an academic career in laboratory medicine and how publication serves as a form of scientific communication
·       Separating scientific literature from unvetted information
·       What the peer review process looks like and how it improves healthcare practice and delivery
·       The editor’s responsibility and limitations for a publication’s integrity
·       The disadvantages of the peer review process
·       Sharing research findings on social media, and informal post-publication reviews
·       The increase in submissions to scientific journals during the pandemic, and how editors are responding
·       How to maximize your chances of getting published 

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
ASCP on Instagram
ASCP on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Kroft 

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
Dr. Kroft on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Bertholf 

Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Bertholf at Houston Methodist
Dr. Bertholf on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Mukhopadhyay

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
Dr. Mukhopadhyay at the Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Mukhopadhyay on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter 

Laboratory professionals are working harder than ever to get test results out as quickly as possible. But no one was prepared for COVID-19, and at the start of the pandemic turnaround times were much longer than hoped for. What challenges did clinical laboratories face early on in the pandemic? What bottlenecks continue to hinder turnaround times? And what issues might we face moving forward? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Ms. Diana Kremitske, MHA, MS, MT(ASCP), Vice President of the Diagnostic Medicine Institute at Geisinger Medical Labs, Dr. Nicholas Moore, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Assistant Director of Clinical Microbiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and Dr. Karissa Culbreath, PhD, D(ABMM), Medical Director of Infectious Diseases at TriCore Reference Laboratories and Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, to discuss laboratory turnaround times during COVID-19. 

The panelists share the challenges they have faced in getting results back to clinicians and patients in a timely manner and describe what they are doing to set stakeholders’ expectations for turnaround times. Listen in to better understand the concerns our panelists have around the upcoming respiratory virus season and learn about the innovative strategies laboratory professionals are using to increase testing capacity, establish testing priorities and optimize turnaround times in the season of coronavirus.

Key Takeaways 

· How panelists have expanded the number of testing platforms, redeployed staff from other areas and added second and third shifts to improve turnaround times
· Challenges around coordinating courier support and securing adequate supplies for specimen collection
· The pre- and post-analytical considerations impacting a lab’s ability to expedite COVID-19 test results
· How the pandemic has opened the door for laboratory advocacy and why it’s important that the lab keeps a seat at the table once the current crisis is over
· Strategies to set expectations around turnaround times for COVID-19
· Concerns around the upcoming respiratory virus season
· Responses to high-profile criticisms of testing turnaround times on social media and what factors are out of the lab’s control

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
ASCP on Instagram
ASCP on Twitter 

Connect with Ms. Kremitske

Ms. Kremitske at Geisinger Medical Labs
Ms. Kremitske on LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Moore

Dr. Moore at Rush University
Dr. Moore on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Culbreath

Dr. Culbreath at the University of New Mexico
Dr. Culbreath on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter

Resources 

Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store

Do you overreact to little annoyances? Do you feel tired all the time? Worse yet, do you feel apathetic toward the work you used to love? Or like you’ve lost your purpose? If so, what you’re experiencing goes beyond the usual stress associated with working in the lab. What you’re feeling is full-fledged burnout. 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, Ms. Kelly Swails is joined by panelists Dr. Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, Chief Officer of Medical Quality at ASCP, Dr. Lotte Mulder, PhD, Director of Leadership and Empowerment at ASCP, and Dr. Joe Sirintrapun, MD, Director of Pathology Informatics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to discuss the behavioral, mental, and physical signs of burnout they recognized in themselves and what they did to overcome it.

The panelists explore why burnout has gotten more media coverage in recent years and how the coronavirus pandemic is likely to increase burnout among pathologists and lab professionals. Listen in for insight on the role technology plays in contributing to burnout in the healthcare space and learn what leaders can do to prevent burnout and create an organizational culture that values wellbeing. 

Key Takeaways 

·       The distinction between stress and burnout
·       How changing attitudes toward work-life balance have increased media coverage of burnout in recent years
·       How a loss of autonomy and the high-stakes nature of medical laboratory work has led to an increase of burnout among lab professionals
·       How technology contributes to burnout among healthcare professionals
·       The behavioral, mental and physical signs of burnout
·       How the uncertainties around COVID-19 are likely contributing to or accelerating burnout we won’t see the true impact until the pandemic is over
·       How to deal with burnout
·       What leaders can do to prevent burnout and help their team members overcome it
·       How organizational culture contributes to burnout, and why prioritizing wellbeing over productivity metrics is critical  

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
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ASCP on Twitter

Connect with Dr. Brown 

Dr. Brown on LinkedIn
Dr. Brown on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Sirintrapun

Association for Pathology Informatics
Dr. Sirinatrapun at Sloan Kettering
Dr. Sirinatrapun on Twitter

Connect with Dr. Mulder

Dr. Mulder at ASCP
Dr. Mulder on Twitter

Connect with Ms. Swails

Ms. Swails on Twitter

Resources

ASCP Store

Many teachers and students have been hesitant to embrace online learning, but the Coronavirus pandemic has left little choice but to do so. So, what does teaching pathology and laboratory medicine look like in a virtual setting?  

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Sara E. Wobker, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Urology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Natalie Banet, MD, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Dr. Richard Davis, PhD, D(ABMM), MLS(ASCP)CM, Regional Director of Microbiology for Providence Health Care in Eastern Washington, to discuss online teaching and learning in the age of COVID-19. 

The panelists explain how the landscape of virtual education has changed in light of the pandemic and describe how teaching pathology and laboratory medicine online differs from other subject areas. Listen in for insight on promoting equity and inclusion in a virtual setting, overcoming the limitations of remote learning, and avoiding the pitfalls associated with creating educational resources online. 

Key Takeaways 

·       Past vs present online learning
·       How the landscape of online learning has changed in light of the pandemic
·       How teaching pathology online differs from other subject areas, and which aspects of laboratory medicine are particularly difficult to teach virtually
·       How to promote diversity and inclusion in online learning
·       How to address the needs of ESL, hearing impaired and neurodivergent students in a virtual setting
·       Predictions around the future of remote learning 

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
ASCP on Instagram
ASCP on Twitter
ASCP 2020 Virtual 

Connect with Dr. Wobker 

Dr. Wobker at UNC School of Medicine
Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds
Dr. Wobker on Twitter 

Connect with Dr. Banet 

Dr. Banet at Brown University
Dr. Banet’s Website
Dr. Banet on YouTube
Dr. Banet on Twitter
Deeper Levels Podcast 

Connect with Dr. Davis 

Providence Health Care
Dr. Davis on Twitter
Dr. Davis’ Viral Mask Tweet

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails 

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter

Most of the media surrounding COVID-19 addresses how large hospitals in urban areas are navigating the crisis. But what challenges do small, independent facilities face? And how is the virus affecting the community MLS programs responsible for training the next generation of laboratory professionals? 

On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. Dana Altenburger, MD, FASCP, Medical Director of the laboratory at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, and Ms. Terese Abreu, MLS (ASCP)CM, Assistant Professor of Biological Science and Director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Heritage University, to explore the unique challenges community hospitals and MLS programs are facing in the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The panelists weigh in on turnaround times for COVID results, budgetary concerns caused by the virus, and staffing shortages labs are likely to face in the aftermath of the pandemic. Listen in for insight into how the virus has affected student training and the potential long-term implications of COVID-19 for healthcare workers in community hospitals and MLS programs. 

Key Takeaways 

·The unique challenges community hospitals and labs face during the COVID-19 pandemic
· When to test in-house for COVID, vs when to send out 
· How COVID-19 is affecting student training and how MLS students are being included during the crisis
· How the coronavirus has impacted the morale of students and staff 
· The staffing shortages labs are likely to face in the aftermath of COVID-19
· Challenges the coronavirus presents in the migrant communities
· Navigating budgetary concerns caused by COVID-19
· What support community hospitals and MLS programs need moving forward
· Insight on the potential long-term implications of COVID-19

Connect with ASCP 

ASCP
ASCP on Facebook
ASCP on Instagram
ASCP on Twitter

Connect with Dr. Altenburger 

Carle BroMenn Medical Center
Dr. Altenburger on WebMD 

Connect with Ms. Abreu

Heritage University’s MLS Program
Ms. Abreu at Heritage University 

Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. Swails

Dr. Mulder on Twitter
Ms. Swails on Twitter