Inside the Lab

Working on the bench can feel like being in a black box. And as important as it is to advocate for patients, pathologists and laboratory professionals rarely have direct access to them. So, what can we do to encourage patient-centered care in the medical laboratory? On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MLS(ASCP), and Dr. Lotte Mulder, PhD, are joined by three members of the laboratory staff at University Hospital in San Antonio, Ms. Carrie Bartosh, MLS(ASCP), SV, Laboratory Supervisor in the Microbiology Department, Ms. Claudia Courtright, MLS(ASCP), Technical Supervisor in Microbiology Services, and Mr. Scott Bowman, MLS(ASCP), Bench Technologist, to discuss patient advocacy in the laboratory. Our panelists describe what laboratories can do to promote a culture of patient-centered care, sharing examples of situations when they advocated for patients from the bench and what they wish people knew about the value of the work done in the medical laboratory.  Listen in for Ms. Bartosh, Ms. Courtright, and Mr. Bowman’s advice for laboratory professionals on avoiding burnout and learn how your laboratory can establish processes that support patient-centered care.  Topics Covered · How frontline laboratory professionals can advocate for patients from the bench· Instances of advocating for patients and how working in a culture of safety empowered those situations· What the University Health laboratory does to continuously evaluate and improve its patient-centered care practices· What laboratories can do to promote a culture of patient-centered care· Why a punitive culture in the laboratory is not conducive to patient-centered care· Examples of processes that support patient-centered care· Advice to laboratory professionals on how to avoid burnout· How Ms. Bartosh, Ms. Courtright, and Mr. Bowmanstay motivated to focus on advocacy· Why laboratory professionals rarely have an opportunity to involve patients in the decision-making process around laboratory testing and results interpretation (and how impactful it is when they do)· What our panelists wish patients knew about the value of the work we do in the medical laboratory Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on TwitterConnect with Ms. Bartosh, Ms. Courtright & Mr. BowmanUniversity Health Laboratory ServicesMs. Bartosh on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. Swails & Dr. BrownMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Mulder on TwitterResourcesCAP Inspection ChecklistsASCP Patient Champions ProgramInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

We know that diverse teams perform better. In laboratory medicine, diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership not only inspires young professionals, it also promotes retention in a profession that struggles with staffing shortages. So, what’s stopping us from increasing representation and equity in laboratory leadership?  What can we do to recruit a more diverse pool of job applicants and then support them in growing into lab leadership and management roles? On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MLS(ASCP), and Dr. Lotte Mulder, PhD, are joined by Ms. Lona Gordon Small, MLS(ASCP), MBA, Quality Specialist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Core Lab and coach and Founder of LabOPEX Training and Consulting, Dr. Marissa J. White, MD, FASCP, Surgical Pathologist and Deputy Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Johns Hopkins, and Mr. Mohamed Abdelmonem, MBA-HCM, MSc, MLS(ASCP)SBB, Blood Bank Specialist and Transfusion and Reference Lab Supervisor at STEM Healthcare, to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion strategies for the medical lab. Our panelists explain the common barriers to expanding representation among laboratory leadership and explore effective strategies for mentoring underrepresented groups in management roles. Listen in for Ms. Small, Dr. White, and Mr. Abdelmonem’s insight on establishing equity around pay and promotion and learn what educational institutions and professional organizations can do to promote representation at all levels of the laboratory workforce! Topics Covered · The crucial need to increase representation in laboratory leadership and management positions· Common barriers to expanding representation and equity in laboratory leadership· What educational institutions and professional organizations can do to promote representation and equity in the laboratory workforce· The benefits of equity around pay and promotion in the medical lab· Effective strategies for mentoring and supporting underrepresented groups in laboratory leadership roles· Strategies to identify and recruit a more diverse pool of job applicants for roles in the medical laboratory  Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Ms. SmallMs. Small on LinkedInConnect with Dr. WhiteDr. White at Johns Hopkins Connect with Mr. AbdelmonemMr. Abdelmonem on LinkedInConnect with Ms. Swails & Dr. MulderMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Mulder on Twitter ResourceseLABorate Topics PodcastMass General Brigham’s Mentoring Across DifferencesPositive Intelligence by Shirzad ChamineASCP Mentorship ProgramInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Would you benefit from having a mentor to help you grow as a pathologist or laboratory professional? How might you benefit from becoming a mentor yourself? We get further, faster, with support, and having the right mentor accelerates your personal and professional development. But how do you find a good mentor? And what can you do to make the mentor-mentee relationship successful?  On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MT(ASCP), and Dr. Lotte Mulder, PhD, are joined by Dr. Nathan Johnson, PhD, FACHE, MASCP, DLM(ASCP), Chair of Laboratory Sciences at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas,Ms. Tywauna Wilson, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, System Technical Director of Chemistry for CompuNet Clinical Laboratories and President of Trendy Elite Coaching, and Dr. Russell Broaddus, MD, PhD, Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, to discuss mentorship in the laboratory. Our panelists explore the characteristics of a good mentor, explaining why mentorship is important at ALL levels of your career and where to look for mentorship as a pathologist or laboratory professional. Listen in for examples of how Dr. Johnson, Ms. Wilson, and Dr. Broaddus have benefitted from serving as mentors and learn how to maximize the benefits of a mentor-mentee relationship in the medical lab. Topics Covered· What inspired Dr. Johnson, Ms. Wilson, and  Dr. Broaddus to become mentors· Why our panelists look to mentor in the areas of leadership and career development· How experienced laboratory professionals can learn from their younger colleagues· The characteristics of a good mentor· What makes the mentor-mentee relationship work· What questions you should ask yourself before saying YES to mentoring someone· Insight on where to look for a mentor· Common  mistakes people make in looking for a mentor· Why mentorship is important at ALL levels of your laboratory career· How our panelists have benefited from serving as mentors· What you can do to maximize your mentor-mentee relationships in the labConnect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Dr. JohnsonDr. Johnson at the University of ArkansasDr. Johnson on LinkedInConnect with Ms. WilsonTrendy Elite CoachingMs. Wilson on TwitterMs. Wilson on LinkedInConnect with Dr. BroaddusDr. Broaddus at UNC School of MedicineDr. Broaddus on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. Swails & Dr. MulderMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Mulder on Twitter ResourcesInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Are you dreaming of moving up the ladder and transitioning to a management position in the laboratory? Or maybe even a leadership role outside the lab? What can you do to learn the leadership skills you need to take that next step in your career? On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MLS(ASCP), and Dr. Lotte Mulder, PhD, are joined by Dr. Gary Procop, MD, MS, CEO of the American Board of Pathology, Ms. Anne Walsh-Feeks, MS, PA(ASCP), FACHE, Assistant Dean and COO for Ambulatory Operations at Stony Brook Medicine in Stony Brooke, New York, and Ms. Carol Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, MASCP, MT(ASCP)HTL, DLM, CEO and COO at Stony Brook University Hospital, to discuss the transition to leadership outside the laboratory. Our panelists discuss their journeys to leadership roles, sharing the resources they found helpful in making the transition and offering advice for laboratory professionals considering management positions in or outside the lab. Listen in for our panelists' insight on building leadership experience through volunteering and learn to leverage the skills you’re honing in the lab to advance your career! Topics Covered · Career advice for laboratory professionals who wish to move into a management position· Why it is important to maintain your clinical role during the transition to management· Leadership skills learned from volunteering with professional associations· How to take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs to further your education· Skills learned working in the lab that can contribute career progression· The pivotal events responsible for our panelists' transition to leadership outside the lab· Advice for clinicians who want to make the leap to leadership roles outside the lab· Certifications and degrees our panelists found helpful in making the transition to leadership· What our panelists would do differently in their careers given the opportunity· What our panelists miss about working in the lab Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on TwitterConnect with Dr. ProcopDr. Procop at the American Board of PathologyDr. Procop on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. Walsh-FeeksMs. Walsh-Feeks on TwitterMs. Walsh-Feeks on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. GomesMs. Gomes at Stony Brook UniversityMs. Gomes on LinkedInConnect with Ms. Swails & Dr. MulderMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Mulder on Twitter ResourcesAmerican Association of Pathologists’ AssistantsNYU’s Advanced Management Program for CliniciansNAHQ’s CPHQ CertificationACHE’s FACHE CertificationInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Do you cut corners when it comes to laboratory safety? Little things like carrying your cell phone, rolling up the sleeves of your lab coat, or skipping the hurricane drill don’t seem like a big deal in the moment. But when you consider the potential risks to you, your colleagues, your family, and anyone else you might encounter, even small safety violations can have a big impact. On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MT(ASCP), and Dr. Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, are joined by Mr. Sean Kaufman, MPH, CPH, IFBA-CP, CEO and Founding Partner of Safer Behaviors, Dr. Jason Nagy, PhD, MLS(ASCP), QLS, Laboratory Safety Support Coordinator for Sentara Healthcare, and Mr. Dan Scungio, MT(ASCP), SLS, CQA(ASQ), Laboratory Safety Consultant and Laboratory Safety Officer at Sentara Healthcare, to discuss the most common safety issues facing today’s medical labs. Our panelists explore the risks involved in having our cell phones in the medical laboratory and explain why so many leaders fail to hold their teams accountable for laboratory safety. Mr. Kaufman, Dr. Nagy, and Mr. Scungio describe why effective education is key in establishing a safety culture in the lab and how some of the things we do for the sake of safety increase our risk. Listen in for insight on effective emergency management planning and learn how to protect yourself and others from the greatest safety risks we face in the medical lab. Topics Covered · The top 10 safety issues facing today’s medical laboratories· The surprising personal items that have been found in drawers during lab safety audits· Examples of specimen transport safety issues · The 3 Cs of transferring specimens—coordination, communication, and common courtesy· The risks involved in having cell phones in the medical laboratory· Why effective education is key in establishing a safety culture in the lab (and what that looks like)· Advice on preparing for emergencies that don’t occur often· How laboratory leaders fail to hold their teams accountable for lab safety· How we cut corners around PPE compliance (lab coats, goggles and face shields)· The challenges around defining clean vs. dirty areas of the laboratory· Why most laboratories are lacking when it comes to chemical and waste management· How some of the things we do for the sake of safety increase our risk· How human risk factors (i.e.: interpersonal conflict, mental and emotional fitness, etc.) are the greatest safety risks we face in the medical laboratory Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Mr. Kaufman Safer BehaviorsMr. Kaufman on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. NagySentara HealthcareDr. Nagy on LinkedInConnect with Mr. ScungioDan the Lab Safety ManMr. Scungio on LinkedInConnect with Ms. Swails & Dr. BrownMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Brown on TwitterResourcesLablogatoryOSHAInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Are you ready for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week?  Our annual celebration of pathologists and medical laboratory professionals begins April 23, 2023, and this year’s theme is Saved by the Lab, a play on the popular sitcom from the 1990s, Saved by the Bell. In honor of Zack Morris and friends from Bayside High, we’re revisiting the ‘90s to explore what was going on in the world—and the world of laboratory medicine. On this LIVE episode of Inside the Lab, your host, Ms. Kelly Swails, MLS(ASCP), is joined by Dr. Robert A. Goulart, MD, MASCP, FCAP, Associate Chief of Anatomic Pathology and Director of Quality and Patient Safety at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health System and President-Elect of ASCP, Mr. Sean McNair, MPH, Cytology Education Coordinator at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Program Director for the Cytology Training Program at Hunter College, Ms. Stephanie Y. Whitehead, MPH, MBA, MLS(ASCP), Executive Director of Pathology and Laboratory Services at University Health System in San Antonio, Texas, and Chair Elect for the Council of Laboratory Professionals, and Dr. Constantine Kanakis, MD, MSc, MLS(ASCP), Resident Physician at Loyola Medicine in Chicago and Member of the ASCP Patient Champions Advisory Board, for a ‘90s trivia showdown. Our panelists answer questions about ‘90s pop culture, including the highest grossing movies, chart-topping music and hottest toys of the decade.Dr. Goulart, Mr. McNair, Ms. Whitehead and Dr. Kanakis also test their knowledge of noteworthy lab news from the ‘90s. Listen in to find out which of our panelists took home the coveted prize, a tote bag filled with Saved by the Lab gear! Topics Covered · Popular ‘90s trends such as the Tamagotchi, Tickle Me Elmo, Harry Potter and reality television· ‘90s pop culture trivia, e.g.: the most-watched episode of TV, highest grossing movie and chart-topping music of the decade· Lab-specific ‘90s trivia like when ASCP elected a laboratory professional to the Board of Directors for the first time or how many lab professionals were working in the US at that time· Noteworthy laboratory news from the ‘90s, including Marie Gatscha’s testimony to Congress on behalf of ASCP, the revision of the WHO Blue Book on bone tumors, and trastuzumab’s impact on breast cancer treatment Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Dr. GoulartDr. Goulart on LinkedIn Connect with Mr. McNairMr. McNair on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. WhiteheadMs. Whitehead on LinkedInMs. Whitehead on TwitterMs. Whitehead on Instagram Connect with Dr. KanakisDr. Kanakis on LinkedInDr. Kanakis on TwitterDr. Kanakis at Loyola Pathology Connect with Ms. SwailsMs. Swails on Twitter ResourcesASCP Lab Week ResourcesInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

The medical laboratory is often seen as a black box that generates definitive results with little effort. But it’s not always that simple.What if you work up a culture and find an unusual bacteria or fungus? What do the technologists in the microbiology laboratory do to investigate these uncommon cases and provide their patients with a proper diagnosis? On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MLS(ASCP), and Dr. Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, are joined by Dr. Clare McCormick-Baw, MD, FASCP, Medical Director of Infectious Diseases Serology and Molecular Microbiology at Parkland Health in Dallas, Texas, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Clark, PhD, D(ABMM), Medical Directory of the Microbiology Laboratory at Clements University Hospital and Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Dr. Laura Filkins, PhD, D(ABMM), Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Director at Children’s Health System of Texas in Dallas, Texas, and Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, to share their most interesting microbiology cases. Dr. Clark discusses an immunosuppressed 73-year-old man with persistent diarrhea who was diagnosed with invasive GI mucormycosis, and Dr. McCormick-Baw describes the case of the healthy 51-year-old woman whose abdominal fullness was caused by coccidioidomycosis, not cancer.  Listen in for Dr. Filkins’ insight on getting the CDC involved when a four-year-old patient contracted Burkholderia pseudomallei and learn how committed clinical laboratory scientists kept digging until they found answers for these three unique patients!Topics Covered · Dr. Clark’s case of an immunosuppressed 73-year-old man with persistent diarrhea· How Dr. Clark’s team found Mucor mold in their patient’s stool culture and diagnosed him with invasive GI mucormycosis· How rare GI mucormycosis is and why it’s nearly always terminal· Dr. McCormick-Baw’s case of a healthy 51-year-old woman who presented with abdominal fullness· How Dr. McCormick-Baw’s team determined that their patient did not have cancer but did have coccidioidomycosis· Why it took two years after Dr. McCormick-Baw’s patient contracted Coccidioides on a hike for symptoms to present· Dr. Filkins’ case of a previously healthy four-year-old female (with a colorful animal history) who presented with nausea, vomiting, lethargy and decreased appetite · How Dr. Filkins’ team cultured their young patient’s tracheal aspirate specimen and found the high-risk pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei· How the local health lab, local epidemiologist and CDC’s joint investigation uncovered four cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the U.S. and traced them to aromatherapy bottles manufactured in India· How the CDC, EPA and Texas public health agencies discovered that Dr. Filkins’ patient’s pet raccoon died of Burkholderia pseudomallei and decontaminated its burial siteConnect with ASCPASCP on Twitter Connect with Dr. McCormick-BawDr. McCormick-Baw at UT SouthwesternConnect with Dr. ClarkDr. Clark at UT SouthwesternConnect with Dr. FilkinsDr. Filkins at UT SouthwesternResources ‘Burkholderia Pseudomalliei Detected in a Raccoon Carcass Linked to a Multistate Aromatherapy-Associated Melioidosis Outbreak’ in Morbidity and Mortality 

ASCP is committed to developing policies that improve public health through the practice of laboratory medicine. One of the ways that the Society participates in public policy is through our delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA).  So, what does it mean to be an ASCP delegate to the AMA? How well is pathology represented within the AMA House of Delegates? And why does that representation matter? On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts Dr. Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, and Dr. Lotte Mulder, PhD, are joined by ASCP delegates to the AMA Dr. William Finn, MD, MASCP, Medical Director of the Joint Venture Hospital Laboratories and Past President of ASCP, Dr. Jennifer Stall, MD, Anatomic and Clinical Pathologist at Hospital Pathology Associates in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Dr. H. Cliff Sullivan, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Director of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory at Emory University, to discuss laboratory medicine’s representation within the American Medical Association. Our panelists discuss the AMA’s function as a professional association and lobbying group for physicians and medical students and share their experiences as delegates to the AMA from ASCP.  Dr. Finn, Dr. Stall, and Dr. Sullivan explain the responsibilities as delegates to the AMA and offer examples of how ASCP’s involvement in the AMA serves the interests of ASCP members and our patients.  Listen in for insight around the AMA initiatives and programs pathologists should be aware of and learn how you can get involved in amplifying the voice of pathologists in the AMA. Topics Covered · How the AMA functions as a professional association and lobbying group for physicians and medical students· How the AMA fulfills its mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health· Who serves as ASCP’s full delegates to the AMA and who serves as alternate delegates· How well pathology is represented within the AMA and why that representation matters· How the pathology voice is received in the egalitarian system of the AMA· How ASCP’s involvement in the AMA serves the interests of ASCP members and our patients· How to get involved with the AMA Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on TwitterConnect with Dr. FinnDr. Finn on LinkedIn Connect with Dr.StallDr. Stall on TwitterConnect with Dr. SullivanDr. Sullivan at Emory University Connect with Dr. Mulder & Dr. BrownDr. Mulder on TwitterDr. Brown on Twitter ResourcesAmerican Medical AssociationASCP Resident CouncilVALID Act of 2021CLIA Law & RegulationsASCP Institute for Science, Technology and Public PolicyInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

ASCP’s Resident In-Service Exam, better known as RISE, began in 1983, and it was designed as a study tool for board exams.  But RISE has evolved over time in response to feedback from program directors and residents alike, adapting to remain relevant to practice and help students identify their individual strengths and weaknesses. So, what do you need to know about the Resident In-Service Exam and how it can ensure your success as an emerging pathologist or laboratory professional?  On this episode of Inside the Lab, your hosts Dr. Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, and Ms. Kelly Swails, MT(ASCP), are joined by Mr. Jay Wagner, MBA, MLS(ASCP), Director of Assessment, Measurement, Evaluation, Examinations and Outcomes at ASCP, and Dr. Jonathan Genzen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Utah, CMO at ARUP Laboratories and Chair of the RISE Committee, to discuss the evolution of ASCP’s Resident In-Service Exam. Mr. Wagner and Dr. Genzen discuss who is responsible for writing questions for RISE, what that process looks like, and why the committee doesn’t repeat questions from year-to-year. The panelists explain how RISE supports you in learning from the questions you miss and why there’s such a significant correlation between RISE scores and ABPath pass rates. Listen in for insight on how to study for RISE and learn how the exam helps gauge residents’ progress in becoming the next generation of pathologists and laboratory professionals!Topics Covered · How ASCP’s Resident In-Service Exam has evolved since its inception · Who is responsible for writing the questions for RISE and what the process looks like· How the RISE Committee makes the exam relevant for international participants· The correlation between Resident In-Service Exam scores and ABPath pass rates· How RISE is scored and how it helps you learn from the questions you miss· When RISE is given and how you can take it all four years of your residency· How the online format gives program directors flexibility in the administration of RISE· RISE’s purpose in gauging resident progress and identifying strengths and weaknesses· Using the Resident Question Bank to study for RISEConnect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Mr. WagnerMr. Wagner on LinkedInConnect with Dr. GenzenDr. Genzen at the University of UtahDr. Genzen on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. Swails & Dr. BrownMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Brown on TwitterResourcesASCP Resident In-Service ExamASCP Resident Question Bank [Promo Code POD50]Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Castleman Disease: Case-based Microlearning  Activity Overview This CME/CMLE-accredited, case-based microlearning activity is designed to help laboratory team members increase their knowledge, skills, and competence in diagnosing multicentric Castleman disease and to be informed of changes in clinical practice guidelines. Through a series of four 15-minute cases developed by a multidisciplinary team, you will gain a greater understanding of multicentric Castleman disease, how to differentiate it from potential mimics, and updated guidelines for diagnosis. The activity offers 1.0 CME/CMLE credit. Target Audience The target audience for this activity consists of pathologists and laboratory professionals.   Activity Agenda ·         Introduction to Castleman disease ·         Case-based approach to diagnosing Castleman disease, featuring multidisciplinary perspectives Accreditation Statement The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.  Credit Designation Statement The ASCP designates this online microlearning activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  ASCP designates this online microlearning activity for a maximum of 1.0 CMLE credit.  This activity meets CMP and state re-licensure requirements for laboratory personnel. For questions regarding CME credit, please contact ASCP Customer Service at 1-800-267-2727, during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time Method of Participation To complete the activity and receive credit, the participant must complete all four cases in the microlearning activity. CME certificates will be provided online.  Commercial Support This activity is funded by an independent educational grant from Recordati Rare Diseases Inc..  FacultyAnamarija Perry, MD Associate Professor, Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc Assistant Professor of Medicine, Translational Medicine & Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Seth Kligerman, MD Professor, Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego 

Data is fundamental to the modern world. From education to healthcare to economic development and public policy, we rely on data to allocate resources and make decisions. In Caroline Criado Perez’s groundbreaking book, Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, she contends that there’s a gender data gap. And because the bulk of the world’s data is based on male bodies and behaviors, we live in a world that caters to men and disadvantages women. How does this gender data gap impact women in pathology and laboratory medicine? And what can we do to make the profession more inclusive? On this episode of Inside the Lab, Host Kelly Swails, MT(ASCP), is joined by Dr. Alison Krywanczyk, MD, FASCP, Deputy Medical Examiner at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Letycia Catalina Nunez-Argote, PhD, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM, Assistant Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and Dr. Catherine M. Stefaniuk, DO, MBA, FASCP, Assistant Medical Director of Clinical Pathology at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, for an ASCP Leadership Institute Book Club discussion of Invisible Women.Dr. Krywanczyk, Dr. Nunez-Argote, and Dr. Stefaniuk discuss the unpaid work many women do and share their experiences with the changing roles of breadwinner and homemaker between the genders. They explore the negative perceptions of women in positions of authority and explain how the myth of meritocracy has impacted their careers in pathology and laboratory medicine. Listen in for insight on designing laboratory spaces for women and learn to leverage your knowledge as a medical professional to advocate for women in the healthcare system.Topics Covered· How the gender data gap in healthcare caters to men and actively disadvantages women· The unpaid work most women do and the changing roles of breadwinner and homemaker between the genders· Why so many women trade flexibility for advancement and how working part-time disadvantages women in terms of healthcare and retirement benefits·  How the gender data gap impacts pathology and laboratory medicine and what we can do to make the laboratory more amenable to women· The negative perceptions of women in positions of authority and how that impacts the way we work·  Situations where our knowledge as medical professionals can help us advocate for women whose symptoms are not understood or believed· How insights gained from Invisible Women will influence decision-making moving forward Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on TwitterConnect with Dr. KrywanczykDr. Krywanczyk on Twitter Connect with Dr.Nunez-ArgoteDr. Nunez-Argote on TwitterConnect with Dr. Stefaniuk Dr. Stefaniuk on LinkedInResources ASCP Leadership InstituteInvisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado PerezInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

In medicine, we’re taught to recognize hoofbeats as horses rather than zebras. But what happens when a surgical pathology diagnosis really is a zebra? What is the best way to approach a challenging case? And how do you know when to ask for help? On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails, MT(ASCP), and Dr. Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, are joined by Dr. Cesar Moran, MD, Tenured Professor of Pathology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to share some of the most challenging surgical pathology cases he’s faced. Dr. Moran describes three different types of difficult cases and discusses what to do when a tumor appears to be a new entity. Listen in for Dr. Moran’s insight on fighting against the bias of your default diagnosis and get his advice on how to know when you don’t know and ask your colleagues for help.  Topics Covered · Dr. Moran’s take on the 3 different types of challenging surgical pathology cases· How the expectations for surgical pathologists to provide a diagnosis have risen exponentially· The volume of tissue issue in thoracic pathology· Dr. Moran’s approach to a challenging surgical pathology case· What to do when a tumor appears to be a new entity· Why pathologists are unlikely to be replaced by technology· How the diagnostic tools for surgical pathologists have evolved from electron microscopy to immunohistochemistry to molecular studies· Examples of the most challenging cases Dr. Moran has faced in his career· Why it’s challenging to consider unusual possibilities when you come in with a default diagnosis· How to fight against the bias of default diagnosis· Why Dr. Moran considers benign diagnoses to be the most difficult ones· Dr. Moran’s advice for practicing pathologists on when to ask colleagues for help Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Dr. MoranDr. Moran at MD AndersonDr. Moran on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. Swails & Dr. Brown Ms. Swails on TwitterDr. Brown on Twitter Resources Become a Member of ASCP‘Xanthomatous Thymoma: A Clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical Study of 10 Cases’ in the American Journal of Clinical PathologyInside the Lab in the ASCP Store  

Medical laboratories, in general, struggle with visibility. And laboratory professionals rarely get the recognition they deserve for the important work that they do. The Leading Laboratories program is on a mission to change that. This partnership between ASCP and The Joint Commission seeks to recognize excellence in laboratory practice, awarding the Leading Laboratories designation to labs with an exemplary focus on impacting quality patient outcomes. On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails and Dr. Ali Brown, are joined by Ms. Barbara Caldwell, MS, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)SHCM, Former Administrative Director of Clinical Laboratory Services at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland; Ms. Lynnette Chakkaphak, MS, MLS(ASCP), Director of Clinical Operations at Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida; and Ms. Diana Kremitske, MHA, MS, MLS(ASCP), Vice President of the Diagnostic Medicine Institute at Geisinger in Danville, Pennsylvania, to discuss the new Leading Laboratories program. Ms. Caldwell, Ms. Chakkaphak, and Ms. Kremitske describe their involvement in the development of Leading Laboratories and explain how a laboratory earns the prestigious designation. Listen in to learn how to follow the program’s roadmap for building strong, successful medical laboratories across the country. Topics Covered · The goal of the Leading Laboratories program and how a lab earns the prestigious designation· What differentiates the Leading Laboratories designation from laboratory accreditation· The four key components of the Leading Laboratories program· How to compile and submit a portfolio of evidence to the Leading Laboratories program· How the Leading Laboratories program addresses the workforce recruitment and retention crisis among pathologists and medical laboratory professionals· How The Joint Commission’s involvement in Leading Laboratories impacts its visibility among executives in hospital C-suites· How Leading Laboratories provides a roadmap to build stronger, more successful laboratories across the country Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Ms. CaldwellMs. Caldwell on LinkedInConnect with Ms. ChakkaphakMs. Chakkaphak on TwitterMs. Chakkaphak on LinkedInConnect with Ms. KremitskeMs. Kremitske on TwitterMs. Kremitske on LinkedInConnect with Ms. Swails & Dr. BrownMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Brown on TwitterResources Leading Laboratories ProgramInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

So, you like your job as a medical laboratory professional, but you’re restless. You have dreams of a bigger life. One that allows you to serve others and satisfy your wanderlust. You might consider becoming a Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist with the US State Department, a role that requires an affinity for travel, a passion for service, and a well-rounded background on the bench. On this episode of Inside the Lab, our host, Ms. Kelly Swails, is joined byMs. Danielle Forester, MLS(ASCP)CM, former Microbiology Specialist at Quest Diagnostics and current RMLS in Beijing, China, Mr. Dave Keddington, MLS(ASCP)CM, former Technical Supervisor at ARUP Laboratories and current RMLS in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Ms. Stacy Deckard, MLS(ASCP)CM, former Medical Technologist at Carle Foundation Hospital and current RMLS in New Delhi, India, to share their experiences working with the Foreign Service as Regional Medical Laboratory Scientists. Our panelists discuss the pros and cons of working as an RMLS, describing how they serve the diplomatic community, embassy staff and their local communities. They explore how being a Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist impacts work-life balance and explain how the compensation package compares to working in a lab in the US. Listen in for advice on applying to be a Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and learn how becoming an RMLS gives you the opportunity to experience other cultures firsthand and expand your worldview. Topics Covered · How each of our panelists found out about working with the Foreign Service and what prompted them to apply· How a well-rounded background and experience in training prepares you to work as an RMLS with the Foreign Service· How RMLSs serve the diplomatic community, embassy staff and their local community· What Ms. Forester, Mr. Keddington & Ms. Deckard like best about working as a Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist· The most challenging aspects of working as an RMLS for the US State Department· How RMLSs and their families benefit from experiencing other cultures firsthand and expanding their worldview· How being an RMLS impacts your social life, personal travel and work-life balance· What it’s like for the family members of Regional Medical Laboratory Scientists· How the compensation package for an RMLS compares to working in a lab in the US· Advice to anyone applying to be an RMLS in the Foreign Service Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Mr. KeddingtonMr. Keddington on LinkedInConnect with Ms. DeckardMs. Deckard on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. SwailsMs. Swails on Twitter Resources USAJOBSCAP Inspector Tools and TrainingAffinity Groups at the US State DepartmentInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

What are MLS education programs doing to address the workforce shortage in the medical lab and provide opportunities for career advancement? On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Ms. Patricia Tanabe and Ms. Kelly Swails, are joined by Ms. Patricia Ellinger, MSEd, MLS(ASCP)CMSBBCM, MLS Faculty and Former MLS Program Director at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Ms. Sue Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)CMSBBCM, Director of Clinical Education at Versiti and Director of the Transfusion Medicine Program at Marquette University, Dr. Elizabeth Glockel-Blessing, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Associate Dean for Students and Academic Affairs in the Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University, and Ms. Amanda Reed, MAE, MLS(ASCP)CM, Director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Saint Louis University, to discuss current trends in MLS education. Our panelists describe the MLT to MLS bridge program at St. Cloud State, the blood bank internship program at Versiti, and the hybrid MLS program at Saint Louis University. They explore how hybrid, online and accelerated models open up more seats for students and explain how clinicals work in their respective MLS programs. Learn how MLS programs are evolving to meet the demand for medical laboratory scientists and move the profession forward.Topics Covered · The education paradigm our panelists are using in their respective MLS programs· Ms. Ellinger’s MLT to MLS bridge program and how it’s individualized for each student· The blood center-based blood bank internship program Ms. Johnson is developing and how participants separate their time as students vs. employees· How Dr. Glockel-Blessing and Ms. Reed’s hybrid MLS program differs from a traditional MLS program and why it targets students with biology and chemistry degrees· The 3 categorical programs offered at SLU and which generates the most interest· How clinicals work in the MLT to MLS bridge, MLS hybrid and BB internship programs· The advantages and disadvantages of each paradigm· How hybrid and online programs open up more seats for students in MLS programs· Our panelist's insight around the future of MLS educationConnect with ASCPASCPConnect with Ms. EllingerMs. Ellinger on LinkedInConnect with Ms. JohnsonMs. Johnson on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Glockel-BlessingDr. Glockel-Blessing on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. ReedMs. Reed on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. Tanabe & Ms. SwailsMs. Tanabe on LinkedInMs. Swails on TwitterResources MLT to MLS Program at St. Cloud State University Transfusion Medicine Blood Banking Fellowships at Versiti SLU’s Hybrid MLS DegreeInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Since its inception in 1922, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) has worked to provide excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals. And while the implementation of these principles has changed dramatically in the last 100 years, the core values of the organization have not. ASCP maintains its patient focus and ongoing commitment to education and standardization. On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Ms. Kelly Swails and Mr. David Ritter, LMS Business Analyst for eLearning at ASCP, are joined by Dr. Fred Rodriguez, MD, MASCP, FCAP, Emma Moss Professor of Pathology at the LSU School of Medicine and Former President of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, to discuss the history of ASCP. Dr. Rodriguez discusses how and why the organization was founded in 1922, describing ASCP’s role at the forefront of developing standards for laboratory practices. He explains how ASCP’s Board of Registry Certification became the global gold standard for excellence in laboratory testing and explores the professional organization’s efforts to standardize Medical Laboratory Science programs in the last 100 years. Listen in to understand the challenges to advocating for our profession and the critical part pathologists and lab professionals play in modern medicine. Topics Covered · What the field of pathology was like when ASCP was founded in the early 1920s· How and why ASCP was founded as a not-for-profit organization· The 5 objectives articulated in the ASCP constitution (and why they have endured for 100 years)· ASCP’s role at the forefront of developing standards for laboratory testing· How ASCP’s Board of Registry Certification became the gold standard for excellence in lab testing worldwide· ASCP’s efforts to standardize Medical Laboratory Science programs over the last 100 years· What factors contributed to ASCP’s growth after World War II · ASCP’s role in supporting pathologists in developing countries· How COVID serves as an illustration of the importance of laboratory medicine· Concerns around the proliferation of point-of-care testing and what that means for the laboratory · Advocating for the profession to emphasize our critical role in modern medicine Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on TwitterEmail podcast@ascp.org Connect with Dr. RodriguezDr. Rodriguez at LSU Health Email fred.rodriguez@ascp.org  Connect with Ms. Swails & Mr. RitterMs. Swails on TwitterMr. Ritter on LinkedIn Resources 'The American Society for Clinical Pathology: The Pathology Society of Firsts’ in Laboratory MedicineCenter for Global HealthThe US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS ReliefASCP 2022 Annual MeetingInside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Baby boomers are competitive, self-actualizing, and results-oriented, while Gen Xers are pragmatic, independent, and adaptable. Millennials are known for being team-oriented, creative and resilient, and Gen Zers are entrepreneurial, compassionate, and open to change. But how do the perspectives of different generations play out inside the medical laboratory? On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Dr. James Crawford, MD, PhD, Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra and Senior Vice President of Laboratory Services at Northwell Health, Ms. Rosie Garris, MLS(ASCP)CM, recent graduate of Upstate Medical University and Medical Technician at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, and Ms. Dana Powell Baker, MBA, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Manager of Academic Partnerships with the Association of Public Health Laboratories and Chair for the ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals, to share their experiences working with different generations in the lab. Our panelists discuss the characteristics of the generation they identify with and describe the strengths they bring to the workplace based on their age. They offer examples of the collision of generational perspectives at work, exploring the downside of being a baby boomer, Gen Xer, millennial, or Gen Zer in the lab. Listen in for Dr. Crawford, Ms. Garris, and Ms. Powell Baker's insight on adapting to meet the needs of others and learn how to best collaborate with colleagues of different generations in the medical lab. Topics Covered ·  The benefits of working with different generations in the laboratory·  What strengths Dr. Crawford, Ms. Powell Baker, and Ms. Garris bring to the workplace based on their age·  Examples of collisions of generational perspectives in the lab·  The disadvantages of being a baby boomer, Gen Xer, millennial, or Gen Zer working in the lab·  How our panelists have changed their behavior toward others in relation to the demographics of the workplace·  What advice our panelists would give their younger selves as it relates to working with different generations in the medical laboratory Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Dr. CrawfordDr. Crawford at Northwell HealthDr. Crawford on LinkedIn Connect with Ms. GarrisMs. Garris on LinkedIn Ms. Garris on Instagram Connect with Ms. Powell BakerMs. Powell Baker on TwitterMs. Powell Baker on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. SwailsDr. Mulder on TwitterMs. Swails on TwitterResources Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

“It's a magical time in the hospital at night. It's a time that you can learn and a time that you can kind of have some independence ... with a small group of people that you trust, that are very good, just doing your job.” —Dr. Cathy Cooper Have you ever considered working the night shift in the medical laboratory? As with anything, there are pros and cons to working nights as a laboratory professional. If it’s a good fit for your personality, the night shift affords the opportunity to learn to trust yourself, to think critically, and form strong bonds with your small team. On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Dr. Dan Milner and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Ms. Angela Abbott, MLS(ASCP), Nightshift Supervisor of Laboratory Services at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Nataliya Sostin, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and Laboratory Site Director at St. Raphael Hospital, and Dr. Cathy Cooper, MD, Anesthesiologist and Anesthesia Representative to the Blood Utilization Committee at Virginia Commonwealth University, to share their experiences working the night shift in the lab. Our panelists discuss what a typical night shift in the lab looks like, describing the most challenging night shift experience they’ve faced and how they dealt with the situation. They explore what hospital administration can do to support less experienced third shift bench techs and explain how to recruit and retain lab staff on the night shift. Listen in for insight on making decisions when you feel like you need backup and get advice for  laboratory professionals, technicians, and pathologists considering a night shift position. Topics Covered · How to navigate handoffs when coming on shift · The most challenging night shift experience our panelists have faced and how they dealt with the situation· What hospital administration can do to support less experienced bench techs on the night shift· What we can do to recruit and retain night shift lab staff· Being called on to make decisions when you feel like you need backup to do so· Examples of how to solve systemic problems for night shift staff in the lab· Building relationships with hospital-wide night staff vs. laboratory colleagues on other shifts· Advice to laboratory professionals, technicians, and pathologists considering a night shift positionConnect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Ms. AbbottUniversity Health Laboratory ServicesConnect with Dr. SostinDr. Sostin at Yale School of Medicine Connect with Dr. CooperDr. Cooper on LinkedIn Dr. Cooper at VCU Health Connect with Dr. Milner & Ms. SwailsMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Milner on Twitter Resources Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

In the introduction to Glennon Doyle’s latest memoir, she asks herself, “Who was I before I became who the world told me to be?” We’re all affected by social conditioning and make choices based on others’ expectations. And all too often, we make ourselves smaller to fit in the “cage” of what’s socially acceptable. So, what can we do to break free from social conditioning and start accepting our authentic selves? On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Dr. Lotte Mulder and Ms. Kelly Swails are joined by Ms. Patty J. Eschliman, MHA, MLS(ASCP), DLM, Director of Laboratory Operations at Western Missouri Medical Center and Former Chair of the DLM Exam Committee for ASCP, Dr. Jennifer Kasten, MD, MSc, FASCP, Pediatric Pathologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Member of the ASCP Pathologist Council, and Dr. Constantine ‘Aki’ Kanakis, MD, MSc, MLS(ASCP), Resident Physician at Loyola Medicine in Chicago and Member of the ASCP Patient Champions Advisory Board, to discuss Glennon Doyle’s bestseller, Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living. Our panelists explore how much of our decision-making is based on other people’s expectations and what women can do to find freedom from social conditioning. They share some of the things they denied themselves over the years because they didn’t fit with societal expectations and explain what we can do to reconnect with parts of ourselves we’ve neglected. Listen in for insight around the “cages” we impose on ourselves and learn how the principles in Untamed might inform our work in the predominantly female field of laboratory medicine. Topics Covered · How the expectations of our families and peer groups inform the “cages” we impose on ourselves· How much our decision-making is based on  expectations of others (and why some expectations are beneficial)· How to create a balance between forging your own path and asking for advice from others · What we can do to reconnect with the parts of ourselves we’ve neglected· How the themes covered in Untamed inform working in the laboratory  Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on Twitter Connect with Ms. EschlimanMs. Eschliman on LinkedIn The Lab Leader Coach Connect with Dr. KastenDr. Kasten on Twitter Dr. Kasten at Cincinnati Children’s Connect with Dr. KanakisDr. Kanakis on TwitterDr. Kanakis at Loyola Pathology Connect with Dr. Mulder & Ms. SwailsMs. Swails on TwitterDr. Mulder on Twitter Resources Untamed by Glennon Doyle ASCP Leadership Institute Inside the Lab in the ASCP Store 

Most pathologists have limited face-to-face interaction with patients. And yet, many patients would benefit from the opportunity to discuss their lab results with a content expert. What can pathologists and laboratory professionals do to connect with the people we serve? How do we make ourselves available to patients and engage them as partners on their wellness journey? On this episode of Inside the Lab, our hosts, Dr. Lotte Mulder and Dr. Ali Brown, Chief Officer of Medical Quality at ASCP, are joined by Dr. Lija Joseph, MD, Medical Director for the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Lowell General Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey L. Myers, MD, A. James French Professor of Diagnostic Pathology and Director of Michigan Medicine Laboratories at the University of Michigan, and Ms. Christie Vazquez, MSN, RN, CPN, Pediatric Nurse at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and ASCP Patient Champion, to discuss how patients benefit from talking to pathologists.  Dr. Joseph and Dr. Myers explain what inspired them to create patient-pathologist consultation programs and explore how we might give patients direct access to a pathologist who can interpret their lab results. Listen in to understand how the CURES Act is impacts these programs and learn how to guide patients to trusted online resources when they don’t have immediate access to a laboratory professional. Topics Covered ·  Why it's important for pathologists to talk to and connect with patients·  What inspired Dr. Joseph and Dr. Myers to start patient-pathologist consultation programs at their institutions and the challenges of such a program ·  How patients benefit from understanding their lab tests and pathology reports·  Creating pathology reports that are easy for patients to understand·  The stigma of pathologists not being skilled communicators (and what we can do to overcome it)·  Why it’s crucial for pathologists to be clear about their area of expertise and refer questions that are out of their scope of practice back to the referring physician·  How the CURES Act is impacting ’ patient-pathologist consultation programs Connect with ASCPASCPASCP on FacebookASCP on InstagramASCP on TwitterConnect with Dr. JosephDr. Joseph on Twitter Dr. Joseph at Lowell GeneralConnect with Dr. MyersDr. Myers on TwitterDr. Myers at Michigan Medicine Connect with Ms. VazquezMs. Vazquez on LinkedInMs. Vazquez at ASCP Patient Champions Connect with Dr. Mulder & Dr. BrownDr. Mulder on TwitterDr. Brown on TwitterResources CURES ActASCP Patient Champion Online ResourcesInside the Lab in the ASCP Store