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Director of Dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute, and Assistant Professor of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, USA

Biggest challenge in pathology? The growing number of unfilled positions in both academia and community practices highlights the ongoing workforce shortage, which is causing significant strain for the existing workforce. It also exposes the changing dynamics of the field, which is shifting from specialized to more generalized practice. The challenge is exacerbated by reduced reimbursements for pathology services, coupled with financial pressures from healthcare systems. This further threatens the quality of care, making it necessary for the field to adapt and innovate.

Exciting developments and trends? While digitization and AI are the talk of the town and promising advancements in the field, I want to highlight the growing awareness and interest in pathology among medical students. Recent match results have been encouraging and underscore the importance of our continued work as pathologists to showcase the field as not only exciting but also as valuable and fulfilling as any other specialty in medicine.

Missing from the diagnostic toolbox? As trainees, we focus on making the correct diagnosis without fully grasping the implications of our findings. This issue becomes particularly evident when the diagnosis is uncertain, leaving us unable to provide clear directions to clinicians. In such instances, lengthy narratives in our reports are not useful. It is crucial that our training incorporates the true importance of clinicopathologic correlation, not only for diagnostic accuracy but also for therapeutic implications. We need to learn how to write reports that are concise and helpful to both clinicians and patients, even when the diagnosis remains unclear.

Inspiring leader? Kamran Mirza (Professor of Pathology Education, University of Michigan, USA) has been a profound source of inspiration for me, both professionally and personally, since my residency training. We both began our journey at Loyola on the same day, with him as a faculty member and me as a first-year resident. Although we did not know each other well in the initial months, we eventually formed a bond that remains strong, transcending roles as mentor and friend. His dedication to the field of pathology, his trainees, and colleagues both within and outside the field is truly awe-inspiring. Dr. Mirza is an incredible person with utmost humility who genuinely cares for others, making them feel valued. I strive every day to emulate his example.