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Manager of Laboratory Staff Education and Development, Mayo Clinic Florida, USA

Biggest challenge in pathology? Recruitment and retention of qualified laboratory professionals is a critical challenge in the field of pathology. As the need for proficient lab workers and pathologists intensifies, a large percentage of the existing workforce is nearing retirement. The 2022 ASCP Vacancy Survey showed a five-year anticipated retirement of all laboratory careers ranging from 7.8 percent to 41.7 percent. When this rate of retirement is compounded with the average vacancy rate of 13.7 percent across all regions, it becomes evident that the staffing shortage will create a significant demand. 

Moreover, the survey also noted a decline in training programs. There is a scarcity of eligible applicants for careers in pathology fields at laboratory and consultant level due to the limited number of educational programs and the specialized nature of the professions. Retention becomes an integral component of workforce planning with factors such as job satisfaction, working conditions, and technological adaptation being of paramount importance. Some strategies I use to tackle this challenge include personality workshops, laboratory awareness and outreach sessions, and offering hospital lab tours with individual observations.

Have you ever wondered if your work personality is the same as your at home personality? My career mentor encouraged me to invest in a weeklong personality facilitator course. After completion of the course, I now schedule virtual and in-person workshops to leverage personality preferences to enhance job satisfaction, productivity, and work culture. Understanding laboratorians’ personalities allows tailored recruitment and retention efforts.

There is still a lack of awareness about careers in the laboratory field. To address this, I participate in career fairs for middle and high school students, offering hands-on toolkits to spark their interest. These toolkits cover the range of laboratory careers, from phlebotomy to the role of a pathologist diagnosing diseases. For clinical pathology, the kits include a practice phlebotomy arm, blood tubes with synthetic blood, microbiology plates, and example slides. For anatomic pathology, they contain preserved organ specimens, histology blocks, and digital images of organs in both healthy and diseased states. I also organize an interactive game to help students identify different organs. Additionally, I arrange mentor sessions where students can learn from experienced laboratory professionals, helping them explore this rewarding career path.

Hospital lab tours offer an overview of the clinical and anatomic pathology laboratory. Students can witness cutting-edge technology, diverse roles, and collaborative teamwork. After a tour, individuals may choose a tailored lab observation allowing them to explore specific areas of interest. Whether it’s histology, microbiology, or molecular pathology, hands-on experiences deepen their understanding and passion. In addition, I arrange and plan a four-week observational program for medical students, which encompasses both anatomic and clinical pathology.

Furthermore, students in the program are mentored by physicians with M.D., Ph.D., and D.O. degrees, providing them with valuable experience to help make informed career choices. Program spots are offered on a rolling basis and are allocated through a waitlist that prioritizes students based on when they applied, ensuring fairness. Recruitment and retention in this field are long-term investments, with the benefits possibly taking years to show. However, implementing thoughtful recruitment and retention strategies now is crucial for the future of the laboratory and, ultimately, for patient care.

Intro to pathology? Early influences shaped my path in unexpected ways. As a high school student, my fascination with science was ignited by an extraordinary teacher who went beyond textbooks and lectures. Mrs. Howell taught AP Biology and challenged us to explore beyond the classroom walls. One day, our class activity was a case study of a patient with a long list of clinical symptoms. She posed a question: “What tests are you going to use to figure out what is wrong with your patient and what are the treatment options?”

This query sparked a fire within me. I delved into the small classroom library of medical books researching and documenting my selection of tests, making notes on why I chose each test. Mrs. Howell encouraged me to think critically, to question assumptions, and seek evidence. Together, we explored diagnostic tests to unravel the mysteries of our patient.

In subsequent years in college, I learned to extract DNA, perform western blots, isolate chemical compounds, and solve unknown chemical compositions using IR, NMR, and Mass Spectroscopy results. Little did I know that these very specific experiments were shaping my future. The preparation, critical thinking and attention to detail required to handle these labs honed my skills. More importantly, they instilled in me a sense of purpose. I mastered how to perform and evaluate various testing methods with results-based metrics. 

Mrs. Howell and many teachers thereafter, taught me that science isn’t just about facts; it’s about curiosity, inquiry, and empathy. At each milestone, I learned how to approach problems methodically, to weigh evidence, and to trust my judgment. 

Years later, as a clinical laboratory scientist, Pathologists’ Assistant, Lead Information Management Pathologists’ Assistant, and now Manager of Laboratory Education, I find myself drawing on those early lessons to organize educational activities and faculty developments. My goal is to inspire the next generation of laboratory professionals and pathologists.

Professional ambitions? Leveraging technology in healthcare holds immense potential. My professional ambition embraces innovative solutions to enhance education, streamline lab processes, and foster interdisciplinary communication. 

In the rapidly changing healthcare field, laboratory professionals and pathologists are crucial for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. To meet the growing demands of patient care, it's vital to embrace technology that can transform our practices. Technology has also reshaped education and communication, offering new ways to train future laboratory professionals and pathologists. I use a variety of teaching tools, such as 3D models, scanned organ images, and digital microscopy to enhance learning.

I focus on reducing testing errors and improving patient outcomes by using data analytics to identify areas needing improvement and to assess the effectiveness of educational programs. My teaching approach is multidisciplinary, often collaborating with nursing educators to create sessions that combine laboratory and clinical perspectives. For example, in a recent session on solid organ transplants, I highlighted the roles of different teams and the importance of communication throughout the process, from patient testing to post-transplant care. Technology plays a key role in closing communication gaps and ensuring seamless data sharing.

My goal is to revolutionize healthcare by leveraging technology, innovative teaching methods, and informatics to improve lab workflows and reduce errors. I am actively involved in managing laboratory education at Mayo Clinic Florida and volunteering with national organizations like the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants and the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Ultimately, I aim to keep up with healthcare's evolving landscape, meet patient care needs, and support the professional growth of laboratory staff.