Alae Kawam

About Alae Kawam

The most important part of pathology is the people. Protecting them—patients, laboratory professionals, and pathologists alike—must be our highest priority. Today’s world is plagued by burnout, loneliness, and disconnection: the modern malady. To raise the profile of pathology, I’ve looked far beyond the lab, drawing insights from sources like Gallup and The Wall Street Journal that explore how “human problems” impact performance. But these perspectives often reduce wellness to productivity. True purpose, growth, and meaning are rarely the focus.

This disconnect became a mission for me. I asked: How do we find balance in a world designed to do the opposite? I started with the laboratory.

My advocacy began in residency, where I served on the Wellbeing and DEI Committees. I championed the creation of a private lactation room for a postpartum co-resident and a dedicated meditation space for daily prayers—small acts that reflect my belief that we must humanize medicine from the inside out. In high-volume settings, how can we ensure the well-being of our staff? How can we use emerging tools like digital pathology and AI to help?

To advance these questions, I published “Addressing Burnout and Supporting Mental Health in Laboratory Medicine” in Clinics in Laboratory Medicine and contributed a chapter to White Coats, Courageous Hearts, where I explored the tension between systemic physician challenges and the desire to live a full, human life. On Kim Downey’s podcast Stand Up for Doctors, I spoke openly about the need to reconnect with ourselves to heal.

As a freelance writer for Pathology News, I center the voices of young pathologists navigating generational shifts, burnout, and changing professional identities. I intentionally frame pathology within broader conversations about workplace culture and the future of healthcare to make it more visible and relatable.

Outside the written word, I serve as an ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, advocating for national physician mental health reform. I’ve also lobbied on Capitol Hill with the College of American Pathologists, calling for sustainable practice models and recognition of our field’s contributions.

As co-host of the Beyond the Scope podcast for the Digital Pathology Association, I spotlight leaders transforming diagnostics through AI, global health, and innovation. These conversations bring visibility to our evolving role and humanize the specialty for broader audiences.

Pathologists are not only leaders in diagnostics—we are leaders in empathy, systems thinking, and change. The world needs to see us that way. By telling better stories, embracing technology, and showing up—in media, in policy, and at the bedside—I am helping pathology step into its rightful place as a leader in modern medicine.