LabMind

How will lab testing be different a decade from now? Many answers are likely to be found in the numerous projects championed by the roughly 200 medical directors and scientists of the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology. In this discussion, Dr. Adam Barker, chief scientific officer for ARUP Laboratories, explains how and why these R&D scientists are prioritizing the practica...

Improving physicians’ use of laboratory tests is not usually a problem of motivation. They’re already motivated to deliver high-quality care to their patients. More often, it’s about choice architecture, i.e., making sure that correct choices are easier to make than incorrect ones. In this discussion, Dr. Valerie Vaughn explains the science behind nudging and choice architecture. She also explains...

The needs of transgender and nonbinary patients are compelling laboratories to reexamine historic practices in areas such as patient demographics, reference intervals, and terminology. In this discussion, Drs. Joely Straseski and Jenna Rychert express confidence in the laboratory community's ability to meet the needs of both patients and clinicians by embracing fundamental principles of biolo...

Many physicians see board certification as a one-time hurdle along their career pathway. Dr. Gary Procop, incoming CEO of the American Board of Pathology, sees it instead as a longitudinal partnership “to help make great pathologists, and make great pathologists greater.” In this discussion he explains how ABPath and other specialty boards are using adult learning theory to make their programs mor...

It’s surprisingly common for individuals to harbor undiagnosed genetic conditions. For example, newborns with abnormally high bilirubin levels often reach adulthood without any discovery of the biologic cause. In this discussion, Dr. Archana Agarwal delves into the value of using focused genetic panels to end the diagnostic odysseys for about half of these patients while potentially avoiding risky...

When most people think of laboratorians, they picture introverts following rigid processes to perform technical tasks. These stereotypes sell laboratory professionals short. True, laboratory testing does involve technical chemistry and biology tasks, and some scientists might be introverts, but our field is far broader than this picture suggests. In this two-part episode, Stephanie Whitehead from...

When most people think of laboratorians, they picture introverts following rigid processes to perform technical tasks. These stereotypes sell laboratory professionals short. True, laboratory testing does involve technical chemistry and biology tasks, and some scientists might be introverts, but our field is far broader than this picture suggests. In this two-part episode, Stephanie Whitehead from...

Dennis Strenk, PA(ASCP)CM, has interviewed more than 70 people in pathology and laboratory medicine for his podcast, “People of Pathology.” We discuss the remarkable range of backgrounds, professional interests, and career paths he’s encountered, and why it’s never too late to pursue a laboratory career.

Global health is ultimately achieved by meeting the health needs of people in diverse real-world settings. Creative innovations developed to meet the needs of lower-resourced countries can often benefit wealthy countries as well. In this discussion, Dr. Karen Heichman, director of diagnostics for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, explains the need for fast, inexpensive testing that is easy to...

Andy Theurer recently became the seventh CEO in ARUP’s almost 40-year history. In this interview, he reflects on lessons learned from all six of his predecessors, shares why he’s been skipping to work almost every day for the more than 30 years he’s been with ARUP, and talks about how he hopes to guide the future of ARUP.

Dr. Sherrie Perkins never planned, nor aspired, to become CEO of a large clinical laboratory business. But after a long and successful career as an academic hematopathologist, she was tapped as the sixth chief executive in ARUP Laboratories’ nearly 40-year history. In this interview, she describes her journey from art student to pathologist, how every CEO leaves a distinctive mark on a company, an...

Few guests on LabMind have been as attuned to broad technologic trends in pathology as Dr. Joseph Anderson. He has worked in multiple settings, including private practice, academia, and industry, and is currently engaged in with several early-stage pathology companies. Anderson also hosts a podcast in which he interviews leaders in the domain of digital pathology. In this interview, we discuss his...

Patients’ needs and preferences don’t always match the preconceived notions of laboratory and medical professionals. In this interview, Heidi Wallis, president of the Association for Creatine Deficiencies, shares her family’s diagnostic odyssey. She also provides insights about how the biomedical establishment could better serve families like hers. Ms. Wallis has two children with GAMT deficiency,...

Transfusion medicine has arguably led other pathology subspecialties in improving patient safety through industrial quality management and standardization methods. However, standardization practices, such as the use of transfusion triggers, are in some respects a one-size-fits-all approach. And as we undoubtedly know, real patients aren't standardized. In this discussion, Ryan Metcalf, sectio...

Paul Epner’s more than four-decade career started at Abbott Diagnostics and has involved collaboration with the CDC and a tenure as president of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA). He now serves as CEO of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM). Throughout his career, Epner has been a powerful advocate for the role of laboratory professionals. In our special Lab Week...

When Dr. Nicola Longo, professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah, encounters a child with an undiagnosed syndrome, he has a unique resource: Dr. Marzia Pasquali, professor of pathology and section chief of Biochemical Genetics at ARUP Laboratories. Their connection extends back to high school in Parma, Italy, and grew through years of medical and scientific training, marriage, and clinical...

Ron Weiss, MD, MS, MBA, served as president and COO of ARUP Laboratories in the early 2000s. He was one of the principle authors of ARUP's “Five Pillars” statement of ethical principles. He pulls from his experiences growing up with a family business to explain how ARUP's early success required both business acumen and patient-centered values. Weiss also discusses why he's optimisti...

As an infectious disease physician and medical microbiologist, Dr. Kim Hanson has had a busy year. In this interview, she reflects on some of the successes during the COVID-19 era, such as the collaboration among rival regional health systems to provide testing for our communities. She discusses how COVID-19 testing needs are evolving, pointing to the pressing need for a national variant surveilla...

Nadine Fydryszewski is program director for the world’s first Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) program at Rutgers University. Modeled after other health professional degree programs, including those for pharmacy and physical therapy, this doctorate-level role for clinical laboratorians was developed to complement interdisciplinary patient care teams. Brandy Gunsolus, the program’s firs...