Magazine Articles
Essays, commentaries, and narratives that reflect what it feels like to live and work in lab medicine. These are the stories I write when I step back from the microscope.
From Reaction to Revolution: How One Pathologist Flourished with Remote Work
Alexandra Rapp's success with remote pathology proves digital tools can make the field more accessible attracting diverse talent and boosting productivity. Her journey challenges traditional models, showing how flexibility enhances both training and recruitment.
Diagnosis and the Value of Pathology
Here we highlight the critical role of pathologists in patient care, emphasizing their impact on accurate diagnoses, treatment decisions, and early disease detection. We introduce diagnostic turnaround time (DTAT) as an optimized quality metric, showcasing how pathology drives timely and effective patient outcomes.
The Future of Platelets
As platelet shortages persist despite advancements in shelf-life extension, the future of transfusion medicine may lie in shifting from standardized platelet units to personalized dosing based on patient-specific needs. By leveraging clinical data and precision medicine principles, we can optimize platelet utilization and improve patient outcomes while addressing supply constraints.
A Space Waiting to Be Filled
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is addressing the shortage of benign hematology specialists by launching a service where pathologists provide direct patient care, both in-person and via telehealth. This initiative leverages pathologist's expertise in laboratory diagnostics to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
For Work and Play: Embracing AI as a Pathology Resident
As a pathology resident, I explored the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, discovering their usefulness in tasks such as code writing, literature searches, and study aids. While acknowledging their limitations and the need for fact-checking, I found that integrating LLMs into my workflow enhanced both my professional and personal productivity.
From Perfectionism to Progress: Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Laboratory Medicine
Perfectionism runs deep in laboratory medicine, where high stakes and exacting standards can drive both excellence and burnout. This article explores the psychological roots of perfectionism, its impact on lab professionals, and the fine line between healthy striving and harmful self-criticism. By embracing a growth mindset—rooted in learning, adaptability, and reflection—we can create a culture that values progress over perfection.
Laboratory Developed Tests: Did We Really Win?
Rethinking the overturn of the FDA’s LDT rule
I reflect on the March 2025 Texas court ruling that struck down the FDA’s effort to regulate laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), questioning whether preserving autonomy truly serves patients when critical standardization gaps remain.
