Please tell us about yourself, and describe your past volunteer work.
I started my career in pathology within cytogenetics research and quickly found my niche in a frozen section laboratory as a path tech at a large institution. Having had a variety of clinical rotations during my enrollment in the PA program at Quinnipiac University, I was able to narrow down what satisfied my curiosity and career aspirations best, and decided to pursue my career at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, where I am today. My journey at Mayo Clinic has overwhelmed me in the most awesome ways. I started with developing the skills of a traditional surgical PA in the non-traditional frozen section laboratory; was able to subspecialize within cardiovascular, autopsy, ophthalmic, and forensic pathology areas where I have a significant level of interest; and am experiencing the responsibilities and possibilities of the leadership role of assistant supervisor. Over the course of my career as a PA, I have had the great pleasure of working on the AAPA’s Grossing Guidelines Content Review Team starting in 2013. This has been a long adventure with great team discussions and communications with those involved in multiple areas of the publication’s development. More recently, I began on the Forensic Pathology Task Force team with AAPA, also having participated as a Town Hall Panelist at the 2019 Spring Continuing Education Meeting. I am involved in recruiting colleagues for article development for the Education Committee as well, having influenced several PAs to step out of their comfort zone and provide learning opportunities for their fellow AAPA members.
Why are you interested in serving on the AAPA BOT?
As a pathologists’ assistant since 2011, and a member of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants since then, I would be honored to serve on the Board of Trustees for the advancement of the profession. To participate in the work the BOT members are responsible for would be a great task, one with significant impact on the direction of the profession. I would value the opportunity to speak for the members of the AAPA in discussions and for decision-making for the betterment and advancement of the profession.
What do you think should be the most important priority for AAPA?
Prioritization of the advancement of the PA profession is of utmost importance for the national organization representing the pathologists’ assistant. With advancing our profession, the value of us, both as a business as well as individually, would increase to a level of greater use. Whether it be with subspecialization, versatility, wider management abilities or otherwise, the PA profession could spread beyond the walls where we currently exist, and help to contribute to the quality of care each of our patients receive.
What is your understanding of the mission and vision of this organization?
As I understand, the AAPA’s purpose is for the members, for those PAs so deeply dedicated to the profession, with a vision of advancing the careers of PAs, continually improving the quality of our working standards, and simply increasing the pathologists’ assistant’s value in the field.
Is there a particular area that you feel could be improved within AAPA?
Valuable improvements to the AAPA would include continued changes and updates with modes of communication and supply of information to our members. To keep up with the quickness of change, for example as seen with the pandemic and ever-changing requirements in the laboratory and in the hospital settings, as well as at home, that is vital for the AAPA to stay abreast of – keeping our members ahead of the curve. The changes from in-person to virtual, needed updates to platforms with communication that can reach all members, that is key to maintain and improve for the organization and its members.
What is the biggest challenge your lab faces today?
Change is the biggest challenge our lab faces today – to communicate it, to implement it, and to adjust as feedback returns for the best quality care to the patients and to satisfy their needs. Having a variety of members on the laboratory’s team presents a need to communicate, train, and carry out on a number of platforms to have the greatest dedication to the change and ultimately the greatest quality product.
