Episode 190: Dr Emily Volk - Bringing Pathologist Leadership and Patient Advocacy to the Forefront

My guest today is Pathologist Dr Emily Volk. Mentorship played a significant role in her career, guiding her decisions and shaping her path. Dr. Volk became involved with the College of American Pathologists (CAP) through a mentor, who encouraged her to join the cytopathology committee. Dr. Volk was elected to the CAP Board of Governors and later became the president, serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key accomplishments during her presidency included establishing the Council on Informatics and Pathology Innovation (CIPI) and navigating the implications of the Dobbs decision on pathology practice. She emphasizes the importance of pathologists as advocates for patients and the need to communicate effectively about pathology reports. Dr. Volk has started creating short videos on social media to educate patients and share leadership insights, inspired by a friend in the business world. She discusses the concept of "first do no harm" in leadership, advocating for thoughtful responses rather than rushing to action. Dr. Volk shares a personal story about her father's reaction to her language in one instance, emphasizing the importance of treating patients with respect and dignity. She addresses concerns about a study linking tattoos to lymphoma, highlighting the difference between association and causation in medical research. Dr. Volk believes it is crucial for pathologists to continue promoting their field and educating patients about the role of pathologists in their care.   Links for this episode: Health Podcast Network  LabVine Learning Dress A Med scrubs Digital Pathology Club   Dr Emily Volk on Instagram College of American Pathologists Council on Informatics and Pathology Innovation   People of Pathology Podcast: Twitter Instagram