About Critical Values

Critical Values is the go-to resource for the entire laboratory team, providing insight and information on the latest research, information, and issues within pathology and laboratory medicine. The print and online magazine invites submissions on topics including, but not limited to, advocacy, education, technology, global health, workforce, workplace best practices, and leadership.

Questions? Comments? Email us at criticalvalues@ascp.org.


Critical Values Staff

Molly Strzelecki  Editor 

Martin Tyminski  Creative Director  

Jennifer Brinson  Art Direction and Design 

Our Recent Articles

3 Questions With Allen C. Omo-Ogboi, MD

Aug 6, 2026, 14:17 PM by Team Critical Values

Allen C. Omo-Ogboi, MD’s interest in pathology developed while studying human anatomy during his early years of medical school. The faculty and laboratory staff provided a strong foundation for later pathology rotations. Since then, Dr. Omo-Ogboi has built his pathology career on a foundation of mentorship and collaboration—having served as both an ASCP Pathology Ambassador and a member of the Resident Council.

Here, Dr. Omo-Ogboi talks with Critical Values on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, his leadership philosophy, and the unseen yet critical patient care role he serves by ‘restoring hope with precise answers.’ 

What does collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers mean to you in ensuring the best care for patients?

Collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers turns laboratory data into actionable clinical decisions. I interpret tissue and body fluid specimens, but these findings are most valuable when combined with the patient’s clinical history, imaging, and treatment goals. By participating in tumor boards, communicating critical results promptly, and consulting directly with oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and primary care teams, we refine diagnoses, reduce unnecessary procedures, select biomarker-guided therapies, and optimize surgical margins. This interdisciplinary approach ensures coordinated, patient-centered care, delivering accurate diagnoses to the right clinician at the right time and supporting safer, more effective outcomes.
 

What are some of the lessons you've learned through the different leadership or volunteer roles you’ve taken on, in or out of ASCP?

Volunteering and leadership roles with ASCP taught me that real leadership centers on the people you serve. As a Pathology Ambassador, I organized small groups and events to highlight the importance of pathology and laboratory medicine. Seeing those conversations inspire others to become pathology residents and laboratory professionals left a lasting impression. Later, as a Resident Council member, I reached a wider audience to discuss challenges in the field and collaborate on practical solutions. These experiences showed me that even modest, consistent actions can shape life-changing decisions for others. I now bring the same mindset to my daily practice, partnering with laboratory professionals so that every patient receives the best possible care.
  

How do you personally see the impact of your work on patients, even though you may not interact with them directly?

As a pathologist, I play a vital yet often unseen role in patient care. Although I rarely meet the patients whose samples I examine, every diagnosis I render shapes their treatment. An accurate report can confirm a life-saving plan, prevent unnecessary therapies, or detect disease early enough to make a difference. In the laboratory, I ensure quality, identify key findings that guide clinical decisions, and contribute to advances in medicine. My impact is reflected in outcomes: providing clarity in uncertain moments, restoring hope with precise answers, and supporting effective treatments through reliable data. Each test represents a person placing trust in the system, and I honor that trust by delivering accurate and timely results.