3 Questions with Saswati Das, MD

For Saswati Das, MD, her career in pathology and laboratory medicine started with a profound fascination of understanding disease processes and a deep-seated desire to contribute to patient care while focusing on diagnostic medicine. As an Assistant Professor and Senior Specialist at Atal Bihari Vajpyee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Dr. Das oversees a broad portfolio of chemical pathology diagnostics, molecular medicine, and quality management, and led the development of evidence-based testing procedures, served as a subject matter expert in webinars, and led training sessions for laboratory staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secret to a successful career in laboratory medicine, she says, “is effective communication with fellow physicians. It is imperative to close the brain-to-brain loop.”  

Here, Dr. Das shares her insight on what keeps her engaged with the laboratory, the future of laboratory technology, and more.  

What aspects of pathology and laboratory medicine do you find most intriguing and fulfilling? How do these align with your personal and professional interests?  

One pivotal moment that solidified my career choice was witnessing the direct impact of accurate laboratory diagnostics on patient treatment plans. This underscored the critical role of pathology in healthcare delivery and fueled my commitment to the field. What I find most intriguing and fulfilling about pathology and laboratory medicine are the analytical challenges, utilization of advanced diagnostic technologies, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in patient outcomes.  

As an artificial intelligence enthusiast, I think that in the near future, proficiency in programming will be vital in both the laboratory and general healthcare fields. Laboratories open the door for adoption of precision medicine. In addition to improving diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, precision diagnostics create new avenues for researching disease causes and creating focused treatment plans. By utilizing these tools, I am able to provide my patients with the finest care possible while remaining at the forefront of medical innovation. 

As a pathologist, you have a unique perspective on disease diagnosis and patient care. How do you approach the responsibility of delivering accurate and timely diagnoses, knowing they have a significant impact on patient outcomes? 

 Ensuring quality in diagnostics has been a cornerstone of my career in laboratory medicine. At my previous institution, Quest Diagnostics, USA, I led the Quality Management team and was responsible for designing an IQCP plan based on Sigma Metrics for both the pre-analytical and analytical phases. My experience as a Six Sigma Green Belt, ISO 15189 Internal Auditor, and College of Pathology Trained Inspector has equipped me with the skills necessary to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to standards. Looking ahead, my vision as an academic and scientist revolves around upholding the highest standards of accreditation, teaching memorable lessons that foster intellectual and practical rigor, and advancing knowledge through ethical research. I believe in the transformative power of collaboration, innovation, and lifelong learning in shaping the future of laboratory medicine and healthcare at large. 

What are some of the lessons you've learned through the different volunteer roles you’ve held? 

Through my volunteer roles, both inside and outside of ASCP, I've gained important experience in interdisciplinary teamwork, leadership, and advocacy. These experiences have given me the chance to network with peers, exchange best practices and expertise, and support projects that will further the science of laboratory medicine.