From the CEO - January 2026

As we begin this new year, I am filled with a deep sense of optimism and momentum for the future of ASCP. The past months have reaffirmed something I have long believed: when our community comes together we are capable of remarkable things.
I could not be more encouraged by the energy, dedication, and vision that define our organization today.

In my time as Interim CEO, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the commitment that fuels our work. The work done by our members, volunteers, staff, and partners has created a strong foundation, one that we can build on with a renewed focus. 

We are advancing programs that strengthen the pathology and laboratory workforce pipelines, reinforcing excellence in education, elevating quality in patient care, and expanding our influence across the healthcare landscape. Our unwavering dedication to the individuals and communities who rely on the expertise of pathologists, laboratory professionals, and the entire team, ensures accurate diagnostics for our patients every day.

As we look ahead, I want to emphasize that our progress is a shared achievement. ASCP’s strength lies not in any single initiative, program, or individual, but in the collective determination of tens of thousands of professionals who believe deeply in the power of pathology and laboratory medicine to transform lives. You—our members, partners, and supporters—are the driving force behind every milestone we reach.

This issue of Critical Values showcases the 2025 ASCP Report to Membership, highlighting so many of the efforts and accomplishments we experienced over the past year. Our dedication to putting patients first has never wavered. Together, we have achieved remarkable progress that has touched and improved countless lives. We continue to reinforce that pathology and laboratory medicine is the very foundation upon which high-quality care is built. This responsibility motivates us every day, and as we look back on the past year, we do so with pride in the meaningful accomplishments that have strengthened our mission and deepened our commitment to placing patients at the heart of all we do.

In this issue, we also offer an executive summary of the 2024 ASCP Vacancy Survey. This year’s survey results show that vacancy rates are higher in anatomic pathology, cytogenetics, flow cytometry, histology, LIS and QA/PI, and point-of-care departments compared to the 2022 report. The data also show that trends in vacancy rates are returning close to pre-pandemic levels but are still higher compared to the vacancy rates before COVID-19, suggesting continued challenges in recruitment of laboratory professionals.

This issue of Critical Values also features an article on a partnership with a new technology that can help patients better understand their pathology reports. With a focus on patient-centered care, Drs. Jason Wasserman of MyPathologyReport.com and Nicholas Befera  of Scanslated Inc., are collaborating to help demystify pathology reports and empower patients. “We realized the reports we were writing for doctors were now reaching a patient audience, with the potential for causing a lot of confusion and anxiety,” says Dr. Befera.

The coming months will undoubtedly bring complexities, as they always do in healthcare. But they will also bring moments of innovation, collaboration, and decisive action. We will continue to push boundaries, ask hard questions, and create pathways for the next generation of leaders. And through it all, we will remain anchored by our mission to improve patient care, advance scientific knowledge, and support the diverse pathology and laboratory medicine team who make it all possible.

As Interim CEO, I am honored to work with our members to help guide ASCP during this dynamic period. This year holds so much promise, and together, we will seize the opportunities before us, navigate challenges with confidence, and accomplish extraordinary things for our profession and the patients we serve.

Thank you for your dedication, your partnership, and your belief in ASCP. I look forward to all that we will achieve together.