3 Questions With Karen Pregnall, EdD, CT(ASCP), HT(ASCP)

Dr. Karen Pregnall is working to ensure the laboratory profession has a voice in national healthcare policy discussions as a member of ASCP’s Commission on Science, Technology & Public Policy. She also volunteers her time to speak with high school and college students about careers in laboratory medicine. Here, she shares lessons learned from her own career journey with Critical Values.

You speak with students—high school and college—about their career paths. Did you have any mentors that have impacted your career journey?

My background is in anatomic pathology within laboratory medicine. I began my career in cytotechnology, where I both practiced and taught. Later, while serving as program director for a hospital-based histotechnology program, my manager, Nina Epps, an experienced medical laboratory scientist, taught me a great deal about the clinical laboratory and the importance of providing quality results.

My work in education and quality, along with collaboration across care team members, phlebotomists, clinical laboratory professionals, and anatomic pathology professionals, has given me valuable insight into laboratory practice as a whole. I am grateful for the broad perspective I have gained across both clinical and anatomic pathology.

What steps do you take to maintain a strong sense of purpose and connection to the human side of healthcare?

Through my work in education and quality initiatives, I help strengthen the future laboratory workforce and ensure team members stay current with regulations that support high-quality patient care.

When I speak with high school and college students about laboratory science, I remember that they are not simply exploring a job; they are considering a career that will play a critical role in the health of our communities, locally and nationally. Regardless of the path they choose, I hope they leave with a stronger understanding of how laboratory medicine supports patient care.

If you could help patients understand one thing about the role of pathology or lab medicine in their care, what would it be?

I would want patients to understand how essential the laboratory is to their care. Many critical healthcare decisions are based on lab results, and laboratory professionals are highly trained members of the care team who work alongside patient-facing providers to support safe, high-quality care.