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

People of Pathology Podcast

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:

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