Summary
The CAP president emphasizes the importance of inspiring others in the field of pathology. This can be achieved by encouraging new voices to join the field, engaging with medical students, and actively participating in the CAP. Additionally, connecting with international colleagues, advocating for the field with elected officials, and educating patients about the role of pathology are crucial for inspiring change and elevating the field.
Opportunities to inspire
January 2026—This early in a new year, many of us are inspired to make resolutions, try new things, and view the world with a little more hope. “Inspire” is one of the themes I chose for my presidency. In this column, I’d like to talk more about what that means to me—and, I hope, to you as well.
As pathologists, we already give our all to our jobs, spending so much time providing the best care to patients and ensuring that our laboratories run smoothly while meeting the highest quality standards in our field. I understand if it feels like that’s as much as we can do. But I truly believe we have even more to offer to our patients, to the general public, and to each other. It just takes the spark of inspiration.
For instance, we can inspire others to join our ranks. Our whole field benefits when we can bring new voices, especially underrepresented voices, into the practice of pathology and into the CAP. If you know pathologists who aren’t CAP members, talk to them about the value of participating in the largest organization of board-certified pathologists.
There are also opportunities for all of us to work through the CAP or through other channels to find bright young minds in medicine and encourage them to join us in the wonderful and rewarding specialty we’ve chosen. We can visit medical school classes or networking events and speak with students about the profound impact of pathology, helping them discover the unique attributes and array of subspecialties a career in pathology offers. There are so many new medical school graduates looking for guidance, and our experience can be very helpful when we find ways to share it.
If you’re already a member of the CAP, you have avenues open to you to influence and inspire others. I’m eager to see more mobilization of our members and more grassroots activities. If your whole involvement with the CAP is paying your annual membership dues, you are missing out. There is so much more to this organization: it’s a powerful network you can plug into to inspire change in this field (and to get inspired yourself). Is there something you wish were different about pathology, about how it’s practiced, or about the tools we use? The CAP offers a foundation to let you do something about that—whether it’s simply expressing that viewpoint to other people who understand, or joining a committee to put an idea for change into action. And that’s not just for our more senior members. I urge our residents and fellows to help shape the future of this dynamic field. You have fresh ideas and different perspectives. I want to hear them.
We can also connect with our international colleagues to share best practices, spark new ideas, and establish exciting collaborations that can elevate pathology at a global level. Our expertise crosses continents, shapes policy decisions, and guides complex treatment plans. Whether you take the opportunity to attend an international pathology conference or find other ways to interact with colleagues around the world, the end result can bring inspiration to others while giving ourselves a renewed passion for pathology.
And how about our elected leaders? The CAP’s advocacy efforts are far more effective when elected officials understand the role that we pathologists play in medical care. If we can inspire our local, state, or federal politicians today, we might be happier about the outcomes of advocacy efforts tomorrow. I have talked to my congressman several times. When he realized that pathology had affected his family on a personal level, our mission hit home for him. That’s such a powerful thing to do, and it isn’t unique to me. I encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and offer them a tour of your pathology lab. Most politicians have never been to a clinical laboratory and have no idea what goes on in one. Setting up these visits takes a lot of time and patience, but when we can make them happen, they are amazing ways to inspire the people who have so much sway over the policies that affect how we practice medicine, including how much we are paid for the services we provide.
Last but not least, there are things we can accomplish within our own health care facilities. We must continue to advocate for our labs and staff with our physician colleagues. Pathologists are physicians, and we are an essential part of the medical care team. Also, we have no shortage of openings to inspire our patients, educating them about what we do and how we can make a difference in their care. When our patients and their families understand the role of laboratory medicine, they are far more likely to support policies that help us maintain high-quality labs. And let’s remember that we and our families depend on the same laboratory tests as our patients. We are equally invested in ensuring their quality and accuracy, underscoring our shared interests in delivering high-quality patient care.
As pathologists, we create tangible differences in patient outcomes and scientific discovery. I encourage all of you to bring your energy and your ideas. Get more involved, in whatever ways work best for you. Together, we have so much inspiration to offer.
Dr. Zhai welcomes communication from CAP members. Write to him at president@cap.org.