CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
Patrick Godbey, MD
July 2020—It is with profound sadness that I write about the passing of a dear friend. Gene Herbek, MD, served as president of the CAP from 2013 to 2015, and many CAP TODAY readers will remember his informative column in these pages. For details about his life and accomplishments, please read his obituary. I’d like to spend this column focused on how he shaped the CAP, and what an honor it was to have known him.
Dr. Godbey
Through his many years as a CAP member—serving on more than 60 committees, subcommittees, commissions, boards, and councils along the way—Gene had tremendous influence on the CAP. He always had the best interests of CAP fellows in mind, as well as those of our junior members. While some of his ideas were controversial, Gene was not afraid to get things done. And even the unpopular ideas have, in my opinion, proved to be correct. The CAP is a far better place because of his involvement at so many levels, most notably as a governor, secretary-treasurer, and president.
Even after his term as president, Gene continued to serve the members of the CAP. Most recently, as chair of the Nominating Committee, he was making plans for the next committee meeting when he got sick. This was a particularly good role for him because he never approached anyone with preconceived opinions. He was eminently fair and evaluated each person on his or her own merit.
Gene was a phenomenal physician. He also helped other laboratories better themselves through his active role in domestic and international inspections. As founder of the CAP Foundation’s See, Test & Treat initiative, he helped thousands of women receive free screening for breast and cervical cancer. His impressive service record was the inspiration for the Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award, which was established to honor leaders in pathology who have shown dedication to the See, Test & Treat program.
Beyond our work for the CAP, Gene and I also shared a deep friendship. Our families are close and have spent much time together over the years. Gene was a great husband to his wife, Jean (colleagues referred to them as Dr. Gene and Mrs. Jean to avoid confusion). He was also a wonderful father and grandfather, playing a large part in the lives of his daughters, Sara and Emily, and his granddaughter, Rylee.