Description
Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Reporting
Clinical lab data collection reporting starts May 1
Dr. Zhai: Advocacy that delivers results for pathology and laboratories
Pathologists advocate for value-based care
Preparing for PAMA Reporting Requirements
Tell Congress to pass the RESULTS Act and find a permanent solution.
Watch: Medicare Learning Network: Is My Lab an Applicable Lab?
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Transcription
Does your lab need to prepare for reporting payment and reimbursement updates? What you should know. And a conversation about Black representation in pathology. Coming up next. Welcome to Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. Today is Tuesday, February 17th. I'm Brittani Riddle. Congress just hit pause on planned Medicare cuts to lab test payments, pushing them to next year. The delay gives labs a little breathing room, but there's still work ahead. Certain labs will still need to report private payer rate data, which will determine future Medicare fees. To help you get ready, the CAP has rolled out a new resource. Click the link in the show notes for more. While the CAP has resources for your labs, we continue to advocate for long-term payment reform by urging Congress to pass the Results Act. CAP members can make their voices heard by using the CAP Action Alert Center to let Congress know it's time to pass the Results Act. Amid ongoing payment and policy changes, strong advocacy remains essential to shaping the future of pathology. In a recent message to members in advocacy news, CAP President Dr. Chi-Wei Jim Zhai highlighted key advocacy achievements and progress on behalf of the specialty. Dr. Zhai also encouraged members to take another step by registering for the 2026 House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit, an important opportunity to raise your voice and advocate for your patients and the specialty. We'll have ongoing coverage leading up. to HOD PLS. Finally, diversity in pathology helps advance the specialty. My guest today is Dr. Rebecca Obeng, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospital, discusses her journey in pathology. Dr. Obeng, thank you so much for joining me today. I want to start with your origin story, if you will. What made you... interested in medicine and what brought you to pathology?
So the wanting to be in medicine is very much like a cliche because when I was a kid, I used to play like I was a doctor with my friends and my sisters. That was the game. We were doctors, you know, all growing up. So I'd been fascinated with just learning about the human body, what it can do, how the organs all come together, you know, to function. I thought it was, I've always thought it was been pretty cool. So it's been something that I'd always wanted to be a part of. As far as pathology, that's a bit more complicated and windy. Instead of what I had thought I wanted to do all along was kind of like, maybe not. And I also actually thought pathology was quite boring and I didn't get it.
Oh, wow.
I totally did not get it. I remember pathology class and we had a session and the pathologist put up a histology slide and he was like, obviously this is this and that. And I'm like, what is this? It's just pink and purple. Right. So, you know, I didn't quite really, I guess, grab or get, you know, the impact of pathology and how interesting and exciting it was until I actually did start like, you know, my intern year or so, or actually fourth year med school. When I was trying to figure out what to do. And at that time, when I had come back from the PhD work, I had realized that I don't really want to. practice medicine sort of in that way in that traditional way um and i didn't really want to be a surgeon long term either so if i had done it i would have done you know probably five ten years didn't quit you know to do something else and so i you know it was like oh let's you know think more about pathology and so i did a rotation and i actually did enjoy it i loved the attendings i worked with they were very you know impactful and in sort of making that enjoyable and i realized you're looking at slides every day wasn't so bad i mean it still seemed like Thank you. It's a lot of slides to look at every day, but, you know, but I could appreciate it more at that time. And so pathology seemed like a more of a better fit. And so I was able to switch into pathology the next year. I went through the match again and got my first choice. And it's been fun ever since.
And it's been fun ever since. I'm curious, what changed?
Pretty much everything about pathology really isn't taught so much in med school. At least it's not. For most med school curriculums, it's not really a main rotation. It's not a required rotation for the clinical side. And so it's sort of, you have to kind of know about pathology. If for you to say you want to rotate, you know, do a clinical rotation in pathology, and most people would do that because they've had some exposure in the past. But I think maybe when I got to grad school and I kind of learned sort of the techniques that I was using and then realized that, oh, those are sort of the things that people do in laboratory medicine on a regular basis and, you know, apply that to patient. And that's how, like, you know, these tissue processes for tumor samples or tissue samples are made and the blood products and, you know, chemistry and things like that. It kind of started to make more sense. So when I did the rotation, it was sort of a general pathology rotation where they... have you see, you know, different aspects of it, which was really nice because you get to see the full breadth. It's a wide variety of things that you can do within pathology. So that really kind of, you know, the attendants were great. They seemed more laid back, you know, more relaxed. They had more time to think. And I really liked that, to process things and, you know, really kind of come up with what is really going on, not sort of working in the moment and going, okay, this symptom is happening. We need to, you know, figure out. how to stop this symptom in this moment, you know, as opposed to, you know, processing the whole thing and putting it together. So that for the rotation was actually very useful. And then I got to do a little bit more shadowing when I was doing the surgery internship as well, which kind of helped me solidify going into pathology.
Why do you think Black representation in pathology is important? Well, I think it's important for you know, representation in general, right, of everything, um, is important, and that, that, you know, is, rings true with, um, Black people in medicine, or African Americans in medicine, because I didn't know, I mean, I still think we're a unicorn, you know, it's like, when I go somewhere and I see another Black pathologist, I'm like, oh my god, you know, and it's funny because where I work now is actually quite a few of us, you know, and it's, it's nice to see that, um, But I think, you know, seeing people, seeing what's possible, right, in your life, in your career and, you know, dreaming of what you could become or what you could do and seeing, you know, the whole spectrum of individuals that could participate in that role is very important. And so I know I, you know, personally, for what I do as a pathologist, I work kind of behind the scenes so people don't really see me. The patients don't really see me. They see the report with my name attached to it. And I don't really know how many people actually look me up. but just being in that space and knowing that I am one, you know, and where black people in pathology in particular are so few in the country that it's nice to be able to go out and tell people, Oh, I'm a pathologist because it's, it's funny because people don't even know that pathologists are physicians sometimes, which is, can be a little frustrating, you know? But I think it's good to, you know, anything you want to become, you can be, you know, You're not limited to one particular type of... activity or type of profession or type of lifestyle. There's the full spectrum of things that can be available for everyone is available to everyone or should be available to everyone. So from that perspective, how does Black representation in pathology affect research and patient care?
For me, I guess it's a little easier for me because it's always sort of on my mind. I also did some studies in public health with health policy and just trying to sort of get some equitable, you know, care and outcomes for patients. And so that topic is sort of on my back of my mind. And it's, I think it's, you know, and it's not really just about me being Black person, I think it's being Black because I can associate a bit more and I can understand, you know, cultural differences or norms that, you know, might drive certain behaviors or interactions with physicians. So I'm better able to sort of maybe synthesize those things. But anybody who really cares enough, you know, and thinks about social disparities or health disparities or trying to have an equitable space, it's nice to be there because you can, you know, as I look at patient samples and whatnot, I can, you know, look at, happen to see, oh, you know, African-Americans tend to have this. I'm seeing this in them more in my patient, in my samples than, you know, I'm seeing for this other population. Why is that? You know, maybe we could study that and figure out, you know. it might not just be access it might be some biological issues i'm more of a biochemical scientist so that's sort of kind of what i think about but that helps um you know to to be to be in that space and to have that mindset where i'm looking i'm trying to give a diagnosis and you know help treat you know manage patient care but at the same time i'm also thinking about you know if i'm seeing something that seems unusual can i think about you know what what coming in front of me, are there any differences or anything? issues that are coming up that might lead to some disparities in health outcomes that we can you know then further the line try to make that better because in the end as physicians we all we want to improve the health and well-being of everyone. I think, you know, coming in with different backgrounds and perspectives and sort of keeping that open mind when you're looking at things and thinking about your community and, you know, how health impacts and what you can do to mitigate that is part of, you know, what I like about having the opportunity to be a Black person in medicine and doing research as well.
What advice would you give to black medical students or any medical students really, who aren't sure what they want to specialize in about considering pathology?
I would say, you know, totally keep an open mind, explore, ask questions. Don't feel like you can't, you know, talk to certain specialties or, you know, talk to someone in a particular field because you don't feel, just ask, you know, just be very open minded and ask, well, what do you do? Like, seriously, I really did not think if you had asked me in my school, in the beginning if i was going to be a pathologist i would have looked at you like are you crazy like i didn't you know i really didn't did that was really not on my radar at all um and yet here we are and if you ask me now knowing what i know i would totally do it again you know that's definitely what i would i would probably do again um so just be open-minded uh and know that you know especially if you go into a field where there's so few you know and orthopedics is even slimmer i think the number of African Americans in In that field, it's just that you matter. And it could be hard where you feel like you are, like you're representing everybody. Because sometimes I feel like that. Right. It's like, you know, I can't really give up because then it's like, but at the same time, you're your individual, you know, yes, you are Black, but I think you come first, you know, so you have to decide what you what makes you truly happy because that's when you excel.
That's all for today on the Path News Network Daily Edition. Thank you again to my guest, Dr. Rebecca O'Bain. You can find more on today's stories in the show notes and our member newsletters on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We're back tomorrow at 5 a.m. Eastern time. Thank you for listening. Have a great day.
Description
Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Reporting
Clinical lab data collection reporting starts May 1
Dr. Zhai: Advocacy that delivers results for pathology and laboratories
Pathologists advocate for value-based care
Preparing for PAMA Reporting Requirements
Tell Congress to pass the RESULTS Act and find a permanent solution.
Watch: Medicare Learning Network: Is My Lab an Applicable Lab?
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Transcription
Does your lab need to prepare for reporting payment and reimbursement updates? What you should know. And a conversation about Black representation in pathology. Coming up next. Welcome to Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. Today is Tuesday, February 17th. I'm Brittani Riddle. Congress just hit pause on planned Medicare cuts to lab test payments, pushing them to next year. The delay gives labs a little breathing room, but there's still work ahead. Certain labs will still need to report private payer rate data, which will determine future Medicare fees. To help you get ready, the CAP has rolled out a new resource. Click the link in the show notes for more. While the CAP has resources for your labs, we continue to advocate for long-term payment reform by urging Congress to pass the Results Act. CAP members can make their voices heard by using the CAP Action Alert Center to let Congress know it's time to pass the Results Act. Amid ongoing payment and policy changes, strong advocacy remains essential to shaping the future of pathology. In a recent message to members in advocacy news, CAP President Dr. Chi-Wei Jim Zhai highlighted key advocacy achievements and progress on behalf of the specialty. Dr. Zhai also encouraged members to take another step by registering for the 2026 House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit, an important opportunity to raise your voice and advocate for your patients and the specialty. We'll have ongoing coverage leading up. to HOD PLS. Finally, diversity in pathology helps advance the specialty. My guest today is Dr. Rebecca Obeng, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospital, discusses her journey in pathology. Dr. Obeng, thank you so much for joining me today. I want to start with your origin story, if you will. What made you... interested in medicine and what brought you to pathology?
So the wanting to be in medicine is very much like a cliche because when I was a kid, I used to play like I was a doctor with my friends and my sisters. That was the game. We were doctors, you know, all growing up. So I'd been fascinated with just learning about the human body, what it can do, how the organs all come together, you know, to function. I thought it was, I've always thought it was been pretty cool. So it's been something that I'd always wanted to be a part of. As far as pathology, that's a bit more complicated and windy. Instead of what I had thought I wanted to do all along was kind of like, maybe not. And I also actually thought pathology was quite boring and I didn't get it.
Oh, wow.
I totally did not get it. I remember pathology class and we had a session and the pathologist put up a histology slide and he was like, obviously this is this and that. And I'm like, what is this? It's just pink and purple. Right. So, you know, I didn't quite really, I guess, grab or get, you know, the impact of pathology and how interesting and exciting it was until I actually did start like, you know, my intern year or so, or actually fourth year med school. When I was trying to figure out what to do. And at that time, when I had come back from the PhD work, I had realized that I don't really want to. practice medicine sort of in that way in that traditional way um and i didn't really want to be a surgeon long term either so if i had done it i would have done you know probably five ten years didn't quit you know to do something else and so i you know it was like oh let's you know think more about pathology and so i did a rotation and i actually did enjoy it i loved the attendings i worked with they were very you know impactful and in sort of making that enjoyable and i realized you're looking at slides every day wasn't so bad i mean it still seemed like Thank you. It's a lot of slides to look at every day, but, you know, but I could appreciate it more at that time. And so pathology seemed like a more of a better fit. And so I was able to switch into pathology the next year. I went through the match again and got my first choice. And it's been fun ever since.
And it's been fun ever since. I'm curious, what changed?
Pretty much everything about pathology really isn't taught so much in med school. At least it's not. For most med school curriculums, it's not really a main rotation. It's not a required rotation for the clinical side. And so it's sort of, you have to kind of know about pathology. If for you to say you want to rotate, you know, do a clinical rotation in pathology, and most people would do that because they've had some exposure in the past. But I think maybe when I got to grad school and I kind of learned sort of the techniques that I was using and then realized that, oh, those are sort of the things that people do in laboratory medicine on a regular basis and, you know, apply that to patient. And that's how, like, you know, these tissue processes for tumor samples or tissue samples are made and the blood products and, you know, chemistry and things like that. It kind of started to make more sense. So when I did the rotation, it was sort of a general pathology rotation where they... have you see, you know, different aspects of it, which was really nice because you get to see the full breadth. It's a wide variety of things that you can do within pathology. So that really kind of, you know, the attendants were great. They seemed more laid back, you know, more relaxed. They had more time to think. And I really liked that, to process things and, you know, really kind of come up with what is really going on, not sort of working in the moment and going, okay, this symptom is happening. We need to, you know, figure out. how to stop this symptom in this moment, you know, as opposed to, you know, processing the whole thing and putting it together. So that for the rotation was actually very useful. And then I got to do a little bit more shadowing when I was doing the surgery internship as well, which kind of helped me solidify going into pathology.
Why do you think Black representation in pathology is important? Well, I think it's important for you know, representation in general, right, of everything, um, is important, and that, that, you know, is, rings true with, um, Black people in medicine, or African Americans in medicine, because I didn't know, I mean, I still think we're a unicorn, you know, it's like, when I go somewhere and I see another Black pathologist, I'm like, oh my god, you know, and it's funny because where I work now is actually quite a few of us, you know, and it's, it's nice to see that, um, But I think, you know, seeing people, seeing what's possible, right, in your life, in your career and, you know, dreaming of what you could become or what you could do and seeing, you know, the whole spectrum of individuals that could participate in that role is very important. And so I know I, you know, personally, for what I do as a pathologist, I work kind of behind the scenes so people don't really see me. The patients don't really see me. They see the report with my name attached to it. And I don't really know how many people actually look me up. but just being in that space and knowing that I am one, you know, and where black people in pathology in particular are so few in the country that it's nice to be able to go out and tell people, Oh, I'm a pathologist because it's, it's funny because people don't even know that pathologists are physicians sometimes, which is, can be a little frustrating, you know? But I think it's good to, you know, anything you want to become, you can be, you know, You're not limited to one particular type of... activity or type of profession or type of lifestyle. There's the full spectrum of things that can be available for everyone is available to everyone or should be available to everyone. So from that perspective, how does Black representation in pathology affect research and patient care?
For me, I guess it's a little easier for me because it's always sort of on my mind. I also did some studies in public health with health policy and just trying to sort of get some equitable, you know, care and outcomes for patients. And so that topic is sort of on my back of my mind. And it's, I think it's, you know, and it's not really just about me being Black person, I think it's being Black because I can associate a bit more and I can understand, you know, cultural differences or norms that, you know, might drive certain behaviors or interactions with physicians. So I'm better able to sort of maybe synthesize those things. But anybody who really cares enough, you know, and thinks about social disparities or health disparities or trying to have an equitable space, it's nice to be there because you can, you know, as I look at patient samples and whatnot, I can, you know, look at, happen to see, oh, you know, African-Americans tend to have this. I'm seeing this in them more in my patient, in my samples than, you know, I'm seeing for this other population. Why is that? You know, maybe we could study that and figure out, you know. it might not just be access it might be some biological issues i'm more of a biochemical scientist so that's sort of kind of what i think about but that helps um you know to to be to be in that space and to have that mindset where i'm looking i'm trying to give a diagnosis and you know help treat you know manage patient care but at the same time i'm also thinking about you know if i'm seeing something that seems unusual can i think about you know what what coming in front of me, are there any differences or anything? issues that are coming up that might lead to some disparities in health outcomes that we can you know then further the line try to make that better because in the end as physicians we all we want to improve the health and well-being of everyone. I think, you know, coming in with different backgrounds and perspectives and sort of keeping that open mind when you're looking at things and thinking about your community and, you know, how health impacts and what you can do to mitigate that is part of, you know, what I like about having the opportunity to be a Black person in medicine and doing research as well.
What advice would you give to black medical students or any medical students really, who aren't sure what they want to specialize in about considering pathology?
I would say, you know, totally keep an open mind, explore, ask questions. Don't feel like you can't, you know, talk to certain specialties or, you know, talk to someone in a particular field because you don't feel, just ask, you know, just be very open minded and ask, well, what do you do? Like, seriously, I really did not think if you had asked me in my school, in the beginning if i was going to be a pathologist i would have looked at you like are you crazy like i didn't you know i really didn't did that was really not on my radar at all um and yet here we are and if you ask me now knowing what i know i would totally do it again you know that's definitely what i would i would probably do again um so just be open-minded uh and know that you know especially if you go into a field where there's so few you know and orthopedics is even slimmer i think the number of African Americans in In that field, it's just that you matter. And it could be hard where you feel like you are, like you're representing everybody. Because sometimes I feel like that. Right. It's like, you know, I can't really give up because then it's like, but at the same time, you're your individual, you know, yes, you are Black, but I think you come first, you know, so you have to decide what you what makes you truly happy because that's when you excel.
That's all for today on the Path News Network Daily Edition. Thank you again to my guest, Dr. Rebecca O'Bain. You can find more on today's stories in the show notes and our member newsletters on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We're back tomorrow at 5 a.m. Eastern time. Thank you for listening. Have a great day.
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Description
Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Reporting
Clinical lab data collection reporting starts May 1
Dr. Zhai: Advocacy that delivers results for pathology and laboratories
Pathologists advocate for value-based care
Preparing for PAMA Reporting Requirements
Tell Congress to pass the RESULTS Act and find a permanent solution.
Watch: Medicare Learning Network: Is My Lab an Applicable Lab?
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Transcription
Does your lab need to prepare for reporting payment and reimbursement updates? What you should know. And a conversation about Black representation in pathology. Coming up next. Welcome to Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. Today is Tuesday, February 17th. I'm Brittani Riddle. Congress just hit pause on planned Medicare cuts to lab test payments, pushing them to next year. The delay gives labs a little breathing room, but there's still work ahead. Certain labs will still need to report private payer rate data, which will determine future Medicare fees. To help you get ready, the CAP has rolled out a new resource. Click the link in the show notes for more. While the CAP has resources for your labs, we continue to advocate for long-term payment reform by urging Congress to pass the Results Act. CAP members can make their voices heard by using the CAP Action Alert Center to let Congress know it's time to pass the Results Act. Amid ongoing payment and policy changes, strong advocacy remains essential to shaping the future of pathology. In a recent message to members in advocacy news, CAP President Dr. Chi-Wei Jim Zhai highlighted key advocacy achievements and progress on behalf of the specialty. Dr. Zhai also encouraged members to take another step by registering for the 2026 House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit, an important opportunity to raise your voice and advocate for your patients and the specialty. We'll have ongoing coverage leading up. to HOD PLS. Finally, diversity in pathology helps advance the specialty. My guest today is Dr. Rebecca Obeng, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospital, discusses her journey in pathology. Dr. Obeng, thank you so much for joining me today. I want to start with your origin story, if you will. What made you... interested in medicine and what brought you to pathology?
So the wanting to be in medicine is very much like a cliche because when I was a kid, I used to play like I was a doctor with my friends and my sisters. That was the game. We were doctors, you know, all growing up. So I'd been fascinated with just learning about the human body, what it can do, how the organs all come together, you know, to function. I thought it was, I've always thought it was been pretty cool. So it's been something that I'd always wanted to be a part of. As far as pathology, that's a bit more complicated and windy. Instead of what I had thought I wanted to do all along was kind of like, maybe not. And I also actually thought pathology was quite boring and I didn't get it.
Oh, wow.
I totally did not get it. I remember pathology class and we had a session and the pathologist put up a histology slide and he was like, obviously this is this and that. And I'm like, what is this? It's just pink and purple. Right. So, you know, I didn't quite really, I guess, grab or get, you know, the impact of pathology and how interesting and exciting it was until I actually did start like, you know, my intern year or so, or actually fourth year med school. When I was trying to figure out what to do. And at that time, when I had come back from the PhD work, I had realized that I don't really want to. practice medicine sort of in that way in that traditional way um and i didn't really want to be a surgeon long term either so if i had done it i would have done you know probably five ten years didn't quit you know to do something else and so i you know it was like oh let's you know think more about pathology and so i did a rotation and i actually did enjoy it i loved the attendings i worked with they were very you know impactful and in sort of making that enjoyable and i realized you're looking at slides every day wasn't so bad i mean it still seemed like Thank you. It's a lot of slides to look at every day, but, you know, but I could appreciate it more at that time. And so pathology seemed like a more of a better fit. And so I was able to switch into pathology the next year. I went through the match again and got my first choice. And it's been fun ever since.
And it's been fun ever since. I'm curious, what changed?
Pretty much everything about pathology really isn't taught so much in med school. At least it's not. For most med school curriculums, it's not really a main rotation. It's not a required rotation for the clinical side. And so it's sort of, you have to kind of know about pathology. If for you to say you want to rotate, you know, do a clinical rotation in pathology, and most people would do that because they've had some exposure in the past. But I think maybe when I got to grad school and I kind of learned sort of the techniques that I was using and then realized that, oh, those are sort of the things that people do in laboratory medicine on a regular basis and, you know, apply that to patient. And that's how, like, you know, these tissue processes for tumor samples or tissue samples are made and the blood products and, you know, chemistry and things like that. It kind of started to make more sense. So when I did the rotation, it was sort of a general pathology rotation where they... have you see, you know, different aspects of it, which was really nice because you get to see the full breadth. It's a wide variety of things that you can do within pathology. So that really kind of, you know, the attendants were great. They seemed more laid back, you know, more relaxed. They had more time to think. And I really liked that, to process things and, you know, really kind of come up with what is really going on, not sort of working in the moment and going, okay, this symptom is happening. We need to, you know, figure out. how to stop this symptom in this moment, you know, as opposed to, you know, processing the whole thing and putting it together. So that for the rotation was actually very useful. And then I got to do a little bit more shadowing when I was doing the surgery internship as well, which kind of helped me solidify going into pathology.
Why do you think Black representation in pathology is important? Well, I think it's important for you know, representation in general, right, of everything, um, is important, and that, that, you know, is, rings true with, um, Black people in medicine, or African Americans in medicine, because I didn't know, I mean, I still think we're a unicorn, you know, it's like, when I go somewhere and I see another Black pathologist, I'm like, oh my god, you know, and it's funny because where I work now is actually quite a few of us, you know, and it's, it's nice to see that, um, But I think, you know, seeing people, seeing what's possible, right, in your life, in your career and, you know, dreaming of what you could become or what you could do and seeing, you know, the whole spectrum of individuals that could participate in that role is very important. And so I know I, you know, personally, for what I do as a pathologist, I work kind of behind the scenes so people don't really see me. The patients don't really see me. They see the report with my name attached to it. And I don't really know how many people actually look me up. but just being in that space and knowing that I am one, you know, and where black people in pathology in particular are so few in the country that it's nice to be able to go out and tell people, Oh, I'm a pathologist because it's, it's funny because people don't even know that pathologists are physicians sometimes, which is, can be a little frustrating, you know? But I think it's good to, you know, anything you want to become, you can be, you know, You're not limited to one particular type of... activity or type of profession or type of lifestyle. There's the full spectrum of things that can be available for everyone is available to everyone or should be available to everyone. So from that perspective, how does Black representation in pathology affect research and patient care?
For me, I guess it's a little easier for me because it's always sort of on my mind. I also did some studies in public health with health policy and just trying to sort of get some equitable, you know, care and outcomes for patients. And so that topic is sort of on my back of my mind. And it's, I think it's, you know, and it's not really just about me being Black person, I think it's being Black because I can associate a bit more and I can understand, you know, cultural differences or norms that, you know, might drive certain behaviors or interactions with physicians. So I'm better able to sort of maybe synthesize those things. But anybody who really cares enough, you know, and thinks about social disparities or health disparities or trying to have an equitable space, it's nice to be there because you can, you know, as I look at patient samples and whatnot, I can, you know, look at, happen to see, oh, you know, African-Americans tend to have this. I'm seeing this in them more in my patient, in my samples than, you know, I'm seeing for this other population. Why is that? You know, maybe we could study that and figure out, you know. it might not just be access it might be some biological issues i'm more of a biochemical scientist so that's sort of kind of what i think about but that helps um you know to to be to be in that space and to have that mindset where i'm looking i'm trying to give a diagnosis and you know help treat you know manage patient care but at the same time i'm also thinking about you know if i'm seeing something that seems unusual can i think about you know what what coming in front of me, are there any differences or anything? issues that are coming up that might lead to some disparities in health outcomes that we can you know then further the line try to make that better because in the end as physicians we all we want to improve the health and well-being of everyone. I think, you know, coming in with different backgrounds and perspectives and sort of keeping that open mind when you're looking at things and thinking about your community and, you know, how health impacts and what you can do to mitigate that is part of, you know, what I like about having the opportunity to be a Black person in medicine and doing research as well.
What advice would you give to black medical students or any medical students really, who aren't sure what they want to specialize in about considering pathology?
I would say, you know, totally keep an open mind, explore, ask questions. Don't feel like you can't, you know, talk to certain specialties or, you know, talk to someone in a particular field because you don't feel, just ask, you know, just be very open minded and ask, well, what do you do? Like, seriously, I really did not think if you had asked me in my school, in the beginning if i was going to be a pathologist i would have looked at you like are you crazy like i didn't you know i really didn't did that was really not on my radar at all um and yet here we are and if you ask me now knowing what i know i would totally do it again you know that's definitely what i would i would probably do again um so just be open-minded uh and know that you know especially if you go into a field where there's so few you know and orthopedics is even slimmer i think the number of African Americans in In that field, it's just that you matter. And it could be hard where you feel like you are, like you're representing everybody. Because sometimes I feel like that. Right. It's like, you know, I can't really give up because then it's like, but at the same time, you're your individual, you know, yes, you are Black, but I think you come first, you know, so you have to decide what you what makes you truly happy because that's when you excel.
That's all for today on the Path News Network Daily Edition. Thank you again to my guest, Dr. Rebecca O'Bain. You can find more on today's stories in the show notes and our member newsletters on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We're back tomorrow at 5 a.m. Eastern time. Thank you for listening. Have a great day.
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Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Reporting
Clinical lab data collection reporting starts May 1
Dr. Zhai: Advocacy that delivers results for pathology and laboratories
Pathologists advocate for value-based care
Preparing for PAMA Reporting Requirements
Tell Congress to pass the RESULTS Act and find a permanent solution.
Watch: Medicare Learning Network: Is My Lab an Applicable Lab?
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Transcription
Does your lab need to prepare for reporting payment and reimbursement updates? What you should know. And a conversation about Black representation in pathology. Coming up next. Welcome to Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. Today is Tuesday, February 17th. I'm Brittani Riddle. Congress just hit pause on planned Medicare cuts to lab test payments, pushing them to next year. The delay gives labs a little breathing room, but there's still work ahead. Certain labs will still need to report private payer rate data, which will determine future Medicare fees. To help you get ready, the CAP has rolled out a new resource. Click the link in the show notes for more. While the CAP has resources for your labs, we continue to advocate for long-term payment reform by urging Congress to pass the Results Act. CAP members can make their voices heard by using the CAP Action Alert Center to let Congress know it's time to pass the Results Act. Amid ongoing payment and policy changes, strong advocacy remains essential to shaping the future of pathology. In a recent message to members in advocacy news, CAP President Dr. Chi-Wei Jim Zhai highlighted key advocacy achievements and progress on behalf of the specialty. Dr. Zhai also encouraged members to take another step by registering for the 2026 House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit, an important opportunity to raise your voice and advocate for your patients and the specialty. We'll have ongoing coverage leading up. to HOD PLS. Finally, diversity in pathology helps advance the specialty. My guest today is Dr. Rebecca Obeng, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospital, discusses her journey in pathology. Dr. Obeng, thank you so much for joining me today. I want to start with your origin story, if you will. What made you... interested in medicine and what brought you to pathology?
So the wanting to be in medicine is very much like a cliche because when I was a kid, I used to play like I was a doctor with my friends and my sisters. That was the game. We were doctors, you know, all growing up. So I'd been fascinated with just learning about the human body, what it can do, how the organs all come together, you know, to function. I thought it was, I've always thought it was been pretty cool. So it's been something that I'd always wanted to be a part of. As far as pathology, that's a bit more complicated and windy. Instead of what I had thought I wanted to do all along was kind of like, maybe not. And I also actually thought pathology was quite boring and I didn't get it.
Oh, wow.
I totally did not get it. I remember pathology class and we had a session and the pathologist put up a histology slide and he was like, obviously this is this and that. And I'm like, what is this? It's just pink and purple. Right. So, you know, I didn't quite really, I guess, grab or get, you know, the impact of pathology and how interesting and exciting it was until I actually did start like, you know, my intern year or so, or actually fourth year med school. When I was trying to figure out what to do. And at that time, when I had come back from the PhD work, I had realized that I don't really want to. practice medicine sort of in that way in that traditional way um and i didn't really want to be a surgeon long term either so if i had done it i would have done you know probably five ten years didn't quit you know to do something else and so i you know it was like oh let's you know think more about pathology and so i did a rotation and i actually did enjoy it i loved the attendings i worked with they were very you know impactful and in sort of making that enjoyable and i realized you're looking at slides every day wasn't so bad i mean it still seemed like Thank you. It's a lot of slides to look at every day, but, you know, but I could appreciate it more at that time. And so pathology seemed like a more of a better fit. And so I was able to switch into pathology the next year. I went through the match again and got my first choice. And it's been fun ever since.
And it's been fun ever since. I'm curious, what changed?
Pretty much everything about pathology really isn't taught so much in med school. At least it's not. For most med school curriculums, it's not really a main rotation. It's not a required rotation for the clinical side. And so it's sort of, you have to kind of know about pathology. If for you to say you want to rotate, you know, do a clinical rotation in pathology, and most people would do that because they've had some exposure in the past. But I think maybe when I got to grad school and I kind of learned sort of the techniques that I was using and then realized that, oh, those are sort of the things that people do in laboratory medicine on a regular basis and, you know, apply that to patient. And that's how, like, you know, these tissue processes for tumor samples or tissue samples are made and the blood products and, you know, chemistry and things like that. It kind of started to make more sense. So when I did the rotation, it was sort of a general pathology rotation where they... have you see, you know, different aspects of it, which was really nice because you get to see the full breadth. It's a wide variety of things that you can do within pathology. So that really kind of, you know, the attendants were great. They seemed more laid back, you know, more relaxed. They had more time to think. And I really liked that, to process things and, you know, really kind of come up with what is really going on, not sort of working in the moment and going, okay, this symptom is happening. We need to, you know, figure out. how to stop this symptom in this moment, you know, as opposed to, you know, processing the whole thing and putting it together. So that for the rotation was actually very useful. And then I got to do a little bit more shadowing when I was doing the surgery internship as well, which kind of helped me solidify going into pathology.
Why do you think Black representation in pathology is important? Well, I think it's important for you know, representation in general, right, of everything, um, is important, and that, that, you know, is, rings true with, um, Black people in medicine, or African Americans in medicine, because I didn't know, I mean, I still think we're a unicorn, you know, it's like, when I go somewhere and I see another Black pathologist, I'm like, oh my god, you know, and it's funny because where I work now is actually quite a few of us, you know, and it's, it's nice to see that, um, But I think, you know, seeing people, seeing what's possible, right, in your life, in your career and, you know, dreaming of what you could become or what you could do and seeing, you know, the whole spectrum of individuals that could participate in that role is very important. And so I know I, you know, personally, for what I do as a pathologist, I work kind of behind the scenes so people don't really see me. The patients don't really see me. They see the report with my name attached to it. And I don't really know how many people actually look me up. but just being in that space and knowing that I am one, you know, and where black people in pathology in particular are so few in the country that it's nice to be able to go out and tell people, Oh, I'm a pathologist because it's, it's funny because people don't even know that pathologists are physicians sometimes, which is, can be a little frustrating, you know? But I think it's good to, you know, anything you want to become, you can be, you know, You're not limited to one particular type of... activity or type of profession or type of lifestyle. There's the full spectrum of things that can be available for everyone is available to everyone or should be available to everyone. So from that perspective, how does Black representation in pathology affect research and patient care?
For me, I guess it's a little easier for me because it's always sort of on my mind. I also did some studies in public health with health policy and just trying to sort of get some equitable, you know, care and outcomes for patients. And so that topic is sort of on my back of my mind. And it's, I think it's, you know, and it's not really just about me being Black person, I think it's being Black because I can associate a bit more and I can understand, you know, cultural differences or norms that, you know, might drive certain behaviors or interactions with physicians. So I'm better able to sort of maybe synthesize those things. But anybody who really cares enough, you know, and thinks about social disparities or health disparities or trying to have an equitable space, it's nice to be there because you can, you know, as I look at patient samples and whatnot, I can, you know, look at, happen to see, oh, you know, African-Americans tend to have this. I'm seeing this in them more in my patient, in my samples than, you know, I'm seeing for this other population. Why is that? You know, maybe we could study that and figure out, you know. it might not just be access it might be some biological issues i'm more of a biochemical scientist so that's sort of kind of what i think about but that helps um you know to to be to be in that space and to have that mindset where i'm looking i'm trying to give a diagnosis and you know help treat you know manage patient care but at the same time i'm also thinking about you know if i'm seeing something that seems unusual can i think about you know what what coming in front of me, are there any differences or anything? issues that are coming up that might lead to some disparities in health outcomes that we can you know then further the line try to make that better because in the end as physicians we all we want to improve the health and well-being of everyone. I think, you know, coming in with different backgrounds and perspectives and sort of keeping that open mind when you're looking at things and thinking about your community and, you know, how health impacts and what you can do to mitigate that is part of, you know, what I like about having the opportunity to be a Black person in medicine and doing research as well.
What advice would you give to black medical students or any medical students really, who aren't sure what they want to specialize in about considering pathology?
I would say, you know, totally keep an open mind, explore, ask questions. Don't feel like you can't, you know, talk to certain specialties or, you know, talk to someone in a particular field because you don't feel, just ask, you know, just be very open minded and ask, well, what do you do? Like, seriously, I really did not think if you had asked me in my school, in the beginning if i was going to be a pathologist i would have looked at you like are you crazy like i didn't you know i really didn't did that was really not on my radar at all um and yet here we are and if you ask me now knowing what i know i would totally do it again you know that's definitely what i would i would probably do again um so just be open-minded uh and know that you know especially if you go into a field where there's so few you know and orthopedics is even slimmer i think the number of African Americans in In that field, it's just that you matter. And it could be hard where you feel like you are, like you're representing everybody. Because sometimes I feel like that. Right. It's like, you know, I can't really give up because then it's like, but at the same time, you're your individual, you know, yes, you are Black, but I think you come first, you know, so you have to decide what you what makes you truly happy because that's when you excel.
That's all for today on the Path News Network Daily Edition. Thank you again to my guest, Dr. Rebecca O'Bain. You can find more on today's stories in the show notes and our member newsletters on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We're back tomorrow at 5 a.m. Eastern time. Thank you for listening. Have a great day.
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