Episode 190: Dr Emily Volk – Bringing Pathologist Leadership and Patient Advocacy to the Forefront
My guest today is Pathologist Dr Emily Volk.
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Mentorship played a significant role in her career, guiding her decisions and shaping her path.
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Dr. Volk became involved with the College of American Pathologists (CAP) through a mentor, who encouraged her to join the cytopathology committee.
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Dr. Volk was elected to the CAP Board of Governors and later became the president, serving during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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.
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She emphasizes the importance of pathologists as advocates for patients and the need to communicate effectively about pathology reports.
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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.
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She discusses the concept of “first do no harm” in leadership, advocating for thoughtful responses rather than rushing to action.
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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.
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She addresses concerns about a study linking tattoos to lymphoma, highlighting the difference between association and causation in medical research.
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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:
Dr Emily Volk on Instagram
College of American Pathologists
Council on Informatics and Pathology Innovation
People of Pathology Podcast:
