Magnifying the Power of Pathologists

Robert Johnson:

Magnifying the power of pathologists. Members of the College of American Pathologists plan an April visit to Washington DC.

Pathologists have an opportunity in April to make their voice heard on key policy issues under consideration in Congress. That's when the College of American Pathologists will host its annual House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit. The agenda includes important discussions, training, and a visit to Capitol Hill. The meeting is planned for April 26th through the 29th. Recently, CAP President Dr. Donald Karcher discussed the upcoming summit in a conversation recorded in his office at George Washington University about three miles from the House and Senate.

Dr. Donald Karcher:

So the PLS, Pathologists Leadership Summit, is one of our national meetings. It's here in Washington DC and April happens to be a beautiful time to be in Washington. But besides that, it's really important, I think, for pathologists to consider attending this meeting. It's an opportunity to learn about the issues that are really important to our profession that ultimately impact our patients. Attendees will learn a good bit about those issues. We'll actually learn some leadership skills that they might not otherwise have had an opportunity to master. We'll hear from some of the movers and shakers here in Washington, from policy makers to members of Congress to political analysts, even news media types. We often have those types of speakers that will join part of the conference. Then with a lot of preparation of attendees, we have an opportunity to go to Capitol Hill and advocate for the things that we need as pathologists, that we need as laboratorians ultimately to give the best possible care for our patients. Only by going to the actual policymakers do they really hear firsthand what we need. No one can tell our story and can relate what we need better than us. And being able to go directly to the policymakers and make the case for the things we need is a very powerful thing for our profession and ultimately for our patients.

Robert Johnson:

And when you go to Capitol Hill, you want a strong showing. So talk a little bit about why it's important for pathologists and patients to have as many members there as possible.

Dr. Donald Karcher:

So the message of course, needs to be very clear, but the more people that are sending that message to members of Congress, the better. It's wonderful if 10 pathologists go to Capitol Hill and meet with relevant members of Congress and their staffs, it's way better if two or 300 pathologists are doing the same thing and preferably on the same day. There is power in numbers. And so when we have literally a few hundred pathologists going to Capitol Hill, that sends a very strong message that the things that we need are widely needed and that members can meet with their own legislators and legislators listen to their voters. And so those pathologists from those districts, they are constituents and members of Congress will listen very closely to what they have to say.

Robert Johnson:

Speaking of what a pathologist has to say, sometimes delivering that message can be intimidating for anybody no matter what you do for a living, especially when you're talking about going up to the hill. Do you remember the first time that you went to Capitol Hill? Were you intimidated? Did you feel a little nervous? Maybe some butterflies? Explain that first time. Tell us when it was, what it was like.

Dr. Donald Karcher:

So it was about 20 years ago, and yes, I felt intimidated. Everyone feels intimidated when you first do this. When you think about Capitol Hill and Congress and you are actually walking into the office buildings or even into the Capitol building itself, it can be a bit intimidating. I can still remember that very first day. I was luckily with some people who were more experienced and we had an opportunity to meet with multiple members of Congress and their staff members. And it's very important to remember that staff members are a very important part of receiving our message. In the course of that time when you're on Capitol Hill, you're actually seeing democracy in action. This is the way our democracy was intended to work. The voters, the constituents, talking to their lawmakers. In the course of the day, we encountered people from the lumbering industry. We encountered people from the wholesale hardware industry and other medical groups all at the same time. And you're actually seeing how the laws and the policies of this country are made by people bringing their message to their lawmakers. At the end of that day, not only was I no longer intimidated, I was ecstatic. It was truly one of the most enjoyable experiences in my professional career since that day, 20 years ago, I don't believe missed a single year of going to Capitol Hill to advocate for pathology and for the things that we need. And I still get a little chill of excitement to this day every time I do it. It's a wonderful experience and you will learn to no longer be intimidated by that experience.

Robert Johnson:

Sounds a little bit like practice makes perfect.

Dr. Donald Karcher:

Absolutely. You will become very good at sending that message and giving it to the lawmakers and their staffs in a very concise way. You'll also have an opportunity to meet some wonderful people, by the way. And it, it's a wonderful opportunity to meet the people who are making the laws of our country. And if possible, it's also wonderful to develop a long-term relationship with some of those members of Congress. I've had the great honor of having a long-term relationship with some members of Congress, some of which were in a leadership position, and that has been a wonderful experience and I believe has helped us send that message in a very powerful way.

Robert Johnson:

And do you feel a sense of ownership? I assume when things start to move on the hill that maybe you had something to do with it if you were there in April?

Dr. Donald Karcher:

Yeah, it's a very satisfying feeling, of course, when you see that the message that you carried was actually received positively and that things happen as a result of sending that message. Now, it doesn't always work out that well, we don't win every battle. But yes, to go to your point, it's really wonderful when you see that your message is resulting in some positive action and some good things for our profession and for our patients.

Robert Johnson:

So coming back to our final question, then wrap this up for us, why is it important for pathologists to make time to be here in April?

Dr. Donald Karcher:

Well, as I said before, only we can tell our story. No one better than us can make it very clear why we need the things that we need and why that's important for our profession and for our patients. I believe it's important for a pathologist to participate in this activity. In a way it's almost good citizenship as a pathologist to do this, but it's also enjoyable. There's an opportunity to network with many other pathologists and also learn some leadership skills that otherwise people might not be able to master. So I think there's a lot of reasons to make this an important activity for a pathologist.

Robert Johnson:

You can sign up to attend the CAP House of Delegates and Pathologists Leadership Summit using the link in the show notes for the College of American Pathologists. This is Robert Johnson. Have a great day.