College Of American Pathologists Encourages Leadership Among Young Doctors

Contact: Aaron Osborne
Phone: 847-832-7030
E-mail: MEDIA@CAP.ORG

Northfield, IL—The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest association of board-certified pathologists, awarded eight young pathologists with the CAP Foundation Leadership Development Award for showing great promise as the physicians that diagnose and study disease.

The award provides a stipend so that these doctors may attend pathology meetings, immerse themselves in the issues affecting the specialty and its patients, and become leaders of their field. The winners accepted their awards at a ceremony during CAP16: The Pathologists’ Meeting in Las Vegas, September 24–28.

Awardees Include

Jordan E. Baum, MD: Received her medical degree at the Indiana University School of Medicine before becoming a chief resident in anatomic and clinical pathology at New York Presbyterian Hospital at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Baum has been a CAP Junior Member since 2014 and is receiving this award based on her interest in health care policy and her desire to lead through advocacy. She said, "I would like to achieve not only my goal to become more attuned to the complex politics of health care, but also to continue to foster my social and professional relationships with other members of the CAP at the Residents Forum meeting and bring the valuable information to my resident colleagues."

David A. Cohen, MD: Attended the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and is currently in an anatomic and clinical pathology residency at Houston Methodist Hospital. Dr. Cohen serves on the CAP Graduate Medical Education Committee and the Residents Forum Executive Committee, and is also a section editor with the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine journal. "As residents, we are shielded from some of the pressing issues facing pathologists at a national level," he said. "However, looking forward to the future, I want to be a prepared practicing pathologist adept at advocating these issues."

Benjamin Cook, MD: Received his medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and is currently a pathology resident at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington. Dr. Cook was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal for his service abroad. He desires to use his military and leadership experience to educate his peers. "As a military pathologist, I am expected to take a position of leadership within the laboratory directly following residency," Dr. Cook said. He added, "Military life can have unusual stressors, so making sure we are performing at our best to keep our population healthy is an example of how we as a laboratory can impact our community."

Daniel S. Herman, MD, PhD: After receiving his medical degree and doctorate of philosophy in genetics from Harvard University, Dr. Herman is currently a resident in clinical pathology at the University of Washington and an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He plans to learn more about the detailed regulation process and engage in further health care advocacy projects. "I am excited to be a part of the process and hopeful that together we can build a better health care system," Dr. Herman said. "It is only through concerted action that our voices will be heard and our specialty will remain strong."

Andrea Pervine-Zaman Ho, MD: Received her medical degree from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and is a third-year resident at the Truman Medical Center of the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Dr. Ho plans to attend meetings to gain a greater understanding of the research being done by her peers and coordinate for better patient care. She said, "I am very experienced with taking on widespread responsibilities, and I seek to assume greater challenges as I advance in seniority."

Sarmad Hassan Jassim, MD: After receiving his medical degree from the College of Medicine of Al-Nahrain University in Baghdad, Dr. Jassim is currently a resident at MetroHealth Medical Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Describing his desire to be a leader for the betterment of pathology, Dr. Jassim said, "Leadership goes beyond excellent diagnostic skills—it improves patient care through managing resources; planning and organizing to improve communication bridges between patients, clinicians, surgeons, and pathologists; and seeking new technologies and process improvements to advance patient diagnosis and management quality."

Rebecca C. Obeng, MD, PhD, MPH: Completed a medical degree and doctorate of philosophy in immunology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, as well as a master’s degree in public health at Harvard University. Dr. Obeng is currently a resident at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. She plans on becoming more involved in leadership and advocacy roles within and outside her health organization. Speaking on the current system, Dr. Obeng said, "The entity that creates and implements policies, rules, and regulations for practicing pathology needs to include pathologists whose profession is directed and dictated by those regulations and policies."

Amy Thommasen, MD: Received a medical degree from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and is now a chief resident at the University of Calgary. Dr. Thommasen wants to develop her leadership skills and work to improve focus on different laboratory specialties in medical education. She said, "I hope to learn more about how resident education is implemented across the country, including strengths and challenges, so that I can bring back ideas to improve my program in my role as chief resident."

About the College of American Pathologists

As the leading organization for board-certified pathologists, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. With 18,000 physician members, the CAP has led laboratory accreditation for more than 50 years with more than 7,900 CAP-accredited laboratories in 50 countries. Find more information about the CAP at CAP.ORG. Follow CAP on Twitter at @PATHOLOGISTS.