Lab Medicine Rounds

This episode marks the end of “Lab Medicine Rounds.” Host Justin Kreuter, M.D., reflects on the impact of the series and introduces an upcoming video-based project that will bring lab stories to life in powerful new ways.

In this episode of "Lab Medicine Rounds," we explore how to navigate the often-tricky terrain of giving and receiving feedback. Join the conversation as we unpack common pitfalls, reframe defensive reactions, and offer practical tools for fostering growth-minded, judgment-free dialogue. Whether you're leading a team or developing your own feedback skills, this episode offers thoughtful insights you can use right away.

On this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with Erinn Downs, D.O., professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus, on the topic of benign mimics of malignant breast pathology.

In this episode of Lab Medicine Rounds, Justin Kreuter, M.D., and Miglena Komforti, D.O., from Mayo Clinic as they discuss threshold diagnoses of the breast — those gray zones that challenge even seasoned professionals. Learn why they’re important, how to approach them, and what role technology might play in the future.

As we approach Lab Week, this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds” includes a compilation of interviews from previous episodes highlighting the pivotal role laboratory professionals play in healthcare. Featured interviews include Dr. Eric Hsi, Dr. Curt Hanson, and Jane Hermansen, all from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Discussion includes: · The importance of highlighting the laboratory presence in current medical practice. · How laboratory medicine is informing the future successes of the field. · Wishes for the future of laboratory medicine and pathology. Timestamps: 00:30: Interview w/Dr. Hsi · Why is it important to highlight the presence of the laboratory in current medical practice? · What would be your advice for clinicians who haven’t thought about the role the laboratory plays, and how to bring it more explicitly into their practice? · Where is the laboratory headed? · What do you think might be the biggest challenge in stepping forward into more of the clinical domain? 05:32: Interview w/Dr. Hanson · Why is it important in lab medicine to look at the past when planning for the future? · How do you see certain aspects of laboratory medicine informing the future successes of the field? · How do we as laboratory professionals, shift from being service-oriented to being colleagues/equals with other health care professionals? 07:45: Interview w/Jane Hermansen · What do you wish for the future of laboratory medicine and pathology?

On this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with senior associate dean of academic affairs for Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Joseph Maleszewski, M.D., on the future of basic sciences in medical education. Discussion includes: · Challenges of basic science in medical education. · Differing perspectives about basic science in medical education. · Ideas of exploration for the future.

On this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Just Kreuter, M.D., chats with Jennifer Boland Froemming, M.D., about creating the perfect rank list for training programs. Dr. Boland Froemming shares her insights and tips to help you make informed decisions. Discussion Includes: 00:36 How rank lists work. 03:45 What to consider when making a rank list. 06:20 Recommendations for individuals applying to training programs.

In this month's episode of Lab Medicine Rounds, Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with Monica Ibarra about the essential role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare and beyond. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:43 Why conversations about diversity are important 3:56 Common challenges that arise during discussions 6:11 Approaching conversations in different environments 11:17 Leaders navigating challenging DEI conversations 20:00 Diversity reflection questions to ask yourself

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with Kristen Ruby, D.O., M.P.H., to discuss National Blood Donor Month and the impact blood donors make. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Celebrating blood donors 03:43 Types of blood donors 11:16 Diversity of blood inventory 17:17 Thank you 19:22 Outro

In this episode of Lab Medicine Rounds, Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with education specialist Bob Jackson on the challenges and importance of being a lifelong learner. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Importance of lifelong learning 02:03 Challenges of lifelong learning 06:07 Adapting to change 10:58 Teaching and learning 13:39 Embracing uncertainty 17:00 Encouraging lifelong learning 24:00 New Year's resolutions

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with medical students on the importance of understanding healthcare systems, their experiences from a global surgery hackathon, and how maintaining curiosity and continuous learning can enhance their medical practice. Timestamps: 0:00 Introductions 0:49 Importance of Understanding Healthcare Systems 1:33 Fundamentals of Healthcare Systems 3:03 Complexity of Healthcare Systems 5:13 Selective vs Curriculum 6:08 Systems and Inequalities 7:18 Billing and Economics in Healthcare 8:17 Balancing Medical Training and System Knowledge 9:01 Curiosity and Continuous Learning 10:02 Learning Opportunities 13:02 Slowing Down in Critical Phases 16:41 Revising Healthcare Systems 18:02 Capturing Learning 22:03 Maintaining Curiosity 24:01 Advice for Developing Skills in Healthcare Systems

In this episode of Lab Medicine Rounds, Justin Kreuter, M.D., speaks with career educator Elissa Hall, Ed.D., on the integration and impact of artificial intelligence in graduate medical education, exploring strategies for teaching AI, the importance of critical thinking, and the ethical considerations involved. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 01:07 Graduate medical education and artificial intelligence 03:20 How to use AI to develop physician skills. 05:00 Educational strategies for training in AI? 08:21 Training with AI look 12:22 How to be a critical thinker 14:24 Assessment with AI education 17:40 How to use AI in clinical practice 21:25 Outro

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews John Sherbeck, M.D., Laboratory Medical Director of Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, about how to plan your time at medical conferences. He also briefly discusses this year’s takeaways from AABB’s national conference. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 00:45 Why are medical conferences important to attend? 03:10 Engaging in debate 05:11 Prepping your team to present at a national conference 06:40 Take aways from the AABB annual meeting? 09:57 When you attend a conference, how do you go about planning out your time? 12:57 How do you approach networking? 15:05 What is your current practice for approaching vendors? 17:18 How do you capture your conference learning? 19:50 Outro

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Timothy Long, M.D., about the importance of asking good questions in healthcare settings, such as when you’re with patients, as an educator, or at a conference or presentation. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:58 Developing the skill of asking good questions 06:37 Characteristics of effective questions 11:45 Effectively using questioning techniques as an educator 15:33 Considerations for asking questions in large group settings

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Reade Quinton, M.D., an associate professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and anatomic pathologist at Mayo Clinic, to discuss interview tips for future pathology residents. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:45 Interviewer assessment 7:07 Communication style & personality 10:25 Asking questions to help with rank lists 17:45 Follow-up after interview 22:09 Outro

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Shannon Strader, D.O., a resident in cellular therapy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to discuss trailblazing new connections in medicine. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 00:56 Can you share your story with our listeners of how you connected the dots between physical medicine and rehab (PM&R) and cellular therapy? 04:54 What’s been those challenges and joys of working in the lab medicine world now? 08:38 You’re talking about your creativity, is that something that you’ve been able to tap into throughout your life during PM&R training, etc.? 10:24 What’s been your experience for the level of knowledge of cellular therapy in the physical medicine and rehab world? Is this something that people are aware of? 13:35 In what ways can laboratory professionals reach out and relationships with clinical colleagues? 15:31 What does the future of PM&R look like with cellular therapies in the toolbox? 17:13 Outro

In this episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Ewa Wysokinska, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and consultant in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Florida, to talk about clinical updates in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

In this month’s episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Jessica Stellmaker on creating a culture of continuous improvement using Kaizen events. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 00:40 What is a kaizen event? 04:01 Kaizen week 06:28 Create a culture of continuous improvement 09:54 Resources 11:31 Fail point 13:15 Impacts on laboratory functions 17:02 Outro Resources: Continuous Improvement: Kaizen Events - Insights (mayocliniclabs.com) For additional learning:

In this month’s episode of “Lab Medicine Rounds,” Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Isabella Holmes, D.O., a PGY-3 resident and assistant co-chief pathology resident at the University of Michigan, to discuss her reflections on residency. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 01:20 Reflections on past year 02:45 Being comfortable as a resident 05:00 Taking on leadership roles 07:51 Identifying what to focus on 11:06 Becoming better mentors 13:01 Being respectfully direct 14:17 New academic year 16:06 Balancing work and personal well-being 17:26 Outro

In this month’s episode of Lab Medicine Rounds, Justin Kreuter, M.D., interviews Nidhi Kataria, M.B.B.S., and Thane Kubik, M.D., M.S., for a deep dive into optimizing the residency experience.