News Release

Published on: September 19, 2005

The College of American Pathologists Honors Omaha Pathologist with Outstanding Communicator Award

Northfield, IL. —Gene N. Herbek, MD, FCAP, of Omaha, Neb., was honored for his efforts to both clarify and enhance the image of pathologists and the field of pathology during a ceremony held in Chicago on Sept. 11, 2005, at CAP ’05, the annual meeting of the College of American Pathologists.

Dr. Herbek received the William H. Kuehn, PhD., Outstanding Communicator Award for his efforts to raise public awareness about the role pathologists play in both determining the cause of illness and in the preventive health care available to patients.

Through the years, Dr. Herbek has conducted numerous interviews on pathology and health issues with both national and local media including the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Consumer Reports. He has championed many community-based hospital initiatives. In addition, as former chair of the Council on Membership and Public Affairs, as a CAP Board of Governor, and as Spokespersons Network member, Dr. Herbek has encouraged hundreds of pathologists to become better communicators.

"If our profession is to be understood and valued by our patients, clinicians, hospital administrators, legislators, and insurers, it is imperative that we tell them who we are and what we do for them," said Dr. Herbek. "I receive this award in recognition of all pathologists who are active, trained CAP spokespersons for our profession and the College."

Dr. Herbek is currently a pathologist at the Pathology Center at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Neb. Prior to that, he spent more than 25 years serving residents and the local medical community at St. Luke's Iowa Health System in Sioux City, Iowa. He was recognized for his outstanding efforts there with the St. Luke’s Physician Hero Award in 2004.

Dr. Herbek has been a featured speaker at the College's Spokespersons Network Training Program and has participated in numerous professional activities as a board member, advisor, and editor. He currently serves as section editor of Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and on the Nominating and Practice Management Committees and the Internet Editorial Board. He has also been vice chair of the Council on Scientific Affairs and the Facilities Planning Team; chair of the ad hoc committees on Tissue and Organ Procurement and Distribution, Strategic Relationships and Pathologists’ Assistants; and chair of the PAPS Coalition, in addition to numerous others CAP appointments.

Dr. Herbek's significant contributions to the field of pathology were also recognized in 1996 when he was awarded with the CAP Foundation Lansky Award. He was also the recipient of the President's Honors Award in 2001 and in 2004, and of a recognition award from the CAP Foundation.

Dr. Herbek received his Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and completed his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he also served his residency in both anatomic and clinical pathology. Dr. Herbek is board-certified in both anatomic and clinical pathology.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society that serves nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high quality and cost-effective patient care.