September 4, 2026
Transcript
Nick Lanyi
Two first-time attendees at last year's annual meeting explain why it was worthwhile. And a new proficiency test focuses on a troublesome fungus. These stories and more coming up next. This is Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. I'm Nick Lanyi. It's Friday, September 4th. We're a month out from CAP 26 in Las Vegas, October 3rd through the 6th. We've told you a lot about the events, trainings, and awards, but it's also about early career pathologists becoming part of the community. Dr. Becca Crowther, a pathology resident at Washington University Medicine in St. Louis, attended her first CAP annual meeting last fall.
Dr. Becca Crowther
I think as a resident, it's really easy to get kind of like bogged down in your day-to-day life at your institution. But getting the opportunity to go to the CAP annual meeting and the Residents Forum introduces you to a bunch of new people from around the country and sometimes around the world.
Nick Lanyi
CAP25 was also the first for Dr. Dara Udofia, a pathology resident at University of New Mexico and a member of the CAP Residence Forum Executive Committee.
Dr. Dara Udofia
I learned so much, I met so many people. And the good part is that you don't have to be like an extrovert. I’m an extreme introvert and just being there was you know, everyone is just willing to open up and you might find yourself just opening up because the atmosphere is just like, you know, very positive and everyone is just like so eager to help you and, you know, know your story.
Dr. Becca Crowther
 You get to meet all of these great new friends, and now I know people everywhere, and not just residents. I met, you know, attendings that work in academia and private practice and I feel like I've had the opportunity to expand my network in such a way that it's really evolved my training because I feel like now I have the ability to learn not just from my own residency program, but from all the people that I've had the opportunity to meet through the CAP and that started at the annual meeting. I wouldn't have had these opportunities if I hadn't gone.
Dr. Dara Udofia
You know, I absolutely would encourage any residents. It's totally amazing. You will never regret it.
Nick Lanyi
We've been highlighting the CAP's new proficiency test programs now available for order for 2027 delivery. Today we focus on a new program for a new problem.
Dr. Daniel Rhoads
Candida auris is a fungus, it's a yeast, and it's only really been recognized as a human pathogen for about a decade. So it has unfortunately rapidly spread globally over the past decade. And in addition to being new, it's also recognized that it's often resistant to commonly used antifungals. So it's spread, it has spread quickly, it can spread pretty easily, it can colonize individuals and not cause disease, and it can be multidrug resistant.
Nick Lanyi
That's Dr. Daniel Rhoads, a clinical pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic. He explained why the CAP Microbiology Committee, which he chairs, decided to launch the Candida auris Screen Proficiency Test Program now.
Dr. Daniel Rhoads
As more and more places see this, as more and more places are uh screening and or encountering this organism in diagnostic testing, um the need for this uh proficiency testing is increasing. And so now's just the right time, we feel like to provide this uh as as a as a proficiency testing offering. The route we went is to have it be its own its own proficiency test survey so that labs that don't want Candida auris because they haven't seen it yet, uh don't have to see it. And places that are routinely encountering it or are actively screening for it or just want to make sure they can find it uh when it does emerge locally, they can specifically request this offering and receive the samples.
Nick Lanyi
And finally, the Path News Network will be off for Labor Day. This end of summer holiday is a welcome reset for many, including pathologists and lab professionals who experience symptoms of burnout throughout their careers. On Thursday, September 10th, we'll explore how the field is embracing a more holistic approach to wellness, especially among earlier career professionals. The special edition will also include resources that can help ease the burden. Enjoy the holiday weekend. Check the show notes for more information on today's stories. And if you've got a story for us, write to us at stories @cap.org. We'll be back Tuesday at 5 a.m. Eastern for another episode of the Daily Edition. I'm Nick Lanyi. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.