By Vrajesh Pandya, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
A dynamic session on Wednesday afternoon will address a critical challenge in modern healthcare: the disconnect between hospitals’ strategic leaders and laboratory professionals. Titled, “Enhancing engagement between laboratory medicine professionals and C-Suite executives,” it will include live discussions, recorded insights from healthcare executives, and an interactive Q&A. The session aims to highlight how stronger engagement between healthcare executives and laboratory professionals is essential for delivering high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered care.
“If you’ve ever felt left out of critical hospital decisions — especially ones that directly affect laboratory operations — you’re not alone. Too often, labs are excluded from the table, only to learn about major changes after the fact,” says Victoria Zhang, PhD, MBA, DABCC, FADLM, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and vice chair of clinical enterprise strategy at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “This session is for those who want to shift that dynamic and ensure laboratory medicine has a proactive and visible role in hospital strategy.”
Zhang, who is the organizer and moderator of the session, believes the time is ripe for change. “The COVID-19 pandemic elevated the visibility of laboratories like never before. Now is the ideal time to build on that momentum,” she says. Drawing from interviews with C-suite leaders from several institutions, the speakers will present actionable strategies for laboratory professionals to build stronger, more strategic relationships with hospital leadership.
Representing department-level leadership, Christa Whitney-Miller, MD, chair of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Rochester, emphasizes that laboratory medicine is not just a support function — it is a strategic asset. “Forward-thinking hospital executives understand the critical importance of the laboratory in achieving institutional goals and fostering excellence in healthcare delivery,” she says.
Whitney-Miller stresses that collaboration ensures laboratories are equipped with the necessary resources, technology, and support to meet the demands of modern medicine. She also highlights the session’s unique format as a major strength. “The subject is incredibly timely, and the format is both fresh and innovative,” she says. “Hearing insights from several executives across different health systems in a single session will be truly intriguing.”
From the executive suite, Kathy Parrinello, RN, PhD, CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center, offers her insights on the value of collaboration. “From a business value model and patient satisfaction perspective, it is imperative for lab leadership to closely work with hospital leaders,” she explains.
Parrinello points to outpatient services — specifically, diagnostic services, pharmacy, and imaging — as key areas where integrated planning can drive growth and improve patient experience. “The goal is to grow the business and bring these services under one umbrella at strategic locations that are easy to access for patients. This helps create loyalty through brand recognition and instills a sense of pride among patients and providers,” she says.
She will share a compelling example during the session: a multidimensional partnership between hospital executives and lab leaders that led to the creation of a centralized laboratory. This facility now serves non-urgent needs from hospitals and ambulatory clinics, improving turnaround times and operational efficiency.
With its diverse panel of voices and practical, solutions-oriented focus, the session promises to be a must-attend event for laboratory professionals and healthcare leaders alike.
