About Critical Values

Critical Values is the go-to resource for the entire laboratory team, providing insight and information on the latest research, information, and issues within pathology and laboratory medicine. The print and online magazine invites submissions on topics including, but not limited to, advocacy, education, technology, global health, workforce, workplace best practices, and leadership.

Questions? Comments? Email us at criticalvalues@ascp.org.


Critical Values Staff

Molly Strzelecki  Editor 

Martin Tyminski  Creative Director  

Jennifer Brinson  Art Direction and Design 

Our Recent Articles

Anne Walsh-Feeks, MS, MASCP, PA(ASCP)CM, FACHE

Sep 9, 2026, 23:01 PM by Team Critical Values
Anne Walsh-Feeks, MS, MASCP, PA(ASCP)CM, FACHE serves as assistant dean and chief operating officer of ambulatory operations at Stony Brook Medicine in New York State. Ms. Walsh-Feeks is also a member of the Laboratory Medicine Editorial Board, with a focus on pathologists’ assistant content, and serves as chair for the ASCP Foundation Board of Trustees.

Here, Ms. Walsh-Feeks talks with Critical Values about her unexpected path to a career in pathology and laboratory medicine, what cured her fear of public speaking, and the moment she was “hooked” by a career in the laboratory.

What drew you to a career in pathology and laboratory medicine? Have you had any mentors who have impacted your career?

I graduated college with a biology degree and was thinking about graduate school. My sister saw an advertisement in The New York Times for a pathologists' assistant training program. I applied and was accepted. Within a week I started the program at Kings County Hospital/Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. So, it was a total fluke that I joined the pathology community!

Dr. Terese DiMaio was my program director for the pathologists’ assistant training program. We were a small group of students, and we spent hours each day with her. Dr. DiMaio’s passion for pathology and her enthusiasm for teaching were so evident. I knew on day one of my training program—when I observed an autopsy and was fascinated—that I was hooked! 

How did you first get involved with ASCP? 

I was on the board of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA), and we were approached by ASCP regarding possible certification through the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP BOC). Fast forward, the AAPA decided to move ahead, I was immediately assigned to ASCP BOC’s Pathologists' Assistant Exam Committee and later became a member of ASCP’s Commission on Science, Technology, and Public Policy. 

What are some of the lessons you've learned through the different leadership or volunteer roles you’ve taken on, in or out of ASCP? 

I have been fortunate to have had many different roles with ASCP. I learned how to effectively run a committee, balancing the need for time management with the ability to let all express their ideas. I have also become an effective public speaker due to the many opportunities to speak at ASCP events. Of note, public speaking was one of my greatest fears, and I totally credit ASCP with curing this!