3 Questions with Jamie Everett, MD, FASCP

Jamie Everett, MD, FASCP, was first introduced to the medical laboratory, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) in childhood. Her mother, Barbara, was a medical technologist (now known as medical laboratory scientist) in the microbiology lab of a large hospital, and the love for her work was obvious. Dr. Everett recalls how proud she was to see her mom and her colleagues recognized during Lab Week—an event sponsored by ASCP. They worked incredibly hard, and Dr. Everett could see how much it meant to see them celebrated. “Of course, as a kid, I was also thrilled to snag a keychain or a treat from their festivities—small moments that left a big impression on me,” Dr. Everett says.  

That early exposure stayed with her, and when she eventually started her own career as a pathologist, she had a firmly rooted and deep respect for the people behind the lab bench and the organizations that champion their work. “ASCP stood out not just for celebrating the profession,” Dr. Everett says “but for its broader commitment to certification, advocacy, education, and inclusion. I knew then that this was an organization I wanted to support throughout my career.”   

What aspects of pathology and laboratory medicine do you find most intriguing and fulfilling? 

At my core, I’m an investigator. I’ve always had a drive to ask questions, to dig deeper, and to seek clarity where others might stop at surface-level answers. That curiosity isn't just a personality trait—it’s a lens through which I view the world.  

As a pathologist, I get to live out that investigative instinct every day—only now, it’s on behalf of patients who are waiting for answers that truly matter. There’s something deeply fulfilling about being the person behind the scenes, putting the puzzle pieces together so others can make informed, potentially life-changing healthcare decisions.  

It’s the perfect alignment of who I am and what I believe in: using science, precision, and critical thinking to serve real human needs. It’s both intellectually satisfying and emotionally meaningful—and I couldn’t ask for more from a career.  

What steps do you take to maintain a strong sense of purpose and connection to the human side of healthcare?  

For me, pathology has never been about just the microscope or the data—it’s always been about the people behind the slides. I carry a deep sense of duty to every patient whose sample I interpret. Even though I may never meet them, I remind myself—and my trainees—that this work holds real weight in someone’s life. I often say, ‘This is someone’s family member,’ when pointing to a slide, to ground us in the profound responsibility we carry.  

That mindset shapes everything I do: from the urgency with which I work, to the clarity of my communication, to the teamwork I foster when something isn’t straightforward. We owe it to our patients to be accurate, efficient, and collaborative—because what we do will directly influence decisions made on their behalf. Keeping that human connection front and center is what gives my work meaning and keeps me grounded in purpose.  

Can you share a specific experience or moment that solidified your decision to choose a career in the laboratory?     

The moment that crystallized my path came during my second year of medical school, when we began our pathology block. Up until that point, I had carried around these persistent questions of 'What’s the diagnosis?' and 'How do we know?' and suddenly, I found a field that was built around answering exactly that.  

There was a sense of intellectual fulfillment that I hadn’t experienced before. For the first time, my curiosity had a clear direction, a purpose. Pathology gave me a way to turn my need to understand into something that could directly impact patient care. That realization—that I could combine rigorous inquiry with meaningful service—was powerful. I knew then that I had found not just a specialty, but a calling.  

How did you first get involved with ASCP? What (or perhaps who) pushed you to become a volunteer? 

ASCP has offered me incredible opportunities—to help others, to teach, to lead, and to be part of a community that believes in service and science. It’s been especially meaningful to see my own students engage in outreach efforts through ASCP. It feels like coming full circle—and it’s a joy to be part of something that continues to inspire the next generation.