Amplifying Others’ Voices to Improve Patient Care: A Q&A with Katerina Kearns, MD

Katerina Kearns, MD, is a Gynecologic Pathology Fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital and serves as a Resident Council Member with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).   

In June 2025, the American Medical Association (AMA) confirmed Dr. Kearns as the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Alternate Delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD). In this new additional leadership role, Dr. Kearns will represent trainees and residents in national policy discussions, advancing their perspectives and shaping the future of healthcare. 

Here, Dr. Kearns discusses her leadership style, her commitment to better patient care through interdisciplinary collaboration, and how she is strengthening the voice of the medical laboratory in broader medical conversations.*  

Critical Values (CV): What healthcare policy issues are most pressing for pathology and laboratory medicine today?  

Katerina Kearns (KK): First and foremost, we need to address our workforce shortage and protect funding for pathology and laboratory medicine education. Pathology needs to be fairly represented in healthcare policy decisions, because those decisions directly impact laboratories and patients, especially as we expand into imaging diagnostic services and increased integration of AI and molecular technology.  

CV: How has your fellowship training at Johns Hopkins shaped your approach to leadership and advocacy? 

KK: There’s a strong culture of mentorship and curiosity at Johns Hopkins. I’m surrounded by big names and leaders in our field. It was intimidating at first, but now it’s inspiring; you feel like the better version of yourself. I see how they push boundaries and advocate for our specialty. Advocacy is viewed as part of being a good physician, not something separate, because it translates into better patient care.   

CV: Can you share what motivated you to take on leadership roles within ASCP and now at the AMA?  

KK: When I was in residency, I learned that leadership starts with service. Through ASCP, I saw the impact pathology has across all of medicine. Joining the AMA felt like the natural next step to bring pathology to a national stage and advocate for residents and fellows on a broader scale.  

CV: What does this election to the AMA House of Delegates mean to you personally and professionally?  

KK: Personally, it means a lot to have the chance to bring the voices of pathology residents and fellows to a national stage. We’re often behind the scenes, but the decisions made at the AMA affect pathology day-to-day and ultimately how we provide patient care. It’s important for us to be visible and heard.  

CV: How do you see your role as AMA Resident Fellow Section (RFS) Alternate Delegate complementing your work on the ASCP Resident Council?  

KK: The two roles together strengthen each other. ASCP builds the foundation (professional development, education, and the pathology community), and the AMA offers the platform to shape policy and patient care - how we translate our experience into national advocacy.  

CV: How do you plan to represent the interests of residents and fellows in national policy discussions?  

KK: First, I plan to listen to and learn what challenges residents and fellows are facing today. I will make sure I gather all perspectives to share in policy discussions. I also plan to participate in drafting resolutions to submit to RFS [editor: Resident and Fellow Section] for review, and possibly to the House of Delegates in the future. That’s a powerful way for trainees to help shape policy.   

CV: What unique perspectives do pathology trainees bring to the AMA’s conversations on healthcare policy?  

KK: Trainees, residents, and fellows offer a system-level view of pathology. We understand the diagnostic process, and where we stand on patient safety. I gather all these perspectives together. Those perspectives and bringing attention to some changes that need to be made, are essential to shaping policies that will affect patient care.    

CV: What opportunities do you see for collaboration between pathology and other specialties within the AMA?  

KK: There is huge potential for collaboration on safety, diagnostic accuracy, and precision medicine. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we can improve policies, practices, and patient outcomes.   

CV: In your view, how can pathology’s visibility be elevated within the wider medical community?  

KK: Speak up and remind the medical community that no patient gets treated without our input. Pathology is integral to medicine. By telling our stories, we can show that we are the cornerstone to proper management and patient care.  

CV: What advice would you give to other residents and fellows who want to get involved in organized medicine and policy leadership?  

KK: Don’t wait for permission or for the "right time". Join committees. Attend meetings. Connect with mentors and others who are already on committees. Don’t be shy about introducing yourself to others. You’ll be surprised by how welcoming people are, especially the pathologists. Getting involved in the larger medical community is really important. Listen carefully, bring your voice, and make it heard. And you will quickly make a difference. 

*This interview has been edited for clarity and length.