Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons Learned

Patel, Robin; Hoppman, Nicole Lynn; Gosse, Cindy M.; Hagen-Moe, Deborah J.; Dunemann, Susan K.; Kreuter, Justin D.; Preuss, Sharon A.; Winters, Jeffrey L.; Sturgis, Charles D.; Maleszewski, Joseph J.; Solanki, Malvika H.; Pritt, Bobbi S.; Rivera, Michael; Mairose, Ann M.; Nelsen, Michelle A.; Hansing, Kara L.; Lehman, Susan M.; Gruhlke, Randy C.; Boland, Jennifer M.

The rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic demanded immediate organizational pivots in departments of laboratory medicine and pathology, including development and implementation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 diagnostics in the face of unprecedented supply chain shortages. Laboratory medicine and pathology educational programs were affected in numerous ways. Here, we overview the effects of COVID-19 on the large, academic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology educational practice at Mayo Clinic, highlighting lessons learned for the post-pandemic era and planning for the possibility of a future pandemic.