In a Changing Field, Cheryl Germain Sees Opportunity—and Students Ready to Lead

For program director and ASCP board member Cheryl Germain, MHS, MASCP, PA(ASCP)^CM, it’s hard to top the sight of her students at their white coat ceremonies. 

“It’s my favorite event because I can see a visible change in their posture when we put that white coat on them,” Ms. Germain says. “They hold themselves differently, they speak differently. And then in the second year when they come back for their monthly exam when they are in clinical rotations, they have a totally different outlook. They're turning into real professionals. They speak the language of pathology and medicine without realizing it.” 

Although she’s focused on education now, Ms. Germain has worn many hats as a pathologists’ assistant (PA) including working in clinical labs, training residents and PA students, launching new PA programs and curriculums, and mentoring students. She is grateful to be working as an educator because she gets to watch students grow through the program, become confident as professionals and successful in their fields. 
 
Ms. Germain has developed and directed three pathologists’ assistant (PA) programs, including the West Virginia University School of Medicine, the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and the new University of Jamestown-Phoenix programs and has been involved with accreditation activities with NAACLS, the accrediting agency for clinical laboratory science educational programs.  

Guiding the next generation of diagnostic innovators 
At the new University of Jamestown Health Sciences and Graduate Center in Phoenix, where Ms. Germain works currently, multiple niche programs will be opening.  

“Creating new programs brings new workers into the profession,” she says. “There are great opportunities for people in the lab sciences—steady jobs and good income. Recruiting needs to occur at the high school and undergraduate levels, but that takes time and is difficult with a shortage of staff.” 

Ms. Germain finds opening these new programs to be rewarding but acknowledges challenges. Due to lab staffing shortages, it can be hard to find labs willing to take on students for clinical rotations.  

“I can’t tell you how many pathologists I've worked with only reluctantly took on students but now won’t work without them. Hosting students for clinical rotations increases a lab’s pool of potential employees and helps evaluate if a student is a good culture fit and a good work ethic,” Ms. Germain says.  

Ms. Germain is excited about the future laboratory science students have before them.  She says programs and program directors need to keep up with the coming changes and trends, but opportunities for innovation are numerous. She thinks corporate sponsorship as a means of funding may become necessary, and this can help create a pool of well-educated laboratory employees for industry partners.   

Developments in molecular diagnostics, liquid biopsies, cancer biomarkers, pharmacogenetic treatments, and advances in surgery and radiology give pathology professionals an opportunity to be involved with improved diagnosis at earlier stages. With earlier diagnosis comes more effective, less toxic treatments, according to Ms. Germain. Graduates of laboratory science programs will be instrumental in advancing these new diagnostics, and Ms. Germain is hopeful about the difference their efforts will make. 

“Students inspire me constantly,” Ms. Germain says. “They're curious. They want to grow and learn. They want to be good at their jobs, and their trust in me certainly drives me to be better myself. I'm certainly excited about and hopeful for the future.”