Lauren McVoy, MD, PhD

I am a clinical pathologist with additional board certification in medical microbiology. As a clinical pathologist, my areas of expertise include laboratory hematology, coagulation, and microbiology. I am particularly interested in applying new technologies in the microbiology laboratory. New approaches, such as Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight, and molecular methods like next-generation sequencing can shorten the time it takes to get test results. They can also provide more accurate organism identification and more effectively guide treatment decisions.

Clinical microbiology has been undergoing a technological revolution over the past five to 10 years, and it is exciting to see advances such as automation that help streamline workflows. I am fortunate to be involved in implementing these new technologies and will continue to look for novel approaches for diagnosing infections and providing meaningful antimicrobial susceptibility results.

An important aspect of my career is teaching. I value passing on my knowledge and experience to all levels of trainees from medical technologists to medical students, residents, and fellows. I find that I often learn from teaching activities whether it is through questions posed by trainees or by updating my knowledge on a topic.

As Vice Chair for Clinical Integration in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, one of my primary roles is to work with the clinical services as part of the multidisciplinary diagnostic management teams to provide expertise in laboratory testing. In this role, I work with clinicians throughout the institution to improve laboratory diagnostic algorithms, discuss performance characteristics of different tests, and understand the priorities of testing for patient care in different settings and clinical scenarios. Through these activities in clinical care, laboratory innovation, and teaching, I support the mission of Memorial Sloan Kettering and strive to advance the field of laboratory medicine.