Advancing Quality and Stewardship Across Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

As we look back on fiscal year 2025, it’s exciting to reflect on the productivity of our Quality Improvement and Laboratory Stewardship programs. Both initiatives have been instrumental in driving enhancements in patient care, operational efficiency, and building upon our culture of continuous improvement across the department. 

Quality Improvement Updates

As we continue to seek opportunities to drive improvements for our patients and UCLA Health through interdepartmental collaborations, our Quality Improvement (QI) Program stands at the forefront of driving impactful, sustainable change. Over the past year, we have not only expanded our QI efforts, but also fostered critical interdisciplinary collaborations that transcend departmental silos and enhance our ability to deliver superior patient care and operational excellence.

At the heart of this progress are our faculty, staff, and trainees, who provide essential leadership and support for the program’s infrastructure and lead QI projects to improve patient care and operations. The department’s QI initiatives are guided by three committees, each with distinct goals and strategic plans. One of these, the Q-CEP Committee, chaired by Dr. Yuna Kang, focuses on cultivating a Quality Culture through Education and ensures that residents actively participate in QI Projects aligned with ACGME milestone requirements.

To support the educational mission, Q-CEP hosts multiple events annually. The Quality M&M Conference, held twice a year, provides a non-punitive forum for discussing adverse or near-miss events, emphasizing root cause analysis and corrective actions. The Quality Education Lecture Series invites speakers from UCLA to present on the application of QI science methods. The annual Quality Improvement Day, featuring the Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Keynote Lecture, has evolved significantly over the past five years, now including thematic workshops alongside the keynote lecture; this also showcases resident-led QI projects.

The themes of Quality Improvement Day are aligned with the Quintuple Aim framework developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), which encourages health systems to improve population health, enhance care experiences, reduce costs, support clinician well-being, and advance high quality health care for all patients.

Recent Quality Improvement Day programs have explored the intersection of pathology and laboratory medicine with Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) (2024, 2025). These topics have drawn strong attendance and engagement due to their potentially transformative effects on diagnostic workflows and patient care.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are honored to welcome Dr. Scott Owens, Director of the Division of Quality and Health Improvement at the University of Michigan Department of Pathology, as our keynote speaker. Dr. Owens, a nationally recognized leader in patient safety and quality assurance, will present on “Essential Value: Quality Improvement From the Laboratory to the Bedside”. His work exemplifies the integration of clinical excellence with systemic improvement, aligning perfectly with our department’s QI missions.

Together, these initiatives underscore our commitment to embedding quality into every facet of pathology and laboratory medicine—from education to clinical practice and innovation. Click the below graphic to enlarge the image. 

Laboratory Stewardship Updates

The UCLA Health Laboratory Stewardship Program continues its missions to optimize diagnostic practices and enhance operational efficiency for our patients and all of UCLA Health. Building on the successes of prior years, the program has expanded its scope through new partnerships, innovative data strategies, and targeted interventions and CareConnect solutions. Click the below graphic to enlarge the image. 

The Lab Stewardship program has also been busy driving inter-disciplinary collaborations and expanding our reach across the health system. A new collaboration includes:

• A new subcommittee for Lab Stewardship for Infectious Disease Testing is bringing together Pathology and Laboratory Medicine experts with Infectious Diseases physicians to improve the use of tests such as fungal blood cultures and expensive send-out meningitis antibody panels.

Our successes reflect the dedication and expertise of the Laboratory Stewardship Task Force (who reviewed a record number of new reference lab test requests this year), the strong support from the Laboratory Stewardship Oversight Committee (LSOC) of chief medical officers and other high-level health system leaders, and the commitment of colleagues across departments who share our vision for patients to receive the right test at the right time. Many Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine faculty and staff, beyond those who formally sit on LSTF, have been involved in our efforts this year, and we are truly thankful for their time and expertise!

Looking forward, Lab Stewardship aims to broaden efforts across clinical departments, engage in multi-center collaborations, and further develop robust data infrastructure to support sustainable, patient-centered laboratory stewardship.

For more information, including recent news such as conference presentations and articles, we welcome you to visit our Laboratory Stewardship Program webpage.

Meet the Program Leaders

Quality Improvement

• Michelle Hickey, PhD – Director, Quality Improvement Program
• Yuna Kang, MD – Chair of the Q-CEP Quality Culture/Education/Resident Projects Committee
• Peggy Sullivan, MD – Q-CEP Committee Member
• Jitin Makker, MD – Q-CEP Committee Member
• Liang Ding, MD – Q-CEP Committee Member
• Program Manager – Monique Trinh

(L to R): Dr. Peggy Sullivan, Dr. Jitin Makker, Dr. Michelle Hickey, Dr. Liang Ding, and Dr. Yuna Kang (Not pictured: Monique Trinh)

Laboratory Stewardship

• Allison Chambliss – Director of Laboratory Stewardship; Laboratory Stewardship Task Force Co-Chair; Clinical Chemistry
• Josh Deignan – Laboratory Stewardship Task Force Co-Chair; Molecular Diagnostics
• Omai Garner – Vice Chair for Clinical Laboratory Affairs; Clinical Microbiology
• Alex Martin, PA (ASCP), MHA – Laboratory Stewardship Task Force Co-Chair; Director of Operations, Anatomic Pathology
• Maria Estrada, PMP, MHA – Program Manager, Laboratory Stewardship and Inclusive Excellence

(L to R): Dr. Omai Garner, Dr. Allison Chambliss, Dr. Josh Deignan, and Maria Estrada (Not Pictured: Alex Martin)

Eric De Cair and Dr. Dawn Ward Meet with Delegation from the Republic of Georgia Regarding Blood Donation

UCLA recently received an inquiry from the International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles (ICDLA) regarding a visit coordinated through the UCLA International Visitors Bureau. The request was to host a 5-member delegation from the Republic of Georgia, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Their program focuses on “U.S. Approaches to Blood Donation: Case Studies for Leaders in Georgia”.

On Tuesday, September 23, Eric De Cair, Director of the Blood and Platelet Center (BPC), and Dr. Dawn Ward, Medical Director of the BPC, had the opportunity to meet with this group of professionals, who represent Georgia’s blood bank and the blood donation sector. They shared best practices in donor recruitment and blood collection, highlighting the operations of our hospital-based university blood center.

Above, Dr. Dawn Ward (fourth from the left) and Eric De Cair (third from the right).

We Give Blood Drive

To help address the greatest need for blood in a generation, Abbott, a global leader in blood testing, and the Big Ten Conference will team up to host the 2nd annual college conference-wide blood donation competition.“The We Give Blood Drive” initiative is designed to motivate Big Ten students, alumni and fans to donate blood by tapping into school pride and devotion to their teams. Last year Abbott helped save 60,000 lives through blood donations through this campaign!

The top-donating university will receive a $1 million prize from Abbott to support student and community health initiatives.

From now until December 5, 2025, we are calling on all donors to help UCLA WIN the "We Give Blood Drive" competition! Read more at the UCLA Newsroom here.

2025 American Heart Association – Heart & Stroke Walk

I am thrilled to announce that, thanks to your generous support, the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Team raised $2,181.47 for the American Heart Association Greater Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Rose Bowl! This achievement reflects our commitment to this vital cause and highlights the incredible spirit of our team. Our team is still accepting donations through 10/31 - help us reach our goal of $2500!

A special thank you to our Team Captain, Dr. Sheeja Pullarkat, our top earner, Khanh,  all our donors, and department participants: Anastasia, Kelli, Khanh, Miles (Khanh's son) Dr. Sarah Dry, Dr. Sarah Zhang, Dr. Sheeja Pullarkat, and Sydney (Kelli's Golden Retriever)!

Help Us Reach Our Goal:

• Make a Donation: Every donation helps us get closer to our goal and supports a vital cause. To contribute, please visit our fundraising page, select the team "Pathology and Laboratory Medicine," and click "Donate to a Team Member."

If you have any questions regarding donations, please email Anastasia (agustafson@mednet.ucla.edu).

Thank you for your support in making a difference!

Thank you to all our donors and our top earner, Khanh, for all her hard work and creating this display!

(L to R): Dr. Sheeja Pullarkat, Miles, Khanh, Sydney, Kelli, Anastasia, Dr. Sarah Dry, and Dr. Sarah Zhang

Sydney enjoying some pre-walk pets from Dr. Dry and all the team members!

 

Join Us for the Light The Way Challenge! 

We are excited to announce that UCLA Health will be participating in the 2025 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Way Challenge on Saturday, November 1 at the Centerpiece Park at Century Plaza Towers. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission is to cure cancers and improve the life of cancer patients and their families. With your help, research funding can be provided for cutting edge treatments and ensures for critical health initiatives within our communities that support and advocate for cancer patients.

We are delighted that Ron Gonzalez, OAL Lab Processing Supervisor, will be our Pathology and Laboratory Medicine team captain for the third year in a row! Our Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department is committed to raising $2,500 and we need your support.

Our Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department is committed to raising $2,500 and we need your support.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Register as a Walker: Sign up to join our team "Pathology and Laboratory Medicine" and participate in the walk. Register here.
• Make a Donation: Every donation helps us get closer to our goal and supports a vital cause. To contribute, please visit our fundraising page. Donate here.
• Exciting Prizes for Donors: To encourage donations, we are offering special prizes! For each dollar donated, walkers will receive one entry into a drawing for the following UCLA Health-themed items:
  • $25 Donation: Entry to win a UCLA Health Plastic Wine Tumbler (By 9/5)
  • $50 Donation: 2025 UCLA Health Light The Night Walk Team T-Shirt
  • $100 Donation: 2025 Light The Night Walk T-shirt
  • $200 Donation: Entry to win cobranded UCLA Health & LLS Night Lights (by 9/5; 5 Winners)
  • $300 Donation: Entry to win a LA Lakers Fanny Pack (by 9/5; 10 Winners)
  • $500 Donation: Entry to win a UCLA Health #1 Fan Goody Bag (by 9/5; 5 Winners)
  • $800 Donation: Entry to win a one-of-a-kind LA Lakers wooden multi-game game board (by 9/5)
  • $1000 Donation: Entry to win a 2025 Light The Night Bright Lights Long Sleeve Shirt
  • $1500 Donation: Entry to win a Los Angeles Lakers 4-piece Travel Set (by 9/5)
  • $2500 or more Donation: Will be granted access into the LLS’s invite-only VIP pre-walk event at Craft and their choice of a Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler or an Osprey Arcane Crossbody.

For any questions regarding donations or registration, please email the our Light the Way team captain, Ron Gonzalez (RCGonzalez@mednet.ucla.edu).

Fresh Upgrades Bring Comfort and Style to the CHS Breakroom 

The CHS breakroom (AS-316) just got a major makeover—and it’s already making a difference. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Facilities team, the space now features five brand-new tables with matching chairs, perfect for lunch breaks or a quiet moment to recharge. Whether you're grabbing a coffee or catching up with colleagues, these additions offer a clean, modern look and plenty of seating.

Even better, the breakroom now includes four plush lounge chairs, creating a cozy corner for relaxation. These soft, inviting seats are ideal for unwinding during a busy day and add a touch of comfort that staff are sure to appreciate.

A huge thank you to Amari for managing this project and our Facilities team for their hard work and attention to detail. Your commitment to creating a welcoming environment for CHS does not go unnoticed—and we’re grateful for everything you do. And, thank you to UCLA Health for sharing the costs of this makeover with the Department.

Here’s to more comfortable breaks and a refreshed space that supports the incredible people who make CHS thrive!

Pictures provided by Amari

AS-316 before the upgrade

 

Conferences, Training, & Technology

College of American Pathologists (CAP) 25 Conference – Orlando, FL

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) 25 Conference took place from Sept 13-16, 2025 in Orlando, FL. Department attendees included Dr. Joe Giessinger (PGY-4), Dr. Lee Hilborne, Dr. Cullen Lilley (PGY-3), Dr, Kene Ojukwu, Dr. Heather Ross (PGY-3), Dr. Yuan Shui (PGY-4), and Dr. Ruoji Zhou (PGY-3).

Dr. Joe Giessinger, Dr. Heather Ross, and Dr. Ruoji Zhou attended the Residents' Forum as UCLA Delegates where they participated in various professional development sessions and voted on the new Resident Forum Executive Committee Board.

(L to R): Dr. Joe Giessinger, Dr. Heather Ross, Dr. Ruoji Zhou, and Dr. Cullen Lilley 

 

Dr. Cullen Lilley attended as the Member at Large for the Resident Forum Executive Committee and was elected as the Chair for the upcoming cycle (2025-2026)! At which time, he was sworn in as an ex-officio member of the CAP Board of Governors and attended his first board meeting as a voting member under the leadership of the newly inaugurated president of the CAP, Dr. Jim Zhai. 

 

Dr. Cullen Lilley (middle) was elected as the 2025-2026 Chair of the Residents Forum Executive Committee.

(L to R): Dr. Cullen Lilley being sworn in by CAP President, Dr. Jim Zhai.

Dr. Lee Hilborne presented at the Laboratory Inspector Training Program

Julia Chen, MS4 from New York Medical College, recently completed a visitor rotation with our Department. She presented her poster "Deferral Communication between Pathologists and Surgeons." Department collaborators include Dr. Maggie Tsang, Dr. Peggy Sullivan, Dr. Liang Ding, and Dr. Kene Ojukwu. This project also included collaborators from other departments and institutions, including Dr. Nicholas Siena (Surgery, UCLA), Dr. Jessica Rett (Linguistics, UCLA), and Dr. Rajam Raghunathan (Surgery, McGill University). 

Amelie Lim, UCLA medical student, is also working with mentor Dr. Kene Ojukwu. Amelie presented their work "Pathology for Surgeons: A Collaborative Curriculum Uniting Pathology, Radiology, and Surgery Trainees in Breast Cancer Care.” This was a true interdisciplinary work that included multiple collaborators from the University of Washington, including Drs. Tara Krishnan (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), Kareem Hosny (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), Mark Kilgore (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), Diana L. Lam (Radiology), and Emily Palmquist (Surgery).

Amelie is a medical student entering her Discovery Year. She helped with the Pathology for Surgeons sessions at UCLA and has been exposed to the important interface of Surgery and Pathology as a future surgical oncologist. 

(L) Julia Chen with Dr. Kene Ojukwu. (R) Dr. Kene Ojukwu excited to start CAP25!

Dr. Ruoji Zhou presented her poster "Pseudoground-Glass Glycogen Inclusion Bodies in Hepatocytes: Clinicopathologic Characterization of 14 Cases." Department collaborators include Dr. Hanlin Wang. 

Dr. Ruoji Zhou presented her poster "Rethinking hepatic sinusoidal hemophagocytosis in the diagnosis of hemeophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): a case of series study." Department collaborators include Dr. Sarah Zhang, Dr. Alison Du, and Children's Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado collaborators Dr. Michael A. Arnold (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) and Dr. Yamin Ma (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine).

Dr. Yuan Shui presented her poster "Diagnostic Value of Immunohistochemical Panels for Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas and Extrahepatic Bile Ducts." Department collaborators include Dr. Irene Riahi, Dr. David Dawson, and Dr. Hanlin Wang.

(L to R): UCLA Pathology Alumni Dr. Alex Nobori ('21) and Dr. Jason Scapa ('19) are joined by Dr. Cullen Lilley (PGY-3).

GlomCon Hawaii – O'ahu, Turtle Bay, Hawaii

GlomCon Hawaii took place from Sept 22-25, 2025 in O'ahu, Turtle Bay, Hawaii. Department attendee included Dr. Jonathan Zuckerman. As an invited speaker, he gave a presentation titled "Biopsy Pathology of IgA Nephropathy" and participated in a panel case discussion on IgA nephropathy.

 

Photo Courtesy of X

Dr. Peter Tontonoz to Receive 2025 Basic Research Prize from the American Heart Association

We are proud to share that Dr. Peter Tontonoz, Frances and Albert Piansky Endowed Chair and distinguished Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Biological Chemistry, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2025 Basic Research Prize from the American Heart Association. The award will be presented during the AHA Scientific Sessions in New Orleans this November.

Dr. Tontonoz’s groundbreaking research has transformed our understanding of lipid metabolism and its role in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. His discoveries—ranging from how LDL cholesterol is cleared from the blood to the identification of key enzymes and proteins like Aster—have paved the way for more precise therapies for heart disease, diabetes, and beyond.

 

Congratulations to Dr. Dinesh Rao and collaborators on their recent publication in Cell Reports "IGF2BP3 redirects glycolytic flux to promote one-carbon metabolism and RNA methylation."

 

As featured by UCLA News, Dr. Dinesh Rao and his team at UCLA have identified a key protein, IGF2BP3, that helps leukemia cells survive by linking energy production and RNA regulation. The protein boosts glycolysis and RNA methylation, enabling cancer cells to grow rapidly. Removing IGF2BP3 disrupts these processes, weakening the cancer. Mice without the protein resisted leukemia, making IGF2BP3 a promising target for future therapies.

 

Dr. Cullen Lilley Selected for The Power List 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Culley Lilley (PGY-3) on being selected for The Pathologist Magazine's The Power List 2025! The list honors the trailblazers driving innovation and excellence in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. This year’s Leading Voices Edition celebrates those who challenge norms, advocate for reform, and inspire progress.

Dr. Cullen Lilley exemplifies this spirit—leading with integrity, advancing patient care, mentoring future leaders, and pushing the boundaries of medical science. Selected through a blind judging process, his inclusion reflects the true impact of his work and vision.

In a time of rapid change and scientific breakthroughs, vote for Dr. Lilley to recognize a voice that’s moving Pathology forward! Please vote for Dr. Lilley to be selected as the favorite in his category.

Dr. Dawn Ward Receives $150,000 G-Rex Grant to Advance Cell Therapy Manufacturing

ScaleReady, in partnership with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing, Bio-Techne Corporation and CellReady, has awarded eight G-Rex Grants totaling nearly $2 million to recipients of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Manufacturing Network (INFR5) program.

Among the recipients is Dr. Dawn Ward, Medical Director of the Human Gene & Cell Therapy Facility at UCLA, who received a $150,000 grant to implement G-Rex-based workflows for producing diverse cell therapy modalities at the university’s new GMP facility.

The first therapy to be manufactured using this platform will be a novel invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy developed by Dr. Lili Yang, also a grant recipient.

These grants support CIRM’s mission to strengthen California’s leadership in cell and gene therapy manufacturing by fostering collaboration between academic GMP facilities and industry partners.

Dr. Shaun Yang Halts a Superbug Outbreak

Dr. Shaun Yang was instrumental in detecting and stopping an outbreak of a rare, antibiotic-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at UCLA. His lab first identified the NDM-1-producing bacteria in a patient with no travel history, raising alarms about domestic transmission. When subsequent cases were detected, they appeared unrelated. Using whole-genome sequencing, Dr. Yang traced the pathogen’s genetic fingerprint across multiple patients and environmental samples, ultimately linking the outbreak to a contaminated ICU sink. His forensic approach to microbial genomics, and close collaboration with Dr. Dan Uslan UCLA Health Chief Infection Prevention Officer, enabled UCLA Health to swiftly contain the threat and prevent further spread.

Dr. Shaun Yang Tracks Valley Fever Surge in California

Dr. Shaun Yang’s lab has seen a fivefold increase in monthly cases of Valley Fever, including severe infections in children. He believes this increased incidence may be related to climate change. Yang attributes the surge to dry, dusty conditions that help spread the airborne fungus and warns that actual infections may be vastly underreported.

Dr. Shaun Yang Discussed What You Should About Chagas Disease

Chagas disease, a potentially deadly condition transmitted by an insect known as the “kissing bug,” is now endemic in the United States, according to a September report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Shaun Yang tells you what you should know.

Congratulations to Dr. Fausto Rodriguez and collaborator Dr. Cynthia E. Hawkins (Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, The University of Toronto) on their recent publication. "Tumors of the Central Nervous System" which is part of the Atlases of Tumor and Non-Tumor Pathology Series 5 through the American Registry of Pathology.

 

Pathology Art Collective 

Our Pathology Art Collective showcases the creativity of the members of our Department. We are now accepting submissions to be displayed and featured here, which may include paintings, drawings, photography, poems, etc. If your creativity involves home improvement projects, cooking, gardening, sewing, theater, musical performance etc., please feel free to submit photos. Please send your submissions to Anastasia (agustafson@mednet.ucla.edu). 

 

 

Friday, September 12, 2025
Inclusive Excellence Series
Loren Gragert, PhD
Assistant Professor, Division of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics
Associate Director, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory
John W. Deming Department of Medicine
Tulane University

 

 

 

 

Friday, October 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM PT – Virtual
Clinical Seminar Series – Topic: Microbiology
Dan Milner, MD, MSc(Epi), MBA
Chief of Pathology 
Olive View-UCLA Medical Center 
"Pathology Capacity in Global Health"