---
title: 'Episode 216: Dr David Li - Using Personal Experience To Transform Patient Understanding In Pathology'
type: 'episode'
url: 'https://doc.social/episodes/episode-216-dr-david-li-using-personal-experience-to-transform-patient-understanding-in-pathology'
show: 'People of Pathology Podcast'
show_url: 'https://doc.social/podcasts/people-of-pathology-podcast'
published: '2025-09-15'
audio: 'https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/a6upgd64bjwgsjmq/Dr_David_Li9f7mh.mp3'
---

# Episode 216: Dr David Li - Using Personal Experience To Transform Patient Understanding In Pathology

Today my guest is hematopathologist Dr David Li. What we discuss with Dr Li: His early introduction to pathology through a neuropathology research lab at the University of Washington. The influence of strong mentors and role models in shapi…

## Summary

Today my guest is hematopathologist Dr David Li.

What we discuss with Dr Li:

- His early introduction to pathology through a neuropathology research lab at the University of Washington.

- The influence of strong mentors and role models in shaping his path toward hematopathology.

- His mother’s diagnoses with breast and pancreatic cancer, and how he served as a bridge to help her understand complex pathology reports.

- The communication gap that often exists between patients and providers when it comes to pathology results.

- Founding a patient pathology clinic at Mayo Clinic–Jacksonville to make pathology more patient-centered.

- Stories of diverse patients who benefited from the pathology clinic.

- The role of digital pathology in making pathology clinics accessible across the country and internationally.

- Dr. Li’s own experience with hereditary cancer risk and his prostate cancer diagnosis.

- Using social media, especially TikTok to raise awareness about genetic testing, men’s cancer risk, and early detection.

- His vision for a future where pathology clinics are a routine part of oncology care, supported by digital tools and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Links for this episode:

[The Path to PathA](http://www.thepathtopatha.com/)

[Pathologists' Assistant Shadowing Network](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14605997/)

[Health Podcast Network](https://healthpodcastnetwork.com/)

[ LabVine Learning](http://bit.ly/labvine)

[Dress A Med scrubs](https://dressamed.com/?rfsn=5044297.cb03eb&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=5044297.cb03eb)

[Digital Pathology Club](https://digitalpathology.club/digital-pathology-beginners-guide-notification?am_id=dennis985)

Dr Li on [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@brca2man)

People of Pathology Podcast:

[Twitter](https://twitter.com/peopleofpath)

[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/peopleofpath/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=87f3e0df-5864-418e-a5b3-5fdd260ba05b)