IAOTP names Dr. Kara Roncin top female trailblazer in pathology

By AI, Created 6:15 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The International Association of Top Professionals will honor Dr. Kara Roncin at its annual awards gala in New York City, recognizing her work in surgical and clinical pathology. The award spotlights her clinical leadership, teaching role at Creighton University, and contributions to cancer care and pathology education.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s recognition puts a national spotlight on Dr. Kara Roncin’s work in diagnostic medicine, cancer care, and medical education. - The honor reflects growing attention to pathologists who contribute beyond the lab, including leadership, research support, and training future doctors.

What happened: - IAOTP selected Dr. Kara Roncin as Top Female Trailblazer of the Year in Surgical & Clinical Pathology for 2026. - IAOTP will honor Dr. Roncin at its Annual Awards Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - The award recognizes people who break barriers, advance innovation, and set new standards in diagnostic medicine and patient care. - More information about the gala is available through the award gala page.

The details: - Dr. Roncin is a board certified anatomic and clinical pathologist at CHI Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, in Nebraska. - Dr. Roncin also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at Creighton University School of Medicine. - Her specialty focus is surgical pathology, with emphasis on breast pathology. - Dr. Roncin works with multidisciplinary clinical teams to support accurate diagnoses and patient care. - Dr. Roncin contributes to the Creighton University pathology residency program and helps mentor trainees. - Her professional memberships include the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, the College of American Pathologists, the International Society of Breast Pathology, the International Society of Urological Pathology, the Digital Pathology Association, and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. - Her stated areas of expertise include pathology, quality assurance and quality improvement, instruction, supervision, wellness, and leadership. - Dr. Roncin earned honors in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Saskatchewan. - She later earned a B.S. in Health Science and a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of the Americas. - She trained in combined anatomic and clinical pathology at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. - She completed a fifth-year fellowship in selective pathology with a breast pathology focus at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. - In 2023, she completed a clinical fellowship in surgical pathology at the University of Saskatchewan under the Saskatchewan Health Authority in Saskatoon and then joined the organization as a pathologist. - Her awards include the Harry L. Taylor IV, MD Trainee Award in Pathology in 2018, the Association of Residents and Fellows Travel Award in 2021, and the Jerome A. Smith Infectious Disease Poster Award in 2021. - She has also been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who, Best in Nebraska Magazine, Women in Medicine, Fortune National magazine, Forbes magazine, and SELF! magazine. - IAOTP also previously selected her as Top Surgical and Clinical Pathologist of the Year and Empowered Woman of the Year. - Dr. Roncin has served since 2023 as the lead pathology representative on a local network cancer committee and was appointed Commission on Cancer Chair for the 2025 to 2026 term. - She is the lead pathology representative on CHI Health’s Breast Health Professional Advisory Board. - Her recent work includes analyzing biomarker profiles across multiple gastrointestinal cancers and participating in national clinical trials focused on lung cancer. - She has led cost analysis, quality assurance and improvement efforts, and reflex testing algorithms for gastrointestinal cancers and non small cell lung adenocarcinoma. - Since 2024, she has chaired CHI Health’s Department of Pathology Grand Rounds Committee. - She has also participated with the Medical University of the Americas chapter of the American Medical Student Association and volunteered with the Greystone Scholar Society in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. - For more information, visit her LinkedIn profile. - A video about Dr. Roncin is available here.

Between the lines: - The award underscores how pathology is increasingly tied to broader hospital strategy, from cancer committee leadership to quality improvement and reflex testing design. - Dr. Roncin’s mix of clinical, academic, and committee roles suggests IAOTP is highlighting professionals who influence care delivery at multiple levels, not just through direct diagnosis. - Her interest in expanding educational outreach on YouTube points to a growing emphasis on public-facing medical education.

What’s next: - Dr. Roncin will be formally recognized at IAOTP’s gala in New York City. - She said she hopes to expand her educational YouTube presence and inspire more people entering the field. - IAOTP continues to promote its annual recognition program for professionals across industries.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is using this award to spotlight a pathologist whose work spans cancer care, teaching, leadership, and mentorship.