Dr. Qihui "Jim" Zhai, MD, FACP has been named Professor and Chair of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology and the holder of the Albert G and Harriet G Smith Endowment in Pathology at LSU Health Shreveport. He will also serve as Chief of Pathology at the Ochsner LSU Health System. Dr. Zhai will assume his new role on August 1.

Dr. Zhai most recently served at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida, as a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology bringing a wealth of experience as a consultant pathologist, Director of Research, and Founder and Medical Director of the FISH and Molecular Laboratory at Mayo Clinic Florida.

Dr. Zhai is internationally renowned as a surgical pathologist and a nationally sought after speaker in several subspecialties, including Head and Neck, Thyroid, GU, and Diagnostic and Prognostic Immunohistochemistry. His research focuses on integrating morphology, immunohistochemistry, and liquid biopsy with clinical relevance, translating emerging molecular advances into diagnostic and therapeutic guidance for everyday practice.

With over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and research abstracts to his credit, Dr. Zhai is a prolific author. He has authored and edited nine major pathology textbooks covering a wide range of topics in diagnostic pathology and quality management. He serves as the editor-in-chief of "Grossing, Staging, and Reporting," and co-editor-in-chief of "Quality Management in Anatomic," both published by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Furthermore, he holds editorial positions in highly regarded pathology journals, such as Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Dr. Zhai is a recognized leader and passionate advocate within the US pathology community. His efforts have significantly impacted pathology education, laboratory quality, and best practices in surgical pathology. He has served on the Education Committee of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, the Test Development and Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pathology and is the immediate Past President of the Florida Society of Pathologists (FSP). Within the College of American Pathologists (CAP), Dr. Zhai has held several leadership roles, including his second term on the Board of Governors, Chair and Vice-Chair of various committees and councils. In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, dedication, and forward-thinking approach, Dr. Zhai received nominations from the Nominations Committee and members’ petition for the position of CAP President-Elect for the term 2023-2025, with an endorsement from the Florida Society of Pathologists Board of Directors. He was named President-Elect in October 2023.

Dr. Zhai obtained his MD degree from Shandong University Medical School in China and pursued his graduate studies at Peking Union Medical College and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing. He completed his pathology residency at Mayo Clinic Rochester and an oncologic pathology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Additionally, he has served as an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Associate Professor at Cornell University, Medical Director of the Immunohistochemistry and FISH Lab at The Houston Methodist Hospital, and Professor of Pathology at the University of Cincinnati.