Shreveport, La. – LSU Health Shreveport proudly announces that Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD, FACP, Professor and Chair of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, has been inaugurated as the 39th president of the College of American Pathologists (CAP.) CAP is the largest organization of board-certified pathologists in the world.

This distinction places LSU Health Shreveport at the center of national and global conversations about the future of pathology. Dr. Zhai’s leadership within CAP reflects the strength and vision of our Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, further elevating LSU Health Shreveport’s role in advancing education, research and patient care in Louisiana and beyond.

In his inaugural remarks at CAP25 on September 13th, Dr. Zhai shared a personal story of biking across China as a medical student, an experience that taught him to seek opportunity, face uncertainty and to keep moving forward. “Only when moving can one maintain one’s balance,” he said, quoting Albert Einstein, emphasizing the resilience and innovation that will guide his tenure as CAP president.

As CAP president, Dr. Zhai has outlined a bold vision to:

• Connect pathologists across subspecialties, practice settings and generations to strengthen collaboration and advocacy.
• Inspire growth through mentorship, advocacy and global engagement.
• Embrace innovation, including artificial intelligence and digital tools, to ensure pathologists remain central to patient care.

“Pathologists are central to every diagnosis and treatment decision,” said Dr. Zhai. “Leading CAP provides an extraordinary opportunity to champion their role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care. I’m committed to growing our profession, mentoring future pathologists, expanding our impact, and embracing innovation without losing sight of what matters most: the patients we serve.”

Dr. Zhai joined LSU Health Shreveport from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and founded the FISH and Molecular Laboratory. An internationally renowned surgical pathologist, Dr. Zhai has authored over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, edited nine major pathology textbooks, and is a frequent national and international lecturer.

He is recognized for his expertise in head and neck, thyroid, genitourinary pathology, and diagnostic immunohistochemistry. His research integrates morphology, immunohistochemistry, and liquid biopsy to bring molecular advances directly into clinical practice. Dr. Zhai’s distinguished career also includes leadership roles on multiple CAP committees, the American Board of Pathology, and the Florida Society of Pathologists.