William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins "Answers From the Lab" for his weekly leadership update with podcast host Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Pritt and Dr. Morice discuss advances in monkeypox testing, working with the CDC to scale testing and response efforts, the fast-spreading BA.5 variant of COVID-19, and how at-home testing affects the number of reported cases.

Diagnostic tests are a critical part of America’s health infrastructure and helping people live healthier lives. But in a recent op-ed published on RealClearPolicy, William Morice II, M.D., president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Matt Sause, president and CEO of Roche Diagnostics North America, explain how the well-intended Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA) puts vital diagnostic tests at risk.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories has validated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's test kit for monkeypox and will begin to ramp up testing.

Top highlights include: Hospitals in less competitive regions have higher price transparency compliance, study finds, Many won’t rely on virtual options after COVID: AP-NORC poll, Exercise can cut all sorts of health risks for seniors. Here’s how to get going.

Mayo Clinic is the first and only PCD Foundation accredited center for the diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare and debilitating lung disease.

Top highlights include: CMS rolls out new payment model on improving cancer treatments, Mayo Clinic Waseca breaks ground on renovation project, Wearables are collecting a flood of data - an ambitious new study of pregnancy aims to prove that's valuable for health.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories' rapid response to public health threats has been honed during outbreaks of viruses like 2009’s H1N1 influenza, Zika, Ebola and, most recently, COVID-19. Before COVID-19, laboratory staff were already experts in developing and implementing new tests — but never on such an aggressive timeline.

Top highlights include: A gull flaps its wings and a deadly virus explodes, Doctors increasingly prescribe time in nature to promote mental and physical health, Father's Day miracle: newborn receives organ donation right on time Minnesota.

The Department of Health and Human Services has named Mayo Clinic Laboratories as one of five commercial laboratories to expand access and capacity for monkeypox testing.

Top highlights include: Remission Seen in Every Rectal Cancer Patient in Small Study of Drug, Mayo Clinic urges men to get check-ups ahead of Father's Day, Getting closer to a vaccine for cancer.

Today's highlights include: Moderna says updated vaccine works better against Omicron, FDA advisors back Novavax COVID shot, and disparities remain in opioid treatment access.

Today's highlights include: Spread of monkeypox underscores need for physicians to be ready to understand, Pfizer completes application to FDA for vaccine for children under 5, and connect is key to supporting multiple sclerosis patients.