The AAPath Pathology Leadership Academy (PLA)

Program Details

The Pathology Leadership Academy (PLA) is a one and a half day in-person program for aspiring leaders in academic pathology. The PLA program began in 2016 at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA, and historically, immediately precedes the AAPath Annual Meetings. The PLA once had an open application period, but in 2025 became exclusive to the current and incoming AAPath Pathology Leadership Fellowship (APLF) Program Fellows. The program typically begins with networking and an expert lead dinner session, and continues the next morning with a full day of presentations and interactive exercises. The PLA program concludes with the graduation of current APLF Program Fellows. Following the course, participants are welcomed and encouraged to attend the AAPath Annual Meetings to expand their knowledge about important issues, trends, and opportunities relevant to academic pathology departments and network with national leaders. AAPath Annual Meeting registrations are separate from the registration for the Pathology Leadership Academy.

All PLA programs are designed by AAPath’s Leadership Development & Diversity Committee to build and strengthen leadership skills and knowledge for current and future leaders in academic pathology. Course content includes topics specifically relevant to academic pathology, as well as more general leadership-related material. Didactic and interactive sessions are provided by national leaders and experienced facilitators on personal growth and management issues such as:

• Leading through Change
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Receiving and Giving Performance Feedback
• Time Management Strategies
• Dealing with Difficult People
• Cultivating Resiliency
• Budget and Business Case Exercises
• Executing a Personal Strategic Plan

For more information on the history of the PLA, see the Academic Pathology article entitled The Association of Pathology Chairs’ Pathology Leadership Academy: Experience From the First 2 Years.

Questions?

Contact the AAPath office at mmarkwood@academicpathology.org or call 302-660-4943.