| AAPath 2025 Annual Meeting, Advocacy Updates, Member Events and More! |
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AAPath E-News
February 2025
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Important Updates from the AAPath...
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AAPath 2025 Annual Meeting
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The Preliminary Program for the 58th AAPath Annual Meeting is now available! AAPath 2025 will be held at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, CO, July 27-30, 2025. Join your colleagues at this once-yearly, highly-anticipated opportunity to network with leaders in academic pathology. Arrive in time to reunite at the Welcome Reception on Sunday, July 27th and then immerse yourself in educational topics over three full days of programming – Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! For those unable to attend in-person, a robust online experience broadcast via Zoom will be available for remote attendees. As a reminder, the AAPath Annual Meeting is not only for Chairs and its Section Members, but open to ALL faculty and staff who are interested in advancing the missions of academic pathology! AAPath Section Councils and Committees are finalizing their exceptional and timely educational programming. Program details are updated as they evolve at: www.academicpathology.org/aapath2025.
New in July! A free AAPath Lab Leadership Workshop will be held live in conjunction with the Annual Meeting on the evening of Sunday, July 27th. Space will be limited for this interactive and dynamic workshop, piloted by AAPath’s Practice & Management Committee, on the fundamentals of serving in the important role of CLIA Lab Director in an academic pathology department.
Learn more about pricing and registration details, including the AAPath Health and Safety Policy and Cancellation Policy at: www.academicpathology.org/AAPath2025-Pricing and register by May 31st to avoid the late registration rate increase of $200.
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Exhibit at the AAPath 2025 Annual Meeting
Exhibitor Prospectus Now Available!
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AAPath is excited to welcome exhibitors to the AAPath 2025 Annual Meeting! The AAPath Annual Meeting exclusively convenes pathology decision makers in academic practice, undergraduate and graduate medical education, and research. Exhibits are an essential part of the learning experience for attendees. As an exhibitor, you will network with over 400 academic pathology leaders in an intimate setting for exchanging ideas and information on current and cutting-edge topics and technology in practice, education and research. All exhibitor and sponsor opportunities are explained in the 2025 Exhibitor Prospectus, along with a link to apply for them. To learn more and apply today, visit the AAPath website at: www.academicpathology.org/AAPath2025-Exhibits
If you have any questions or know of a vendor/company/organization who needs to be at the AAPath Annual Meeting, please share the link with them and contact exhibits@academicpathology.org.
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One of the toughest aspects of being a leader is leading through change. The new administration is creating unprecedented change and, with it, considerable anxiety among those you lead and at all levels of your organization. Through our advocacy and government affairs activities, AAPath strives to empower you to take action within your own medical center, university, community or state by sharing information that we gather through networking, partnerships with other influential organizations, and by amplifying your voice through representation outside your local level.
Here is what we have learned and accomplished most recently in our activities this past month, including recent participation in the National Pathology Organizations (NPO) annual meeting sponsored by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), regular participation in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ weekly meetings for government affairs representatives and other workgroup meetings, and informal conversations with our friends in other pathology organizations:
- Navigating the government’s emphasis on deregulation and efficiencies – and leveraging this to our benefit: At the NPO meeting, CAP shared the thought-provoking challenge to think about what we would like to get rid of, in addition to what we want to fight to keep. Several strategies to accomplish this were suggested at the NPO meeting and in other meetings:
- Frame your arguments along the administration’s priority to "Make America Healthy Again" citing that pathology and laboratory medicine are foundational to clinical care and to medical education, and we are key leaders and collaborators in every area of biomedical research.
- Share your illustrative stories which make data come alive and create emotional connection that can accelerate action and impact. AAMC continues to recommend the importance of grassroots efforts. Connecting with your institutional government affairs representatives makes them more impactful in their advocacy work.
- Consider Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a source of efficiency. AI is a high area of interest within government as well as for many of our members – this commonality can be leveraged.
- There is an optimism regarding removing the FDA’s regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs) like medical devices.
- A hearing was held on Friday, February 19, 2025 regarding the lawsuit filed by Association for Molecular Pathology and the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA). Those in attendance spoke positively about the arguments provided by the plaintiffs’ lawyers and noted that the judge asked well-informed questions and demonstrated good understanding of the issues and urgencies. The decision date remains uncertain, however, and may not occur before May 6, 2025; the first compliance deadline in the current FDA rule. Compliance is therefore still an expectation – your labs are not off the hook yet.
- AAPath formally endorsed the “Freedom for Laboratory Innovation and Testing Act” which was introduced on Friday, February 21, 2025 by Representatives Finstad (R, MN) and Crenshaw (R, TX) that would prohibit the FDA from using federal funds to implement, administer, or enforce its final rule on laboratory developed tests.
- Restraining order pausing the 15% cut on facilities and administration support in federal grants continues to be in effect: A hearing was held on Friday, February 21, 2025 which was also seen as positive by those in attendance. This reflects legal action by AAMC and more than 22 states that oppose this cut.
- Interest is high among many pathology organizations to work together to achieve change: The recent NPO meeting highlighted the many common interests across the seven organizations in attendance, including support for research, for immigration and visas to support our workforce, for increasing GME slots and supporting training for laboratory professionals, addressing threats related to gene patenting, and more. We hope to expand on this renewed spirit of collaboration and partnership to achieve important changes that our specialty needs.
As noted earlier, AAPath strives to advocate for our members – but the very best advocates are YOU. We hope you use this information to strengthen your own efforts and allow pathology to continue to be the foundational specialty that enhances all of medicine and biomedical science. Make a difference by voicing your concerns with your elected Congressional members and local officials, including the Governor of your state!
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Vice Chairs of Research Affinity Group
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AAPath Department Chairs can still appoint their research faculty leaders to join the new AAPath Affinity Group for Vice Chairs of Research, co-led by Dr. Edwin Monuki (UC Irvine) and Dr. Yabing Chen (OHSU). The group’s first meeting was held in early January, after which a listserv was established to support this network of research leaders in the academic pathology community. Department Chairs may still sign-up their research leaders at www.academicpathology.org/vice-chairs-for-research-affinity-group to be included in the next Vice Chairs of Research virtual meeting on Thursday, April 10th.
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Donate to the Society of ’67 to support programs of the Society of ’67 and make an impact on the next generation of academic pathologists:
- The Thomas D. Kinney Scholars Program: While any contribution helps support a Kinney Scholar, a donation of $2500 allows the contributor to be a named sponsor of a medical student or pathology resident to attend the AAPath Annual Meeting and experience academic pathology leadership.
- Open Access Publication Awards cover the article processing fee for a research article or educational case published in AAPath’s journal, Academic Pathology, by a student, resident, or early career pathologist. Eligible authors can apply throughout the year.
- Trainee Project Grants in Health Services Research or Education fund up to $5,000 for innovative projects that are relevant to health services research or education, including but not limited to healthcare quality, costs, and/or access related to pathology services. Typically launched in the fall, the current project proposals invited for a full submission are under review.
- The Academic Pathology Executive Section (APEX) Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for developing the careers of emerging and new pathology administrators (Affiliate APEX Members) to network with the community of administrators at the AAPath Annual Meeting and beyond.
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AAPath Pathology Leadership Fellows Program
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Application Deadline: February 7th!
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The APLF program cultivates leadership potential and opportunities by providing experiences and education that accelerate understanding and competency in the skills required for academic administration. The application process for this well-received year-long (July to July) course is competitive, and the program has filled all classes since its inception in 2021. The APLF program is suitable for mid-to-senior level faculty (assistant, preferably associate, professor level faculty) pursuing vice chair, director, chief or chair roles. No more than two participants will be selected from any one AAPath member department in good standing (current dues paid). Note that the application period is earlier than in previous years to give more advance notice to accepted applicants, before the first program activity in July. For information about the program and how to apply, visit:
www.academicpathology.org/aplf.
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Virtual Events for Members
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Tuesday, March 4
3:30-4:30pm ET
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APEX Brown Bag: Federal Actions & Impact
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For APEX Membership – How are you administratively managing your faculty, departments, and institutions in light of recent federal actions? Join and share with your peer network of executive administrators!
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Thursday, March 6
1:00-2:00pm ET
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Status and Impact of the FDA LDT Final Rule
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Hear from our AMP colleagues on the potential clinical impacts of the FDA final rule and current status of the AMP v. FDA lawsuit, featuring Dr. Eric Konnick (Univ of Washington) and Annie Scrimenti (AMP Director of Public Policy and Advocacy)
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Wednesday, April 2
2:00-4:30pm ET
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PRODS
Spring Virtual Meeting
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For PRODS Membership – Residency Program Directors and Associate Program Directors. This meeting is also open to GMEAS members and non-member fellowship program directors.
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Thursday, April 10
2:00-3:00pm ET
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Monday, April 14
6:00-7:00pm ET
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1st Annual AAPath QIPS Scholarship Forum
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This forum is open to all program directors, coordinators, residents, and fellows to hear poster presentations on how quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) is being learned and applied in training programs.
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Thursday, May 1
2:00-4:00pm ET
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Primarily for NEW Pathology Residency Program Directors and Associate Program Directors, but all PRODS are welcome to attend for refreshers!
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Thursday, May 8
1:00-2:30pm ET
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GMEAS
Virtual Bootcamp Essentials
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For all GMEAS Members, new and experienced, to prepare for your next cycle of trainees and a sneak preview of the AAPath 2025 conference in July!
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Refresh Your Program Listings for Trainees and Medical Students!
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Trainee Opportunities in Pathology
Refresh Your Program Listings by March 31st
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AAPath is pleased to publish on our website a listing of resources and opportunities for students and trainees! The listings provided by program directors and coordinators are intended to be freely accessible resources for medical students and residents to locate information about training programs and related events, in the same place where they can find other important trainee opportunities and resources, such as clerkships and unexpected fellowship openings. Please update your listings with this year’s deadlines, if applicable, by March 31st so they are ready for AAPath to promote at the AAMC Virtual Specialty Forum for medical students on Thursday, April 3rd. Through the AAPath Virtual Booth, the listings will be highly visible and broadcast to participating medical students! To add a pathology residency or fellowship open house listing, unexpected fellowship openings, PSTP or Experimental Pathology PhD program listings, PSF program, or other student educational opportunities, go to the appropriate link above and complete the relevant form.
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Recently Published Articles in Academic Pathology
- Osteopathic versus allopathic medical school pathology curricula: a survey of medical students at Michigan State University, C. Johnson, BA, et al. Research Article First Published February 18, 2025: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100164
- From good to great: The journey of sustained academic improvement of a university department of pathology and laboratory medicine, Z. Gao, MD, PhD, et al. Research Article First Published February 3, 2025: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100159
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Academic Pathology is AAPath’s fully open-access, PubMed-indexed, peer-reviewed journal and part of the world-class collection of journals and pathology resources published by Elsevier, with visibility to a global audience of academic leaders through Science Direct and Clinical Key. Academic Pathology’s 2023 impact factor increased to 1.2 (from 1.0 in 2022) and ranked 64 of 88 journals in the Pathology category – one more reason to submit your manuscript to AAPath’s official journal!
Click here to view the latest issue of Academic Pathology and subscribe to receive alerts when the latest issues are published!
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Members who recently passed and who served AAPath in leadership roles, such as Presidents and Council Members among the AAPath Sections, are recognized in this new section if the AAPath Office is notified. Pause and reflect on the legacy, impact, and memories these colleagues have made on you:
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Member Directory
Only members in good standing have access to AAPath member resources, including the exclusive online member directory. AAPath's member list is always live and searchable.
Click here to search the directory today!
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Member Profile
Each AAPath Member has a profile that allows you to post information and even upload a photo to let others know who you are and what you do! Your member profile is searchable in the AAPath Member Directory. Update your information today by logging in to the AAPath website.
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Listserv Networks
Guidelines: Members are expected to abide by the AAPath listserv policies. For more information on AAPath's listservs, visit the AAPath website at: www.academicpathology.org/m-lists
Best Practice: When sending messages to the listserv, please be sure to include a short signature line with at least your name, role, institution, and email address so that other members can reach you directly if needed.
Archives: To view the archive of listserv messages, log in to your member profile and access the E-lists under My Features.
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Job Postings
Do you have a job opening at your institution? Members can share openings with their section listserv network for free as a member benefit. Job openings can also be posted directly to the AAPath Career Center (Job Board), which has broad national visibility. Post or Search for Jobs at: https://careers.apcprods.org/
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Get Involved!
Join a Committee and appoint faculty to Affinity Groups
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Committees
Active Chair discussion on issues of common interest occurs primarily through AAPath's committee activities. All Chairs are invited to participate in any of AAPath's committees (listed below). If you are a Chair who is interested in joining one of the committees listed below, please submit your written request to the AAPath office at info@academicpathology.org
Affinity Groups
AAPath Committees have established affinity groups to address important needs relevant to academic pathology departments. Chairs can appoint faculty leaders to join the groups listed below. More information and appointment processes can be found by clicking the links below.
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