The objectives are stated in the Articles of Incorporation as follows:
"The Academy is dedicated to the advancement of Pathology. To achieve the
objectives and purposes for which the Academy is organized, it shall:
- Disseminate knowledge relevant to human, veterinary and comparative pathology by means of educational programs and publications;
- Promote research in pathology;
- Publish information dealing with pathology and related disciplines;
- Convene meetings and congresses for the exchange of scientific information and ideas; and
- Organize symposia, workshops, seminars, courses, conferences and other forums to serve the educational needs of pathologists."
On October 14, 1986 the Council of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
established the Bylaws, which were amended on March 14, 1995 by vote of the
membership.
Qualifications for Membership
Regular Members must possess: (a) the degree of Doctor of medicine
or its international equivalent and a minimum of four (4) years of training and experience in pathology,
or (b) a doctorate, or its international equivalent, in veterinary medicine, in dentistry, or in an
allied biologic science, with training and experience commensurate with (a).
Sustaining Members possess the qualifications of regular members and in addition foster the
objectives of the Academy by additional annual financial contributions.
Junior Members must: (a) have satisfied the same educational degree
requirements as regular members, and (b) be actively engaged in formal training in pathology. Junior
Membership is limited to the period of formal training, usually not to exceed five (5) years.
Emeritus Members are members who have been in good standing in the Academy for a minimum of
five (5) years and who: (a) have attained the approximate age of 65 years and have retired from gainful
employment in the practice of pathology, or (b) have retired due to illness or disability.
Honorary Members are persons identified by the Council because of exceptional meritorious
achievement in medicine, especially pathology.
Educational Activities
The Academy conducts two annual educational meetings: a major scientific meeting and an update course,
"Diagnostic Pathology". Membership in the Academy conveys substantial discounts in registration fees at
these meetings.
Annual Major Scientific Meeting
This annual week-long meeting is held in the late winter or early spring. It regularly attracts
3000 pathologists from the United States and Canada, as well as several hundred scientists from abroad.
The scientific and educational composition of the program reflects the above-stated mission of the
Academy, with the following format:
Platform and Poster Sessions: These are major forums for the presentation of original papers that
deal with recent advances in pathology, both in areas of utilitarian information and in basic science.
The objective is to foster informed discussion in a relaxed atmosphere.
Long Course: The annual Long Course provides an in-depth review of recent advances in the
pathology and pathobiology of a specific organ system or disease process. This day-long presentation
introduces new concepts in biology and disease and bridges them with the practical needs of
hospital-based pathologists.
Short Courses: A series of half-day "Short Courses" is conducted by educators, selected and
rotated, to present "state-of-the-art" concepts on timely aspects of the many sub-disciplines of
pathology. The objectives of these courses are: to update basic science information and concepts, to
provide an understanding of current techniques and procedures that relate to pathology, and foremost, to
broaden the professional competency of attendees.
Special Courses: These day-long didactic courses are structured to provide pathologists with
in-depth knowledge of advanced scientific techniques and methodologies.
Specialty Conferences: The evening Specialty Conferences have a case presentation format wherein
highly experienced faculties discuss current diagnostic problems and methodologies.
The Maude Abbott Lecture is a prestigious, scholarly, scientific lecture. It is presented by a
recognized person in contemporary pathology who has contributed to the advancement of pathology in the
areas of teaching, research or practice. This lectureship was established in memory of Maude Abbott, a
founding member and the initial secretary of the Academy for 33 years.
Nathan Kaufman Timely Topics Lecture: This plenary lecture regularly concerns a major area of
scientific interest and concern to pathologists.
Companion Meetings: National societies, associations, and "clubs" in the subdisciplines of
pathology, hold their half-day scientific programs in companionship with the Academy. Their
presentations richly supplement the Academy's program. Current participating societies are:
Update Course - "Diagnostic Pathology"
This five and a half-day course is focused upon the Art and Science of today's diagnostic anatomic pathology, with presentations and discussions conducted by a highly experienced faculty. It addresses the scientific and utilitarian needs of hospital-based pathologists; it broadens the educational experience of residents and it provides a general in-depth review for the specialized academician. The time, place, and format are selected to unite learning, relaxation and camaraderie in a setting where participants and faculty have the opportunity to interact constructively and informally.
Update Course - "Diagnostic Cytopathology"
"Diagnostic Cytopathology" is an advanced two and a half-day course
designed to provide pragmatic, problem-solving knowledge for practicing
cytopathologists and anatomic pathologists. It addresses the resolution
of diagnostic pitfalls relative to each of the major organ systems
studied by cytopathology/FNA. Six distinguished faculty are present with
an extensive handout and CD-ROM of images distributed to the attendees.
Update Course - "Practical Pathology Seminars"
A new offering: Practical Pathology Seminars. This two and a half day, week-end course is designed to
provide updated, pragmatic, problem-solving information for practicing anatomic pathologists. A
comprehensive syllabus and a CD-ROM for each topiccovered will be available for registrants.
Awards and Honors
The F.K. Mostofi Distinguished Service Award was established as a tribute to the long and
distinguished service of Doctor F. K. Mostofi to the Academy. The Award is presented annually to a
member of the Academy who has rendered outstanding service to USCAP. The Award consists of a bronze
plaque.
The Council's Distinguished Pathologist Award recognizes distinguished service over a
period of years to the development of the discipline of pathology. The award consists of an illuminated
certificate.
The Benjamin Castleman Award is sponsored by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the
United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology. It is financed by contributions from a fund established
by Dr. Castleman's former students and trainees. The award is granted in recognition of an outstanding
paper in the field of human pathology published in English during the previous calendar year. The
recipient is a pathologist or pathologist-in-training who has not yet reached his/her 40th birthday. The
award consists of a framed certificate and $1,000.
The F. Stephen Vogel Award is awarded in recognition of an outstanding paper by a resident or fellow
published in one of the Academy's two journals, Modern Pathology or Laboratory Investigation, during the
preceding calendar year. The Awardee must be a member in good standing of the USCAP for at least a year
prior to receiving the award, possess an MD or international equivalent degree and be a
Pathologist-in-Training in a program accredited for residency training at the time the scientific
investigation on which the article is based was started and substantially completed. Applicants should
be first author or document a significant contribution to the paper. The prize consists of a check for
$1000 and a certificate.
The Young Investigator Award: This award is granted to a member of USCAP, below the age of
45, in recognition of a productive scientific career that has contributed in a major way to the
understanding of the pathogenesis of a human disease. The award consists of a plaque and a check for
$5,000.
The Stowell-Orbison Awards for Pathologists-in-Training are granted in recognition of
scientific achievement by young pathologists while in training. Four awards of $250 each acknowledge the
best papers presented as posters at each annual meeting. In addition to these cash awards, a limited
number of Certificates of Merit are also presented. This award program was established in recognition of
Drs. Robert Stowell and Lowell Orbison, former Presidents of the Academy, who encouraged the furtherance
of investigative careers among young pathologists.
Autopsy Award for Pathologists-in-Training: This award is co-sponsored by the Association
of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology and USCAP. It is granted to a pathologist-in-training
for the best scientific poster based on autopsy material presented at the annual meeting. The award
consists of $250.
Publications
The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology publishes two journals: Laboratory
Investigation and Modern Pathology. Receipt of one of these journals is
forthcoming with dues payment; members may subscribe to both with a small additional payment.
Laboratory Investigation is devoted to the publication of current research that
significantly advances the understanding of human and experimental disease. Papers devoted to basic
biology are published with a perspective of relevance to experimental or clinical aspects of disease.
Technical methodologies are featured when they have potential to further knowledge of disease.
Publication is monthly.
Modern Pathology features diagnostic anatomic pathology and, as such, has a utilitarian
orientation. It contains original scientific papers, selected short courses, appropriate special
lectures, reviews, editorials, letters to the editor, and Academy News. In many ways, it reflects the
didactic composition of the Academy's annual meeting. Publication is monthly.
Directory of Members, is an electonic volume, formatted both alphabetically and geographically,
with contemporary information about members of the Academy. It is supplied annually without charge to
the membership.
International Pathology - the International newsletter of the IAP is sent to each member of
the Academy on a quarterly basis. This publication contains news about activities of divisions around
the world and information about past and future Congresses.
Governance
The official activities of USCAP are defined and administered by the Council. This elected body of
fourteen (14) includes the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Past-President and
Secretary-Treasurer and an additional nine (9) members who hold office in a rotational format with three
(3) year terms.
For further information contact:
United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
3643 Walton Way Extension
Augusta, GA 30909
Phone: (706) 733-7550
Fax: (706) 733-8033
Email: iap@uscap.org
