November 20, 2020- This is a repost from April and May 2020 and is still in effect as we continue to monitor COVID-19.

The American Board of Pathology and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Training Policy

The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) closely monitors the status of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and will provide updates here on the ABPath website, abpath.org. As the situation changes, we will look to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and federal and state officials for guidance.

Our primary concern is for the health and well-being of our candidates, diplomates, staff, and the public. We will keep you informed of any updates.

Pathologists, like all health care professionals, face an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. Some residents may be concerned that mandated quarantines or contracting coronavirus could impact their eligibility for certification. To address these concerns, we have developed the following policy for residents (including fellows):

The American Board of Pathology Announces the National Association of Medical Examiners as a Cooperating Society

TAMPA, Fla., (November 10, 2020) The Trustees of the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) are pleased to announce that the National Association for Medical Examiners (NAME) has been approved as a Cooperating Society of the ABPath. The addition of NAME as an ABPath Cooperating Society was approved at the Fall ABPath Board of Trustees meeting.

ABPath collaborates with their Cooperating Societies to identify and address issues of importance to the profession of pathology. Through these valuable relationships, Cooperating Societies support diplomates in their life-long learning and improvement in practice, their participation in Continuing Certification, and documenting their participation in educational and quality assessment activities. Cooperating Societies of the ABPath also serve in an advisory capacity to the Board regarding issues pertaining to training, education, and certification in Pathology. The Trustees seek input and advice from Cooperating Societies on an ad hoc basis and at the annual spring meeting of the Board of Trustees. The Trustees also solicit nominees from the Cooperating Societies for candidates to fill open Trustee positions.

NAME was founded in 1966 and currently has 1,700 members, including 700 Forensic Pathologists certified by the American Board of Pathology, medicolegal investigators, affiliates such as toxicologists, and administrators.  The organization provides leadership and advocacy for best practices and excellence in forensic pathology and death investigation. The association provides forensic pathology education to its members and stakeholders.  NAME has developed and promulgated internationally recognized forensic autopsy standards, and has a robust accreditation program for medical examiner and coroner offices.  NAME-accredited offices currently serve nearly one half of the United States population. 

The current Cooperating Societies of the American Board of Pathology are:

Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists

American Medical Association Pathology Section Council

American Society for Clinical Pathology

American Society of Cytopathology

American Society for Investigative Pathology

Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology

Association for Molecular Pathology

Association of Pathology Chairs

College of American Pathologists

National Association of Medical Examiners

Society for Hematopathology

Society for Pediatric Pathology

United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

About the American Board of Pathology

The mission of the American Board of Pathology, as a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties, is to serve the public and advance the profession of pathology by setting certification standards and promoting lifelong competency of pathologists. Founded in 1936, the ABPath accomplishes this mission by establishing certification and continuing certification standards and assessing the qualifications of those seeking to obtain voluntary certification in the specialty of pathology. For more information, visit abpath.org or call (813) 286-2444.

ABPath Board of Trustees Soliciting Nominations for New Member

The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) is soliciting nominations for a new member of the Board of Trustees, with the term beginning in 2021.  A nominee with expertise in surgical pathology is being sought. 

The Board of Trustees is comprised of leaders from the pathology profession who are dedicated to upholding the mission of ABPath to serve the public and advance the profession of pathology by setting certification standards and promoting lifelong competency of pathologists. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about setting the highest standards for the profession of pathology.

Below is a letter from Dr. Edward Ashwood, ABPath Secretary, with the qualifications for the position and instructions to submit nominations.  Self-nominations are encouraged and all nominations should be submitted no later than December 30, 2020.

The description of the trustee responsibilities can be seen here:

Trustee Responsibilities

Click the image below to view the pdf

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

The American Board of Pathology Announces Gary W. Procop, MD, MS as Chief Executive Officer in 2022

TAMPA, Fla., (November 4, 2020) - The Trustees of the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) are pleased to announce that Gary W. Procop, MD, MS has been selected as Chief Executive Officer of the ABPath beginning January 1, 2022. In this role, Dr. Procop will oversee all aspects of the ABPath’s initial and continuing certification programs and guide the organization through its successful ongoing program improvements. Dr. Procop will succeed Dr. Rebecca L. Johnson as CEO after a transition period and upon her retirement on December 31, 2021.

Dr. Procop is currently a Medical Director in Clinical Microbiology and an Infectious Disease Pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic. He holds the Belinda Yen-Lieberman PhD and James Lieberman MD Endowed Chair in Clinical Microbiology and is the Director of Molecular Microbiology, Virology, Mycology, and Parasitology laboratories and the Vice Chair for Education. He is past Chair of the Departments of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, and past Section Head for Clinical and Molecular Microbiology. Dr. Procop, as Medical Director of Virology, is responsible for COVID-19 testing at the Cleveland Clinic and was an integral part of an interdisciplinary team resulting in Cleveland Clinic being the first hospital in Ohio to offer COVID-19 testing. The research of Dr. Procop and his team on the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of the five most commonly used rapid tests has been featured on national media and helped spark a closer look at the COVID-19 rapid tests on the market.

“We are very lucky to have Dr. Procop coming on as our new CEO. There are big shoes to fill after Dr. Johnson retires and he is just the right person,” states Steven H. Swerdlow, MD, ABPath President. “He is not only an internationally renowned pathologist with expertise in microbiology but has dedicated his career to dealing with pragmatic issues in the practice of pathology and with the education of our trainees and ongoing education of our diplomates. His many years of service to ABPath, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and other pathology organizations as well as his collegial welcoming personality will stand him in good stead.”

Dr. Procop was a Trustee of the ABPath from 2007-2018 and served as President in 2016, Vice President in 2015 and Secretary in 2013-2014. His responsibilities at the ABPath included Chair of the Test Development and Advisory Committee for Microbiology, the Ethics and Professionalism Committee, and the Maintenance of Certification Committee. In August 2019, he was honored for his many contributions to the ABPath as a Life Trustee. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, and Medical Microbiology.

Dr. Procop received a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University, followed by MD and MS degrees at Marshall University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Duke University Medical Center and fellowship training in Clinical Microbiology at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Procop was a member and recent Chair of the ABMS Committee on Continuing Certification and serves on the ABMS Board of Directors.

About the American Board of Pathology
The mission of the American Board of Pathology, as a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties, is to serve the public and advance the profession of pathology by setting certification standards and promoting lifelong competency of pathologists.

Founded in 1936, the ABPath accomplishes this mission by establishing certification and continuing certification standards and assessing the qualifications of those seeking to obtain voluntary certification in the specialty of pathology. For more information, visit abpath.org or call (813) 286-2444.