Laboratory Medicine before ASCP

In the early twenties, clinical pathology was an infant science barely recognized by physicians, generally practiced by internists as an adjunct to their patient practices. But these practitioners strongly believed in the potential of medical laboratory testing to enhance diagnosis and began to band together in various states, particularly Texas and Colorado.

They carved a small niche at the American Medical Association (AMA), but weren't pleased with the minor recognition they received from the Association. Many clinical pathologists believed the only way to gain the acknowledgement they needed was to develop a national organization.

The Society is Formed

Dr. Ward Burdick, who later became the organization’s first Secretary-Treasurer, was a major catalyst for a national group. He and others initiated a letter-writing campaign, soliciting the support of clinical pathologists around the country and inviting them to meet as part of the 1922 AMA Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.

On May 22 at the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium, a group of 39 physicians met to develop what would be named the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Their goal was to “achieve greater scientific proficiency in clinical pathology, and to maintain the status of clinical pathologists on an equal plane with other specialists.”

A constitution and by-laws were drafted overnight, and over 100 physicians attended the second meeting on May 23. Eventually, 145 charter members joined the Society.

Philip Hillkowitz, MD, became the ASCP’s first President; William C. MacCarty, MD, First Vice President; Herbert R Brown, MD, Second Vice President. State Counselors were appointed throughout the country.

ASCP offices were originally housed in Dr. Burdick’s Denver laboratory, where he served the Society until his death in 1928.

ASCP’s Purpose

The young Society's prime objectives were set forth in its constitution:

• To promote the practice of scientific medicine by a wider application of clinical laboratory methods to the diagnosis of disease
• To stimulate original research in all branches of clinical laboratory work
• To establish from time to time uniform standards for the performance of various laboratory examinations
• To elevate the scientific and professional status of those specializing in this branch of medicine
• To encourage a closer cooperation between the practitioner and the clinical pathologist