American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Past President Philip L. Barney, MD, MASCP, has established a scholarship fund through the ASCP Foundation to benefit pathology residents. His gift of $35,000 will enable the ASCP Foundation to award a $500 scholarship annually to an outstanding pathology resident who is active in ASCP. The scholarship is named the Philip and Sandra Barney Resident Volunteer Service Award.
“I have been thinking about establishing a scholarship for a long time as a way to give back to this organization which has played an important role in my life,” says Dr. Barney, now retired and living in Montana. “I felt it was important to recognize the contributions that our resident members make to the Society and to encourage them to continue to be active in the Society.”
In reflecting on his career, Dr. Barney saw how invaluable his involvement in ASCP was, and he hopes that this scholarship will do the same for others early in their careers.
Dr. Barney became an active member of ASCP as a pathology resident at Northwestern University Medical School. He volunteered his time to assist in setting up education sessions and workshops during ASCP Annual Meetings.
“I got involved early on, made friends, developed leadership skills, and benefited from ASCP’s educational programs,” says Dr. Barney. “We were a very close-knit group, those of us who provided support for the ASCP educational programs.”
Back then, ASCP did not have a Resident Council. Residents were called “Junior Members.” After ASCP established a membership category for residents, the Board of Directors decided to have a resident serve on its board. Dr. Barney recalls the first resident who held that position was Lee H. Hilborne, MD, MPH, DLM(ASCP)CM.
“Lee Hilborne went on to become president of ASCP,” Dr. Barney says. “He is an excellent example of someone who became involved in ASCP as a resident and has made tremendous contributions since then.”
Dr. Barney has also made significant contributions to the Society. Following his residency, he was appointed ASCP Deputy Secretary for Membership. His interest and expertise in head and neck pathology followed his fellowship at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Campus, in Washington, DC. While on the faculty at Northwestern University, Dr. Barney was invited by George Stevenson, MD, a professor at Northwestern Medical School and ASCP Director of Educational Programs, to help him put together education on head and neck pathology. Dr. Barney went on to present a one-week ASCP course on head and neck pathology for 15 years, while also presenting half-day workshops at ASCP meetings. During this time, Dr. Barney also assumed additional responsibility as ASCP Deputy Secretary for the Scientific Assembly and Exhibits.
Over the years, he has held numerous leadership positions in ASCP. In 1989, Dr. Barney was elected secretary of the ASCP Board of Directors, serving two terms, and was elected president of the Society in 1997. As Past President, he chaired the ASCP Task Force on Strategic Alliances that resulted in collaboration with the American Proficiency Institute. He also helped initiate the ASCP CheckPath program for anatomic pathology proficiency testing. In 2001, he received the ASCP Distinguished Service Award.
After serving as director of laboratories at Community Medical Center, Missoula, Montana, for 21 years, Dr. Barney retired in 2003, and the laboratory was named in his honor. Dr. Barney subsequently served as vice president for medical affairs at the hospital. In 2021, ASCP presented Dr. Barney with a Mastership, in recognition of his many contributions both to the Society and to the pathology profession.
Today, Dr. Barney continues the lifelong friendships he has made through ASCP, particularly with a group of former ASCP board members. To demonstrate that this distinguished group of seniors still has a lively sense of humor, he revealed that this group jokingly calls themselves the Moose Droolers, an homage to the name of a beer, Moose Drool, that they sampled during one gathering in Montana years ago.
“We still have a lot of fun. These are amazing people who still contribute their talents to the Society and we have good friendship,” he says.
Dr. Barney hopes that others will be inspired to set up scholarships or donate to the Foundation so more young professionals can create their own path in the profession. “It is important that that we encourage younger physicians and laboratory professionals to be involved in their professional home organization,” he says.
Getting involved in a professional organization early on in your career helps set the stage for leadership and growth and helps also develop a workforce that continues to be committed to the profession and patient care.
The Philip and Sandra Barney Resident Volunteer Service Award is now accepting applications until August 25, 2023. Please visit
www.ascp.org/foundation to learn more and apply.
