The American Society for Clinical Pathology urges pathologists and laboratory professionals to contact Congress in support of two bipartisan measures addressing the nation’s physician shortage: the Resident Physician Shortage Act and the Doctors in Our Borders Act. These bills would expand medical residency positions and increase visa waivers for international physicians, helping to improve patient access to care, especially in underserved areas. Read more. 

ASCP Seeks Exemption to Student Loan Limits for Pathologists and Laboratory Professionals 

ASCP is urging the federal government to exempt medical and other health professions students from new federal loan limits. They argue that the restrictions, enacted under President Trump’s budget and tax bill, could worsen workforce shortages in rural and underserved areas. Read more.  

Dr. Katerina Kearns Elected as Resident and Fellow Section Alternate Delegate to AMA House of Delegates 

ASCP is pleased to announce that Katerina Kearns, MD, has been elected as the Resident and Fellow Section Alternate Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates at the 2025 Annual Meeting. In this role, she will represent trainees in national policy discussions and help raise the visibility of pathology and laboratory medicine across the medical community. Read more. 

Medicare Physician and Laboratory Fee Schedules Need Reform, ASCP Argues 

ASCP submitted comments to CMS opposing proposed payment cuts in the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including a -2.5 percent efficiency adjustment and a 7 percent reduction for hospital-based services, which would heavily impact pathologists. ASCP also raised concerns about cuts to the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, warning that up to 820 test codes could be reduced by 15 percent and urged updates to PAMA’s outdated data reporting periods to reflect inflation. Read more.  

ASCP Supports Common Fellowship Application Timeline 

Several pathology subspecialties, including Hematopathology, Molecular Genetic Pathology, Forensic Pathology, and Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology, have joined the NRMP fellowship match for 2026–2027, with more subspecialties nearing eligibility. ASCP has endorsed a statement from the Association for Academic Pathology supporting a common fellowship timeline, with the goal of broad participation in a 2027 match for the 2028–2029 academic year. Read more.  

Attend ASCP 2025 in Atlanta! 

Join the medical laboratory community at the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, November 17-20. ASCP is a global leader in providing premier educational opportunities for pathologists and laboratory professionals at every stage of their careers. With expert-led sessions, attendees can build skills, access high-quality learning and learn more about advocacy efforts to benefit the laboratory and patient care. ASCP 2025 also offers valuable networking opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share perspectives with peers worldwide. Learn more. 

• ASCP strongly supports efforts to develop a common fellowship application timeline 

• Many pathology subspecialty fellowship programs’ application timelines are now in alignment

• ASCP’s opposed cuts to Medicare reimbursement for pathology, laboratory services 

• ASCP urged CMS to reimburse providers for software expenses, such as AI, algorithms, etc. 

• ASCP asked the Agency to reduce the regulatory burden of the Quality Payment Program 

On September 12, ASCP submitted formal comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), urging changes to its CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. ASCP opposed the agency’s proposal to impose a triennial efficiency adjustment of -2.5 percent on most physician services and a site of service payment differential that could reduce hospital-based (facility) payments by 7 percent. ASCP urged CMS to work with Congress to secure an annual update to address rising costs.  

The efficiency update would have had a significant impact on pathologists. A recent report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission identified pathologists as one of 9 medical specialties with at least 60 percent of providers furnishing 90 percent or more of their services in a facility setting.   

In addition, ASCP outlined support for a request for information on whether and how to provide reimbursement for software, such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, etc., used in the provision of medical services.   

ASCP also raised concern about the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS). In past years, Congress, which recognized serious flaws with the Agency’s payment rate setting methodology for the CLFS, has blocked CMS from cutting these payment rates. Since it is unclear whether Congress will do so again this year, ASCP urged the agency not to cut this fee schedule by the full amounts allowed under Section 216 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act.   

An estimated 820 test codes could be cut by as much as 15 percent. ASCP also urged the agency to update PAMA’s data collection and reporting periods from 2019/2020 to 2026/2027, noting that using such old data would amount to a significant cut given the amount of inflation that has occurred since 2019 is approximately 28 percent.  

Lastly, ASCP weighed in on CMS’s Quality Payment Program/Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), urging the agency to reduce the compliance burden on physicians. ASCP signaled its support for the newly developed Pathology MIPS Value Pathway but urged that reporting be incentivized rather than mandated. ASCP also joined with the AMA and other medical societies in a recent letter on the quality payment program.  

• ASCP Member Katerina Kearns, MD, has been elected by the AMA House of Delegates as the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Alternate Delegate 

• In addition to serving as an AMA Alternate Delegate, Dr. Kearns serves as an ASCP Resident Council Member and is a Gynecologic Pathology Fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital 

ASCP is proud to announce the election of Katerina Kearns, MD, as the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) Alternate Delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD)—confirmed at the 2025 AMA Annual Meeting in June. 

This endorsement reflects ASCP’s ongoing commitment to cultivating leadership within the pathology and laboratory medicine community. Dr. Kearns will represent the interests of trainees and residents in national policy discussions, helping to shape the future of medicine through her participation in the HOD. This role extends beyond the Pathology Section Council, offering a broader platform to elevate the visibility and influence of pathology and laboratory medicine across the wider medical community. 

ASCP has long been a driving force in representing pathologists’ interests at the AMA, with its delegation actively shaping discussions on critical issues such as artificial intelligence in healthcare, diagnostic integrity, and workforce sustainability. We look forward to continued collaboration with the AMA and other medical specialties to ensure that pathology remains a vital voice in healthcare. 

ASCP is urging the federal government to exempt medical students and students from other health professions from new limits on the amount of Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans they can borrow. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, ASCP and 27 other medical societies, universities, and hospitals banded together to urge the federal government to help address persistent health workforce shortages across rural and other underserved communities. 

In July, Congress enacted President Trump’s signature budget and tax bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which imposed major cuts and restrictions on student loan programs. The measure eliminates the GradPLUS program, used by 40 percent of medical students, and imposes limits on the amount of financial aid a student can borrow. The legislation sets a lifetime cap of $100,000 for students seeking master’s degrees and $200,000 for doctoral, medical, and professional degrees. 

Given that federal student loan programs are critical to workforce development, ASCP is concerned that the new limits could deter individuals from seeking careers as pathologists and laboratory professionals. According to the Education Data Initiative, medical school graduates exceed the loan caps, as they average about $240,000 in student loan debt. The American Association of Medical Colleges reports that the average cost of attending a private medical school is $390,848 compared to $286,454 for in-state public medical school.   

For more about changes in store for federal student loan programs, click here

The American Society for Clinical Pathology is asking pathologists and laboratory professionals to urge Congress to address a shortage of pathologists and other physicians. Pathologists and laboratory professionals are critical members of the patient care team and shortages affecting both of these professionals can impact access to the quality medical services needed to optimize patient care.    

WE need YOUR help to get Congress to enact two ASCP-supported bipartisan measures aimed at reducing the shortage of physicians in the United States and improving patient access to medical care:   

• The Resident Physician Shortage Act 

• The Doctors in our Borders Act    

According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States faces a projected physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, with demand for physicians currently exceeding supply. As the population continues to age and requires more medical care, it is critical to ensure there are enough physicians to care for those who need physician services.   

The Resident Physician Shortage Act would expand the number of Medicare-supported medical residency positions by 14,000 over the next seven years. The Doctors in our Boarders Act would expand the Conrad 30 program by increasing the number of waivers a state or regional commission can provide from 30 to 100.  The Conrad program allows a waiver of the J-1 visa’s two-year home residency requirement for physicians agreeing to work in rural or underserved areas. 

Click here to make your voice heard!

• Legislation reforming how Medicare pays for laboratory tests has been introduced in Congress 

• The new bill would relieve laboratories of the burden of reporting private payer payment data 

Legislation to reform the way the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) calculates clinical laboratory payment rates has been introduced in Congress. The bill seeks to address flaws in the way CMS developed its current method of establishing payment rates. Congress tasked CMS with developing payment rates that reflected the market rate for these services. 

The new legislation would relieve clinical laboratories of the burden of reporting private payer payment rates and the associated volume. Instead, CMS would use data from a “qualifying independent claims data entity” to calculate new median payment rates. Much of the old PAMA structure would remain in place, including requiring CMS to develop volume-weighted median payment rates and capping cuts at 15 percent annually.  

The measure, called the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act, was introduced by U.S. Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Scott Peters (D-CA), and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA). ASCP leaders are currently reviewing the legislation. 

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the Panel of National Pathology Leaders (PNPL) have established a new strategic partnership that underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to advancing the future of pathology and laboratory medicine by empowering leaders, fostering innovation, and enhancing patient care. 

PNPL is a national forum of pathology leaders from academic and community practices who convene to share insights, strategies, and resources including white papers, Micro Highlights, Part A Handbook for Hospital Negotiations, and the National Pathologists’ Productivity Report for addressing the most pressing challenges in the field.  

As a renowned provider of world-class education and advocacy on behalf of the entire laboratory community, ASCP is driven by its mission and commitment to providing its members with the tools they need to provide the highest quality patient care.  

Together, these two organizations can provide valuable resources and perspectives that can help pathologists and medical laboratories meet the needs of an ever-changing healthcare landscape.  

“ASCP has always firmly believed in the power of collaboration to advance the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine,” says Alexandra Brown, MD, FASCP, Interim Chief Executive Officer of ASCP. “Creating a partnership with the Panel of National Pathology Leaders allows us to expand that vision and create new space for our members to grow as leaders, exchange ideas, and drive impactful change that extends beyond the laboratory.”  

As part of this partnership, ASCP and PNPL will collaborate on several key initiatives. Through these initiatives, members of both organizations will benefit from expanded opportunities to learn, grow, and connect, whether through innovative education, leadership development, or the exchange of forward-thinking ideas that will shape the next era of pathology and patient care. 

Co-Founder and PNPL Panelist Robert Tessier notes, “ASCP and PNPL share a vision of strengthening the leadership and impact of pathology in today’s healthcare system,” adding: “By combining ASCP’s broad reach and educational resources with PNPL’s focus on innovation and collaboration, this partnership creates a powerful platform to help pathologists navigate change, explore solutions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.” 

This collaboration reflects the shared goal of ASCP and PNPL to foster innovation and progress in pathology and laboratory medicine. As forward-looking strategies and diverse perspectives converge and leaders come together, the foundation of pathology and laboratory medicine as the cornerstone of care not only strengthens but also evolves to meet the demands of tomorrow’s healthcare landscape.  

About ASCP 
Founded in 1922 in Chicago, ASCP is a medical professional society with more than 100,000 member board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologists, pathology residents and fellows, laboratory professionals, and students. ASCP provides excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals. To learn more, visit http://www.ascp.org. Follow us on X and connect with us on Facebook. 

About PNPL 
The Panel of National Pathology Leaders (PNPL), established in 2021, brings together business leaders in pathology and laboratory medicine to advance innovation in the field and improve patient outcomes. PNPL achieves this through collaboration, focus groups on key issues such as integrative diagnostics, digital pathology and AI, peer networking teams for C-suite executives, data mining and benchmarking, and practical, hands-on resources, including toolkits and reports. To learn more, visit www.pathleaders.org, and follow us on LinkedIn. 

Learn about key updates from the past year and engage in the governance of the American Society for Clinical Pathology at the 103rd Annual Business Meeting, taking place on Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Held in conjunction with the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting (November 17–20), this session offers members an opportunity to stay informed and involved in the Society’s direction. 

Details regarding the ASCP Annual Business Meeting, including Board of Directors nominations and election information, are available here. 

ASCP is developing a strategy that focuses on expanding exposure to pathology through education pathways, enhancing recruitment and retention, integrating innovation into practice, and leveraging workforce data to inform planning. Without timely investment and strategic coordination, the pathology workforce risks a critical shortfall that could compromise diagnostic care and patient outcomes. 

“Data show that we will need approximately 3,000 more pathologists by 2037,” says Edna Garcia, MPH, ASCP Director Scientific Engagement and Research, who is overseeing the pathology workforce initiative. “We only have about 600 pathologists entering the profession each year, and that is not sufficient.”  

In support of pathology workforce development, ASCP has created two new resources which includes an infographic showing data about the current status of the pathology profession in the United States, and a four-page document titled, What does a pathologist do? These materials are designed to support pathology residency program directors, medical school course directors, and ASCP members, including Ambassadors, to share when they give presentations to medical students and students interested in going to medical school.  

The infographic presents data on the number of pathologists in the United States, compensation, and projected demand, while the accompanying four-page document offers an in-depth look at the pathologist profession.    

Building awareness of the profession  

“The goal is to introduce the field of pathology to students early on,” says Savanah Gisriel, MD, MPH, Chair of the ASCP Resident Council. “While pathology courses are incorporated into the preclinical years of medical school, many medical students already know which specialty they are choosing before they get to this point (and they may have not even known pathology was an option before deciding on a specialty). That's why we need to raise visibility of pathology earlier, such as during undergraduate education or even high school."    

The workforce shortage has become critical in recent years. Baby boomers are retiring, there are ongoing supply deficits of individuals entering the profession, and limited public visibility, according to Anna Owczarczyk, MD, PhD, FASCP, Chair-elect of the ASCP Pathology Council. “Many of us acutely feel the short staffing in our day-to-day jobs. Young learners need to be made aware of the phenomenal opportunities in our field. Pathology no longer wants to be the “hidden gem” within medicine!”  

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a 7 percent decline in the supply of pathologists and a 16-percent increase in demand by 2037. Rural areas are predicted to have only 20 percent supply adequacy. Although the number of pathology resident placements per year has fluctuated, it consistently hovers around 600—far below the projected demand of 700 to 840 additional pathologists in the near future.  

Meanwhile, rapid technological advancements are reshaping diagnostic practice, requiring pathologists to be adaptive and forward looking.  

Next steps  

“It all boils down to awareness of the profession,” Dr. Owczarczyk explains. “There is a common misconception that pathologists do not interact with patients,” she adds. “Our resources seek to dispel these misconceptions and make the public aware of the vital contributions that pathologists make in health care.”  

“The pathology workforce faces challenges that are distinct from the laboratory professional workforce,” says ASCP Interim CEO Ali Brown, MD, FASCP. “ASCP’s Blueprint for Action outlines targeted interventions for medical laboratory professionals, many of which are relevant to pathologists. However, a dedicated, data-driven strategy tailored specifically to pathology is essential to ensure a sustainable, diverse, and well-trained pathologist workforce.”  

Learn more about ASCP’s workforce initiatives here. 

ASCP members have identified their top 10 concerns within each of their professions, according to the results of the annual ASCP Hot Topics membership survey.    

The leaders of the ASCP Pathologist Council and the ASCP Resident Council recently talked about which concerns to prioritize and how they will address them.   

"We were pleased to get such a strong response from our members, and I know that the Resident Council, under the leadership of our incoming chair, will be tackling these issues in the coming year,” says Savanah D. Gisriel, MD, MPH , FASCP, Resident Council Chair. “The ASCP Resident Council's main goal is to amplify the voices of pathology residents and fellows. The best way for us to do that is by understanding their concerns and advocating for positive changes in our profession.” 

Resident Council concerns 

Top concerns among residents and fellows are job searches, salary benchmarks, and contract negotiations.   

Sri Bharathi Kavuri, MD, Chair-elect of the Resident Council, says the council is gearing up to address some of these issues in the coming year. “The top priorities are very clear. As a freshly graduated fellow navigating my own first job contract right now, I completely understand how overwhelming and important these steps can feel,” she says.   

To kick things off, the Resident Council will co-host a roundtable with the Pathologist Council in September, titled Navigating Your Career as a New-in-Practice Pathologist. The panelists, all of whom have recently made this transition, will share practical advice and lessons learned.   

Also in collaboration with the Pathologist Council, the Resident Council will be developing a “New in Practice” toolkit, covering everything from job transitions and contract guidance to CME maintenance for medical licenses.   

Another area of focus will be laboratory directorship, a much-overlooked skill that nearly every pathologist will need early in their career, according to Dr. Kavuri. “We hope to continue our Ask Me Anything sessions on the Resident Council community page in the ASCP Communities, giving residents a chance to connect directly with peers and mentors.”  

Later, the Council will address professional growth, including public speaking and teaching skills. The Resident Council has a full agenda in the year ahead so keep an eye on announcements via social media and the online community.  

Hot topics for pathologists 

Pathologists want to stay on top of advances in pathology and subspecialty areas as well as new research. Each year, the Pathologist Council develops a set of SMART goals, which means specific, measurable, achievable and relevant. “One of our SMART goals this past year evolved around creating educational content for pathologists, and to help them stay abreast of new developments,” says Pathologist Council Chair-elect Anna Owczarczyk, MD, PhD, FASCP. “The Pathologist Council, in collaboration with the Resident Council, is creating content for social media dissemination which will target individual pathology subspecialties. 

Another topic to address is leveraging digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice. The Council is hosting a roundtable on this topic for early February 2026, featuring a panel of digital pathology/AI experts.  

“We knew, as a group, that is important and the survey results indicate that as well. We cannot ignore AI. It is already here, and there are a lot of health institutions that are already using it. We need to embrace it to make our ever increasing workload more efficient and manageable,” Dr. Owczarczyk says. 

She emphasized that the results of the Hot Topics survey give the Pathologist council mission and purpose. “We are not undertaking these projects just for ourselves, but for our members who have indicated these are critical topics in their professions that really need to be addressed,” she says. 

For example, in the previous year, many of the identified hot topics revolved around matters critical to those who are early in their practices. This led to the council’s work on the “New in Practice” toolkit which they hope will go live soon. 

Watch for updates from the Pathologist Council and the Resident Council on social media and the ASCP Online Communities! 

ASCP members have identified their top 10 concerns within each of their professions, according to the results of the annual ASCP Hot Topics membership survey.     

The leaders of the Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) and the CLMA Council, which focuses on laboratory management, recently talked about which concerns to prioritize and how they will address them.   

“It is very important that we get this timely feedback. It identifies how we, as a professional society, can better serve our members’ needs,” says Brittany Teeter, MS, CLS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Chair-elect of the CLMA Council.  

CLMA issues: Competency guidelines and team morale 

Ensuring that laboratory professionals, particularly new hires, meet competency guidelines is a top concern among most laboratory managers and supervisors, according to Ms. Teeter. Another is addressing laboratory team morale.    

“The first thing I do as a CAP laboratory inspector is pull all the files of new hires and randomly select 10 files to review and see if their documentation is complete. Were they assessed for competency? More often than not, no one signed off on it,” she says. “This is important because we want to make sure we are providing quality services.”   

Some institutions address this by assigning a staff member to ensure competency assessments are conducted. Also, laboratories need to use a software system that effectively tracks competency requirements. Ms. Teeter says the CLMA Council can begin to address this by discussing this topic with members via the ASCP online community and during CLMA roundtables.   

As for laboratory team morale, Ms. Teeter says, “I now teach the next generation of laboratory professionals and team morale is critical. I have seen these guys get really down on themselves, and they need a boost to get through the day. They approach things as a group; they lean on one another as a group and they expect to continue that group approach when they enter the workforce.” 

Addressing that issue may involve providing opportunities for laboratory teams to come together for snack breaks during the day, which helps break down barriers that can help new hires and others feel like they are part of the team, or bringing in therapy animals to interact with the team during short breaks. Even providing the Gen Z staff members with the opportunity to take the lead in planning annual Laboratory Week activities, with mentorship and guidance, can help them feel more involved, she says.     

Laboratory professionals’ hot topics 

Demonstrating their value on the healthcare team to other healthcare professionals and patients is the top concern among laboratory professionals. They also want to improve workplace culture; address the workforce shortage; advocate for commensurate compensation; and identify opportunities for career growth.  

CLP Chair-elect Melody Boudreaux Nelson, DCLS, CC(NRCC), MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, commented on the importance of demonstrating the value of the laboratory profession. “Comprehensive and coordinated care emphasizes teamwork and a shared responsibility for the health and well-being of patients. Now is the time for laboratories to study our value in healthcare—what it means, how to apply it, and where we, as laboratory professionals, intersect with other care models.” 

CLP Chair Laura Severs, MHA, MLS(ASCP), QLS, CLHP, appreciates the robust feedback that the Council of Laboratory Professionals has received from the Hot Topics survey.

“The voice of our members is central to everything that ASCP does,” she says. “Specifically, the Council of Laboratory Professionals represents a broad and multifaceted community. We use this survey as a tool to give us direct insight into the issues and trends that matter most to laboratory professionals across all specialties.”  

From this data, the CLP will craft a roadmap identifying where to focus its energy and resources. “By listening carefully to our members, we are able to design initiatives that are responsive. This includes creating relevant and timely educational opportunities, developing best practice resources, or amplifying awareness around a pressing issue in our field,” says Ms. Severs.  

“Our goal is to ensure that every laboratory professional feels supported, heard, and equipped with the tools they need to succeed, no matter their specialty or practice setting,” she adds. “With our updated Hot Topic list, be on the lookout in the coming year for innovative Round Table series, tools and resources for advocacy, and much more.”   

Watch for updates from the CLMA Council and CLP Council on social media and the ASCP Online Communities! 

ASCP 2025, to be held Nov. 17-20 in Atlanta, GA, will host renowned experts in their fields who will share their insights and challenge us to reshape conventional wisdom during the named lectures. These visionaries will equip you with the skills to make a difference in serving your profession.  

Paul Farmer Lecture: Around Laboratories of the World in 60 Minutes 

Having diagnostic capability is imperative to be able to treat patients. However, not all countries have the same diagnostic capabilities that healthcare professionals are accustomed to in developed nations. Understanding the underpinnings of what happens in laboratories around world is paramount to advocating for improvements. The presentation will 1) Compare the diagnostic capabilities as they happen in different countries based on prevalence of diseases; 2) Evaluate vertical and horizontal programs that funding agencies provide; and 3) Consider the World Health Organization essential diagnostics list and its importance for different countries.  

Dr. Guarner is vice chair of Faculty Affairs and Development at the Emory University School of Medicine, where she is also a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.  

The late Dr. Paul Farmer founded Partners in Health, a nonprofit that serves impoverished areas around the globe. He was a strong advocate for pathology and laboratory medicine and believed the laboratory was the linchpin to advancing care in underserved populations. 

Barbara M. Castleberry Lecture for Laboratory Professionals: My Journey in Advocacy—Why OUR Voices Matter! 

Dr. Rohde will share his personal path from microbiologist to global public health and medical laboratory advocacy, revealing how one voice can spark change and how many voices together can transform communities. Drawing from his lengthy experience in public health, education, and science communication, Dr. Rohde will offer lessons learned and strategies for using one’s own expertise to influence policy.   

Dr. Rohde is the Regents' Professor and chair of the Medical Laboratory Science program at Texas State University and the associate director for the Texas State University Translational Health Research Center. He is also a clinical assistant professor (joint appointment) in the Clinical Laboratory Science program at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Allied Health Sciences.  

This lecture is named for Barbara M. Castleberry PhD, MT(ASCP) former longtime vice president of the Board of Registry, now the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC). Through her leadership, Dr. Castleberry strategically positioned the BOC for the competitiveness of the 21st century. 

Michele D. Raible Lecture for Residents: Preclinical Medical Education: A Low-Power Approach 

This lecture reviews the history of pre-medical education in the United States and highlights how Dr. Sattar intersected with these historical trends to develop a pathology textbook and video series (Pathoma) that are commonly used by medical students across the globe. Emphasis is placed on key themes in hopes of inspiring attendees to identify opportunities and make contributions in their respective areas of expertise. 

Dr. Sattar is a surgical pathologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, with a particular expertise in breast and gynecologic pathology. He is the associate director of the clinical pathophysiology and therapeutics course at the Pritzker School of Medicine, where he serves as a dedicated instructor, advisor and mentor to second-year medical students. He also teaches a pathology review course that he developed.   

The Michele D. Raible Lecture honors Dr. Raible’s commitment to delivering superior medical education and creating a lasting impact on the lives of medical students during her career. 

Cindy Johns Lecture: Artificial Intelligence Versus Laboratory Instinct: What will the Future Hold? 

Laboratory personnel have many strengths, including a strong instinct regarding sources of error in testing. Will the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in patient care impact how diagnosis is determined? Ms. Castellone will explore whether implementation of AI in patient care will impact how diagnosis is determined. This session will explore laboratory issues and problem solving using possible AI versus laboratory professionals’ “gut feeling” approaches.    

Ms. Castellone is the supervisor of special coagulation and the quality assurance manager for specialty testing at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and an adjunct professor at SUNY Stony Brook, New York.   

The late Cindy Johns, MSA, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)^CMSH^CM, a longtime ASCP member who passed away in 2017 after a lengthy battle with cancer. A champion for laboratory medicine, Ms. Johns worked tirelessly as an ASCP volunteer for more than 30 years.   

Arthur Purdy Stout for Pathologists: Diagnostic Challenges and Pitfalls in Prostrate Pathology: From Selected Subtypes of Prostrate Cancer to Secondary Tumors 

Prostate specimens (biopsies and resections/prostatectomies) are frequently encountered in both academic and community practices and continue to pose diagnostic challenges. A systematic approach will be used to analyze a select group of prostate cancer cases with unusual morphologic features. In addition, a subset of secondary tumors involving the prostate will be reviewed with emphasis on potential diagnostic pitfalls. Historical insights, literature review, and differential diagnoses will also be discussed. 

An internationally recognized expert, Dr. Osunkoya specializes in urological and genitourinary pathology and the diagnosis of bladder, kidney, testicular and prostate cancers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Osunkoya is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Urology at Emory University School of Medicine.  

Arthur Purdy Stout (1885-1967) was an American surgeon and pathologist. He was a pioneer in developing the science of relating the tissues removed during surgery to the expected course of an illness, especially tumor pathology.  

Learn about the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting and register at www.ascp.org/2025.  

Next-generation sequencing methods and multi-gene panels have entered clinical practice. Learn how genomic pathology impacts your career as a pathologist or laboratory professional during the TRIG Workshop: Genomics 101: Practical Information for Patient Care on Monday, November 17. 

The TRIG Workshop is one of several workshops that will take place the day before the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting kicks off, Nov. 18-20, in Atlanta. As you plan your schedule for the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting, be sure to check out these additional “Deep Dive” Workshops which offer a valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and put into immediate use when you return home to your laboratory.  

This additional programming will be available to anyone who is registered for the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting and will offer 4 CME/CMLE credits upon completion. Below is an overview of these Deep Dive Workshops: 

The TRIG Workshop 

Presenters Bijal Parikh, MD, FASCP, and Richard Haspel, MD, FASCP, use a case-based, interactive small-group approach, allowing participants to learn introductory principles related to the use of genomic assays and interpretation of results. The workshop will also include practical hands-on instruction with the use of online genomic pathology tools. Drs. Parikh and Haspel are both members of a national committee made up of experts in molecular pathology, medical education, and medical genetics. Learn more and register here.  

NAACLS Fall 2025 Hybrid Workshop 

This session, titled Accreditation Accelerator: Fast Track Your Compliance Confidence, will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 17. This presentation will focus on the individual accreditation standards and offer practical advice and examples for creating the Self-Study Report and hosting the Site Visit. Presenters Jennifer Knight, MLS(ASCP)CM and James March Mistler, MLS(ASCP)CM will provide recommendations on how to avoid common mistakes and citations and highlight awards and follow-up reports.  

The objectives will be for participants to 1.) recognize the rationale of each standard and how it impacts program accreditation; 2.) Review frequently cited standards, identifying common areas of non-compliance and best practices for adherence; and 3.) Identify proactive strategies and resources available to comply with the 2024 Standards. Please note, this workshop is separate from the ASCP Annual Meeting. Registration must be processed through NAACLS here.  

Society of Black Pathology Day of Culture 

This event, from 1-5 p.m. EST, Monday, Nov. 17, will celebrate voices from across the global pathology and laboratory medicine community. Renowned scientists, practitioners, and changemakers will come together to explore shared experiences, collective challenges, and cross-continental solutions within the field. The keynote address, “Resilience Over Resources – Thriving Beyond Challenges,” will set the tone by reframing limitations as opportunities. Learn how pathology professionals across the diaspora are driving innovation, even in under-resourced environments.  

Later, hear from trailblazers who are making real progress on disparities in pathology and laboratory medicine. These 15-minute oral spotlights will showcase research, strategic projects, and on-the-ground efforts happening across multiple sectors of the diaspora.  

The objectives will be for participants to 1.) Explore how culture and context shape medical practice across the diaspora; 2.) Engage in meaningful discussions about health equity and global collaboration; 3.) Build relationships with colleagues from around the world; and 4.) Leave energized and equipped with actionable insights for your organization and community. 

Additional Deep Dive Workshops 

Two other Deep Dive Workshops include “Turning Laboratory Data into Insights: Introduction to the R Programming Language” and “Everyone is a Leader and Even Leaders Need Coaches.” You’ll find information on all of these Nov. 17 sessions here.  

There will also be 10 virtual pre-meeting sessions included in all registrations as well as on-demand recorded sessions that are available as add on options for an additional fee.  

Learn more about all ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting sessions, lodging, events and registration by clicking here! 

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) laboratory is the first laboratory to achieve the Leading Laboratories recognition since the program’s recent relaunch. The Leading Laboratories program, originally open only to laboratories that pass inspection by The Joint Commission, now allows all laboratories to apply for recognition. CMHHIP is the sixth laboratory in the nation to achieve this designation.   

The Leading Laboratories designation recognizes laboratory teams for exemplary leadership, mentorship, and innovative best practices. The designation supports a positive, patient-centric mission, increasing visibility for laboratories and their vital role in a patient’s healthcare journey.   

“We are deeply gratified that national accreditation has recognized the excellence of this laboratory, that was apparent to me from the start,” says A.O. Singleton, III, MD, chief of medical staff at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo.   

Blair Presti, MD, medical director of the laboratory, notes, “This is a well-deserved accreditation recognizing the excellence of the laboratory, its personnel, and its leadership.”  

CMHHIP is a 516-bed acute care psychiatric hospital with a fully functioning laboratory of 12 staff members.   

Christina Bazanele-Sabatka, MLS(ASCP)CM, CMHHIP director of laboratory service, adds, “This designation allows our team to show the laboratory’s success. Throughout this application process, we motivated and lifted one another up to achieve that goal.” 

The impetus to apply for the Leading Laboratories designation began last fall, following an inspection of the laboratory by The Joint Commission. During that time, the auditor expressed high praise for the laboratory department and recommended to the hospital leadership that they apply for Leading Laboratories status.  

“We worked as a team and were put in touch with ASCP, which informed us that we met the criteria to move forward with the application,” Ms. Bazanele-Sabatka explains. “We began the process in December and worked together to finish by May. Throughout the application process, the laboratory team collaborated on group projects and  incorporated staff input on key outcomes, indicators, and metrics in the areas of quality outcomes, professional development, trusted leadership, and laboratory visibility.”   

The CMHHIP Laboratory fosters a collaborative and transparent environment by partnering with medical providers, hospital leadership, community organizations, and staff to enhance quality outcomes. It actively supports employees' professional growth by providing resources and encourages open communication and idea-sharing to facilitate process improvement. Additionally, the laboratory emphasizes visibility and community engagement, aiming to shift perceptions by highlighting the vital role of scientists in patient care, thereby encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of their contributions in a clinical setting.  

Faced with a growing workforce shortage, many laboratory directors nationwide are hiring new employees who may  need guidance on foundational laboratory literacy.  

“Many new hires come in with various levels of knowledge and recall about working in the clinical laboratory. It requires time for laboratory directors and preceptors to train them,” says Kristen Pesavento, EdD, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMMBCM, graduate program director of Medical Laboratory Science, Loyola University Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. “It is even harder for laboratories in rural settings to hire people to fill vacancies and reinforce these basic concepts. The current workforce gap is not just affecting clinical laboratories, but also public health laboratories that are trying to keep up with the demand for testing.”  

To support laboratories and scientists or technicians facing this challenge, ASCP has launched the ASCP Basic Medical Laboratory Skills training package —free virtual education that equips laboratory professionals and future laboratory professionals with foundational skills for working in a medical laboratory.   

This set of six eLearning courses was developed with funding through ASCP’s Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in service of the CDC’s OneLabTM initiative. The six-part series can be taken as an entire package or as individual eLearning courses.  

Members of the ASCP Workforce Steering Committee developed the basic curriculum for this education; individual eLearning courses were developed by numerous ASCP member subject matter experts who hold active medical laboratory roles.    

“The series offers six modules created by ASCP to provide a primer for essential skills, or to serve as a refresher for those already working in the laboratory,” explains Dr. Pesavento, who created the laboratory mathematics and the basic operations of laboratory equipment courses.    

Course topics address laboratory safety, laboratory terminology, laboratory math, basic operations of laboratory equipment, routine procedures, and quality control. The series is available in the ASCP Store and provides 1.0 CMLE credit per course.  

Dr. Pesavento says the workforce shortage was already occurring before the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. As generations of laboratory professionals naturally reached retirement age or sought to leave health care, the demand for scientists and technicians has only increased.   

Though intended to help onboard hires new to the clinical laboratory, this training package would also be ideal for other members of the healthcare team looking to learn core principles of the clinical laboratory, refresher trainings for in-service lab team members, program directors interested in leveraging the course content to supplement their existing training programs, and international laboratory scientists wanting to build additional exposure and confidence in core clinical laboratory concepts in English.   

“If you are working in a clinical laboratory, your work impacts lives. People working in the laboratory need to understand why they are doing certain things, and the ASCP Basic Medical Laboratory Skills series helps to remind us of the fundamental theories behind the testing,” Dr. Pesavento says.   

Access the ASCP Basic Medical Laboratory Skills here.   

ICYMI: ASCP and PLUGS Design Education to Enhance Diagnostic Testing of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is frequently underdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions. To address this, ASCP is partnering with Patient-Centered Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services (PLUGS) to create educational resources that clarify which laboratory tests are most appropriate—and when to use them—for accurate diagnosis and effective management of celiac disease. Read more.  

• ASCP is opposing federal legislation that would authorize pharmacists to practice medicine 

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) joined a host of other medical societies in raising concern in Congress about the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act. This legislation would allow pharmacists to perform Evaluation and Management services for influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat).  

In a letter developed by the American Medical Association (AMA), ASCP joined almost 80 other medical societies in raising concerns with Congressional leaders that evaluation and management services “constitute the practice of medicine and fall well beyond the scope of training of a pharmacist.”  Another concern is that the legislation would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to authorize pharmacists to conduct testing and treatment for any services that “address[es] a public health need related to [a] public health emergency declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act.” The legislation, the letter warned, puts patient safety at risk.  

• ASCP unveils new career resource highlighting the laboratory profession 
• ASCP promotes laboratory profession at American School Counselor Association convention 

In alignment with its ongoing mission to elevate and expand the medical laboratory workforce, the ASCP Workforce Steering Committee (WSC), in collaboration with the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC), has launched a new career resource titled: “Where Can Medical Laboratory Science Take You?”  

This engaging tool offers a comprehensive look at the diverse range of career settings available to medical laboratory professionals, from hospitals and public health agencies to research institutions, biotech, industry, and academia. Designed to complement existing and updated outreach tools, such as ASCP’s Laboratory Career Roadmap and Laboratory Career one-pagers, this resource can help students, educators, and counselors visualize real-world applications of laboratory science and understand the versatility and long-term value of careers in the field. This new tool has been shared with ASCP’s network of Ambassadors to increase their ability to inform and inspire the next generation of laboratorians across all engagement settings. 

ASCP also recently participated in the 2025 American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, which drew more than 4,700 attendees. In collaboration with Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and ASCP Career Ambassadors, the team engaged with nearly 400 school counselors and education professionals, using a robust suite of resources to promote careers in medical laboratory science. Materials such as the Laboratory Career Roadmap, Where Can Medical Laboratory Science Take You?,  Save Lives Tomorrow (stories from Patient Champions), Dr. Alvin Ring Empowerment Scholarship information, and Lab Drawers™ classroom kits served as key touchpoints in these conversations. Through informative discussions, ASCP and its partners effectively showcased the depth, purpose, and accessibility of laboratory careers, positioning the profession as a vital and inspiring pathway for students nationwide.