1. Academy of Clinical Laboratory
The Academy of Clinical Laboratory (ACLPS) has active affiliations with 70 academic and community centers that train pathology residents in clinical pathology. It is free for up to 5 years for graduate or postgraduate training students. Their official journal is the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, in partnership with the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
2. American Association for Cancer Research
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), founded in 1907, is the first and largest cancer research organization dedicated to accelerating the conquest of cancer. Its mission is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, collaboration, science policy and advocacy, and funding for cancer research. AACR fosters cancer and biomedical research, disseminates new findings, promotes science education and training, and advances global understanding of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
3. American Society for Clinical Pathology
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is a 100,000-member organization composed of physicians, physicians-in-training, pathologists’ assistants, laboratory professionals, medical students, and laboratory students. The ASCP promotes excellence in education and provides hundreds of CME courses for pathologists and laboratory professionals. ASCP publications include the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, and Critical Values. Students, residents, and fellows-in-training can join for free.
4. American Society of Cytopathology
The American Society of Cytopathology (ASC) strives to maintain the highest professional standards in diagnostic cytopathology. ASC members have the opportunity to provide and utilize resources necessary to foster professional, academic, and scientific growth in cytopathology. Members can access the ASC Bulletin, some free CME/CMLE credits annually, and the Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology.
5. Association for Molecular Pathology
The Association for Molecular Pathology offers some free CME/CMLE credits each year, a subscription to and discounts for publishing articles in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, an online member chat, mentorship opportunities, and member-exclusive awards. Associate trainees, residents, and fellows can have a free membership.
6. Association for Pathology Informatics
The Association for Pathology Informatics (API) aims to advance pathology informatics as both an academic and clinical pathology subspecialty. It supports progress in the field through research, education, scientific meetings, and communications, focusing on managing complex data from clinical tests, pathology reports, and large-scale studies. API develops standards for handling pathology information and addresses legal, ethical, and regulatory issues. It fosters innovation in laboratory information technology and computational algorithms to enhance patient care and understanding of disease. API’s meetings are essential for showcasing research and fostering collaboration among thought leaders, practitioners, and vendors.
7. Association of Clinical Scientists
The Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS) provides a collegial forum for clinical scientists from many disciplines to interact and share research and related topics in several ways. ACS publishes a peer-reviewed, bi-monthly, PubMed-indexed journal, Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science. The journal addresses clinical, translational, and basic science fields in laboratory medicine and anatomic pathology.
8. Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology
The Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology (ADASP) is an organization made up primarily of directors of anatomic and surgical pathology from academic institutions. Members get networking and professional development opportunities to help enhance their leadership abilities.
9. Association of Pathology Chairs
The Association of Pathology Chairs (APC) is a non-profit society that serves as the voice of academic departments of Pathology in the United States and Canada. APC exists to provide leadership and advocacy for pathology and to enable academic departments to meet the demands of their three missions: medical education, research, and practice. Membership includes eligibility for elected office, committee participation, discounted meeting rates, discounted article processing fees for Academic Pathology, newsletters, advocacy, professional networking, and members-only online resources.
10. Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP)
The Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP), founded in 1949, is a voluntary professional organization that advances the interests of pathology and promotes high-quality patient care through national leadership. It fosters excellence in pathology and laboratory medicine practice, education, and research. CAP-ACP supports its members through various sections, committees, and special interest groups and offers continuing professional development opportunities, including an annual meeting, resident review course, and peer-reviewed journal. The association also grants awards and contributes to the national and international healthcare communities.
11. College of American Pathologists
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is the largest exclusively pathologist society worldwide. They have nearly 18,000 pathologists and pathologists in training. The CAP is considered the authority on laboratory quality assurance. They promote excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine as well as cost-effective medical care. Publications include Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and CAP Today. Membership is free for residents, board-certified pathologists in fellowship training, and fellows certified in the current year.
12. Digital Pathology Association
The Digital Pathology Association (DPA), founded in 2009, promotes the awareness, education, and adoption of digital pathology and AI applications in healthcare and life sciences. With over 4,000 members, including pathologists, scientists, and industry leaders, the DPA encourages sharing best practices to improve efficiency and enhance patient care. It has collaborated with the FDA to secure clearances for whole slide imaging equipment, advancing pathology workflows. The DPA continues to shape the future by setting standards and promoting interoperability in digital pathology.
13. European Society of Pathology
As the leading force in European pathology, the European Society of Pathology (ESP) promotes high-quality pathology diagnosis for all patients, up-to-date education across Europe, and cutting-edge research to understand the disease and translate science into clinical practice. Pathology residents and trainees can join for free. Membership includes a subscription to Virchows Archiv.
14. International Academy of Pathology
The International Academy of Pathology (IAP) promotes the advancement of pathology through global networking and education. IAP-sponsored journals include Histopathology, International Journal of Surgical Pathology, Pathology International, Virchow Archive, and Modern Pathology (USCAP).
15. International Society of Urological Pathology
The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) issues guidelines for the practice of urological pathology and provides educational activities for pathologists worldwide. ISUP is a companion society of The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP).
16. National Association of Medical Examiners
The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) is the national organization of professionals who perform the official duties of the medicolegal investigation of deaths of public interest in the United States. Founded in 1966, NAME enables the professional growth of physician death investigators and shares professional and technical information to improve the medical investigation of violent, suspicious, and unusual deaths. NAME’s official publication is The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. Residents and medical students get free membership.
17. Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists is a professional membership organization and charity based in London, with over 13,000 members globally, primarily doctors and scientists in the UK. It focuses on all aspects of pathology, overseeing training in 17 specialties, including cellular pathology, hematology, and medical microbiology. The College supports pathologists who work in laboratories and directly with patients, playing a crucial role in disease prevention, treatment, and monitoring. Members contribute to various diagnostic procedures, from blood tests to biopsies.
18. Society for Pediatric Pathology
The Society for Pediatric Pathology, founded in 1965, is an educational and scientific organization of pediatric physicians and scientists. Over 700 members of the Society practice in 60 plus Children’s Hospitals, Community Hospitals, and University Hospitals worldwide. Join this society for networking opportunities, a subscription to their official journal and newsletter, access to applications for research grants and awards, and the opportunity to be involved in the society’s governance.
19. United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) is the largest and most preeminent academic pathology organization. The USCAP annual meeting provides a venue for presenting novel studies in pathology through poster and preferred paper sessions. It includes short courses covering all areas of anatomic and molecular pathology. The USCAP publications include Modern Pathology and Laboratory Investigation. Registration is tiered, making it affordable for pathologists in training.
20. World Association of Societies of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Founded in Paris in September 1947, the World Association of Societies of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (WASPaLM) emerged shortly after World War II. Initially, a group of pathologists in London explored the idea of creating a World Federation of Pathology Societies. WASPaLM’s founding members included national societies from France, the United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, and Belgium. The organization was structured with a House of Delegates representing its constituent societies and a Bureau serving as its Executive Committee—a governance model that continues to this day.
It’s never too early in your training or career to join a society. Membership could lead to scholarships, research grants, and future job opportunities. Let us know about your favorite pathology organizations in the comments below. If you’re interested in more pathology educational materials, check out our blog on the top 20 pathology podcasts or the best annual digital pathology conferences.
