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There are many organizations around the world for pathologists of every specialty. They range from societies for leaders in the field to ones that accept trainees, fellows, residents, and medical students. They can provide invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and sometimes even free CME credits. With the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time to join one of these top 20 pathology organizations, listed in alphabetical order.

Academy of Clinical Laboratory logo

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.

 

American Association of Neuropathologists logo

2. American Association of Neuropathologists

The American Association of Neuropathologists (AANP) welcomes physicians and scientists involved in research, training, and practicing neuropathology. Their mission is to advance the study of diseases that affect the nervous system and minimize patient suffering. An AANP membership allows you to network with hundreds of the nation’s leading neuropathology professionals and online access to the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology.

 

american college of veterinary pathologists

3. American College of Veterinary Pathologists

The American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) is an organization of board-certified scientists that has been setting the standard for veterinary pathology since 1949. They boast nearly 2,200 “diplomates.” Their official journal is Veterinary Pathology, a forum for original observations on the pathology of natural and experimental diseases in animals. The ACVP accepts veterinarians who complete the ACVP certifying examination.

 

ASCP logo

4. 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. 

 

American society for investigative pathology logo

5. American Society for Investigative Pathology

The American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP) provides numerous opportunities through networking, professional development, meetings, journals, and leadership opportunities. Members are experimental and investigative scientists worldwide working to advance scientific disease discovery and prevention. Pathologists in training get membership discounts.

 

american society of cytopathology

6. 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 the field of cytopathology. Members have access to the ASC Bulletin, some free CME/CMLE credits annually, and the Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology.

 

american society of hematology logo

7. American Society of Hematology

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) addresses clinical and research topics related to blood and blood diseases. They have more than 18,000 members worldwide. ASH publications include Blood, The Hematologist, ASH News Daily, and Hematology. Medical students and residents have free membership. 

 

association for molecular pathology logo

8. 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. 

 

association for pathology informatics logo

9. Association for Pathology Informatics

The Association for Pathology Informatics (API) has 975 active members. It involves collecting, examining, reporting, and storing large complex sets of data from tests performed in clinical laboratories, anatomic pathology laboratories, or research laboratories to improve patient care and enhance the understanding of disease-related processes. API supports research, education, and scientific meetings, and develops standards for reporting, transferring, storing, and merging confidential and other pathology-related information. It plays a role in legal, ethical, social, regulatory, and governmental issues related to pathology informatics.

 

association of clinical scientists logo

10. 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. 

 

Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology logo

11. 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/or surgical pathology from academic institutions. Members get networking and professional development opportunities to help enhance their leadership abilities.

Association of Pathology Chairs logo

12. 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.

College of American Pathologists logo

13. 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.

 

european society of pathology logo

14. 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. 

 

International Academy of Pathology logo

15. 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).

ISUP logo

16. 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).

NAME logo

17. 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.

society for pediatric pathology logo

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 throughout the world. 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.

the academy of oral and maxillofacial pathology logo

19. The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (AAOMP) represents the interest of oral and maxillofacial pathologists within the profession, in the dental and medical community, and to the public. Membership in the AAOMP is open to dentists, physicians, nurses, dental hygienists, veterinarians, and biomedical scientists who supply evidence of active interest in oral and maxillofacial pathology.

USCAP logo

20. 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.

 

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 top 11 online pathology learning resources.

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