CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
That was my first exposure to the potent combination of insight, generosity, and entrepreneurship that drives us forward. Whether it is a group of pathologists on a Laboratory Accreditation Program inspection, a team of member experts building the latest learning portal offering in pharmacogenomics, or a small group assembling for a hands-on AP3 on fine-needle aspiration, the College has a firm grasp of priorities and an unerring ability to execute. Uphill or downhill, we identify the best next steps and take them together.
We have enjoyed more tightly stitched integration with our academic partners during my tenure, which gives me great satisfaction. The Association of Pathology Chairs is a richly talented and generous group. Working with the APC to persuade the American Board of Pathology to secure permission from the Association of American Medical Colleges for a subspecialty in informatics (to be administered in conjunction with the American Board of Preventive Medicine) was a singularly gratifying experience. Informatics will drive progress in genomics, among other things. The first board exam is Oct. 7; I hope many of our members will pursue that credential.
Our time together has been enlightening, gratifying, and often inspiring. I know that you, our members and readers, will give the same unwavering support to Gene Herbek, MD, when he becomes CAP president at CAP ’13 and takes over this space every month. As a committee member, Board member, and secretary-treasurer, Dr. Herbek has been wise and energetic as required. As a leader of the CAP Foundation See, Test, and Treat program, and as founder of the Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award, he has enabled breast and cervical cancer screening for countless underserved women. Please give him your unswerving support.
This is my last column. I leave you with this thought.
Our roots run deep in both partnership and mentorship; in an era of such rapid scientific progress, the two often run in parallel. When we join with other pathologists in service of patient safety and well-being, our effectiveness grows geometrically. They say that the power of collaboration can be expressed as two plus two equals five. It has been my experience, however, that within the College, that equation fails to reflect our collective energy. Working with and for you, I have seen time and again that sometimes two plus two equals six. Within the College, the sum greatly exceeds the individual parts.
Agility counts on the downhill run, but it is our teammates who matter most.
It has been an honor to represent you and our specialty. Thank you.
Dr. Robboy welcomes communication from CAP members. Send your letters to him at president@cap.org.