The meeting was called to order by Dr. Louis Dehner, President.

The agenda of the meeting was adopted as printed on page 230 of the program book. Minutes of the previous business meeting held in Chicago on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 were approved as printed in the 2003 program book.

Dr. Dehner recognized the foreign dignitaries in attendance. The President's Report began with a welcome to all registrants to the meeting. He welcomed IAP officers and the division's officers in attendance. The USCAP continues to be a vibrant Society. Membership in the Academy is now approximately 9000 with 1500 representing junior members, due in part to the effective work of our Ambassadors. He announced that the Academy has had a busy year, especially the Publications Committee. The present publisher contract expires the end of 2003. Also, the Publications Committee is busy interviewing for a new Editor for Laboratory Investigation. The current editors, Dr. Jon Morrow and Dr. Jose Costa, terms expire the end of 2003. The Academy is moving forward into the 21^st century. He extended thanks to Council, Committee chairs and the Augusta office for their unflagging support of the Academy during his time as president.

Those persons receiving Recognition Awards from the Academy for service rendered during the year 2002 were then recognized and thanked.

The Secretary-Treasurer's report was presented by Dr. Silva. He expressed gratification that the Academy continued to flourish during another very successful year and thanked the membership for making it such a vibrant organization and is very proud of all who help make it so. He announced the registration for this meeting currently stands at approximately 2800 which is indicative of another successful meeting. At its meeting last Saturday, the Council confirmed the admission of 684 new members, of whom 304 were Regular Members and 380 were Junior members. Membership in the Academy of housestaff and fellows has quadrupled in the last 3½ years, due in large part to the activities of the Academy's Ambassadors. He defined that 45 members were elevated to Emeritus status. Membership on committees is to be commended. He asked the audience to stand in remembrance of the deceased members while he read their names as follows: Kurt Aterman, Laurence E. Becker, Stephen V. Becker, Margaret Bevans, David Brunsdon, Vincent P. Collins, George Hummer, Howard J. Igel, Joseph E. Imbriglia, William Kaufmann, Kristina A. Keough, Emily Koeniger, Robert Kirschner, Frederick Koster, Gaylord McKissick, Carleton Nordschow, Andrew G. Ostor, Abe Oyamada, David S. Platt, Keith A. Reimer, Peter A. Rinaudo, Humbert Riva, Maria da luz Roriz, John H. Rust, Herschel Sidransky, Jerome H. Smith, Sheldon Sommers, Misao Takeda, and Richard B. Wilson. The Secretary-Treasurer's report was adopted by motion, second, and vote.

Dr. David Hardwick, presented the Finance Committee's report in place of Dr. Jack Strong, Chairman of the Finance Committee. He stated that all financial documents for FY 2002 have been examined by the Finance Committee and found to be in good order. The audited financial statement for 2002 has been approved by the Finance Committee, Executive Committee and Council, and filed. The investments and investment policies of the Academy have been reviewed by the Finance Committee and reported to the Council. Financial statements for Laboratory Investigation, Modern Pathology and Diagnostic Pathology were examined, approved, and filed. Due to healthy membership and dues, a financially successful meeting, investment income, and journal profits, the net assets of the Academy increased by slightly over $50,000 in the year ending June, 2002. The budget for FY 2002 was approved with dues remaining unchanged. Dr. Hardwick stated that all financial reports were available for review. The report of the Finance Committee was accepted by motion, second, and vote.

Dr. Hardwick also reported on "Sustaining the Academy." He encouraged all members of the Academy to become a Sustaining Member of the Academy. We have now clarified what is being sustained and to please contact the Academy office to become one.

Dr. Hardwick also reported on the Long Term Strategic Plan of the Academy. We have surveyed the leadership of the Academy and 60% responded and will be discussed further with the Long Term Strategic Planning Committees this summer.

Dr. Hardwick had the pleasure to announce the winner/awardee of the Gold Medal of the IAP which goes to Dr. Leah Shander for her service to the IAP. Her first meeting was at this hotel 20+ years ago. She is most responsible and deserving of the IAP Gold Medal.

Dr. David Hardwick also received the USCAP Gold Medal for service with international recognition presented by Dr. Dehner.

Dr. Reuter, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the report of the Education Committee. He thanked the members of the committee for their hard work to provide a superior and diverse educational program. He stated the important and dynamic role this committee plays in the Academy. He stated that the committee members are appointed for four-year terms, are diversified, meet twice a year, and are present members of the Academy. He asked all to please make note of the Academy's Website (www.uscap.org). The Education Committee oversees the summer Diagnostic Pathology Update Course, 60 short courses, a long course, two special courses, specialty conferences, platform and posters, and companion meetings. The Education Committee remains very committed to the electronic media to enhance our educational product. He showed a powerpoint presentation which included graphs of registrants per year, abstracts per year, abstracts submitted, etc. He also noted that the Specialty Conferences continue to do well and all are available on our web site. As of last Friday we had 21 Companion Societies, but today we are pleased to report there are 22 with the addition of the new International Society of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology. The report of the Education Committee was accepted by motion, second, and vote.

Dr. Richard Zarbo presented the report of the Publications Committee. He reported the Committee members of which consists of himself as Chair, Drs. Cheryl Coffin, Henry Frierson, Harvey Goldman, Allen Gown, and George Mutter, were very active this year (joined by the Executive CommitteeDrs. Louis Dehner, Ronald DeLellis, Virginia LiVolsi, Ricardo Lloyd and Fred Silva) with the search for a new Editor-in-Chief for Laboratory Investigation and searching for new publisher for the journals Modern Pathology and Laboratory Investigation. Current Editors of Laboratory Investigation, Drs. Jon Morrow and Jose Costa, terms expire at the end of 2003. The search for new Editor-in-Chief for Laboratory Investigation has been accomplished and we have a "Final Four" after questions and responses. Finally, he thanked outgoing Laboratory Investigation Editors, Drs. Jon Morrow and Jose Costa. The publication contract for our journals expires in 2003, after working with Dr. Morna Conway, The Conway Group, sent out 12 RFP/RFA and received 10 responses. The committee hopes to have a decision soon for the publisher. The Academy website was redone in late February, and Dr. Zarbo showed a powerpoint presentation which he described and `toured' various ways to look for information. The report of the Publications Committee was accepted by motion, second, and vote.

As Chairman of the Nominating Committee, Dr. DeLellis submitted the following slate of nominees: President-Elect, Dr. Ricardo Lloyd, Vice-President, Dr. Sylvia Asa. There being no nominations from the floor, it was moved to close nominations and adopt the slate. This was done by unanimous vote. By ballot of the membership, Councillors: Drs. Julia Bridge, James Downing and Victor Reuter were selected.

Dr. Virginia LiVolsi was introduced as the Academy's new President, to take office April 1, 2003. Dr. Dehner presented a new gavel to Dr. LiVolsi. Dr. Dehner recognized Dr. Ronald DeLellis and his many accomplishments as President by a presentation of the Academy's Past-President's medal.

Other business was reported by Dr. Dehner that the next IAP meeting will be in Brisbane, Australia in October 2004. Dr. Robin Cooke encouraged everyone to attend.