The meeting was called to order by Dr. Virginia LiVolsi, President. This year's meeting is dedicated to Dr. Fathollah K. (Kash) Mostofi.

The agenda of the meeting was adopted as printed on page 220 of the program book. Minutes of the previous business meeting held in Chicago on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 were approved as printed in the 2004 program book.

Dr. LiVolsi recognized the foreign dignitaries in attendance. The President's Report began with a welcome to all registrants to the meeting. She welcomed IAP officers and the division's officers in attendance. This is the first time the USCAP has met in Vancouver. The USCAP continues to be a vibrant Society. She extended thanks to Council, Committee chairs and the Augusta office for their unflagging support of the Academy during her time as president.

Those persons receiving Recognition Awards from the Academy for service rendered during the year 2003 were then recognized and thanked.

The Secretary-Treasurer's report was presented by Dr. Fred 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. Membership in the Academy is now approximately 9400 with 1660 representing junior members, due in part to the effective work of our Ambassadors. He announced the total registration for this meeting at approximately 3000 of which is another successful year. There are a lot of new things at this year's meeting including internet café, digital imaging, long course CD, etc. At its meeting last Saturday, the Council confirmed the admission of 884 new members, of whom 237 were Regular Members and 647 were Junior members. Membership in the Academy of housestaff and fellows has drastically increased in the last 4½ years, due in large part to the activities of the Academy's Ambassadors. He defined that 54 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: Murray Abell, John Andujar, David Dahlin, Horatio Enterline, Clifford H. Fox, Vernon Fraser, David Freiman, Elson Helwig, George Ioannides, Marvin Jackson, Marvin Kuschner, German Lasala, Raffaele Lattes, Franz Leidler, Boleslaw H. Liwnicz, Jack Lubin, George Lumb, Sidney Madden, Louis Manhoff, Jr., Charles Marshall, Kenneth McClatchey, Leonard Miller, Robert More, F.K. Mostofi, William Platt, Zoltan Posalaky, William C. Quist, Henry Rappaport, Livia Rev-Kury, Stanley Robbins, Hugh Ross, Melvin L. Sommer, F. William Sunderman, and Nancy M. Urgarte. The Secretary-Treasurer's report was adopted by motion, second, and vote.

Dr. David Hardwick, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the Finance Committee's report. He stated that all financial documents for FY 2003 have been examined by the Finance Committee and found to be in good order. The audited financial statement for 2003 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, a financially successful meeting, investment income, and journal profits, the net assets of the Academy increased by slightly over $80,000 in the year ending June, 2003. The budget for FY 2003 was approved with dues unchanged. All financial reports are 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. Forms may have to be changed to remind "Sustaining" members. He thanked those who are "Sustaining Members".

Dr. Hardwick also reported on the Long Term Strategic Plan of the Academy. The Committee has surveyed the leadership of the Academy and reported to Council. Reaffirmation of the mission objectives of the USCAP and some specifics regarding implementation. The Committee was discharged with thanks. He also thanked the Academy for the opportunity to serve.

Dr. Hardwick had the pleasure to announce the winner/awardee of the Gold Medal of the IAP which goes to Dr. Anna Kadar for her service to the IAP.

Dr. Jeffrey Myers, 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 and 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 recognized and thanked the staff at Augusta. He reported this year there were record abstracts and 96% were submitted online. He stated the important and dynamic role this committee plays in 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 presented a powerpoint presentation which included graphs of registrants per year, abstracts per year, abstracts submitted, etc. He stated the Education Committee has implemented a strategic plan, goals and objectives. He also noted that the Specialty Conferences and Companion Societies handouts are available on our web site. As of last Friday we had 22 Companion Societies, but today we are pleased to report there are 23 with the addition of the new American Society for Clinical 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 thanked the two members who rotated offDrs. Cheryl Coffin and Allen Gown. He reported the Committee members of which consists of himself as Chair, Drs. Jose Costa, Henry Frierson, Harvey Goldman, John Pfeifer, and George Mutter, were very active this year (joined by the Executive CommitteeDrs. Virginia LiVolsi, Ricardo Lloyd, Sylvia Asa, Louis Dehner and Fred Silva). The journals Modern Pathology and Laboratory Investigation now have a new publisherNature Publishing Groupeffective January 1, 2004. Drs. James Crawford and Anthony Yachnis are the new Editors-in-Chief for Laboratory Investigation. He thanked outgoing Laboratory Investigation Editors, Drs. Jon Morrow and Jose Costa whose terms expired at the end of 2003. Dr. Zarbo showed a powerpoint presentation which he described and 'toured' various ways to look for information with the onset of a new publisher. Finally, he thanked Dr. Silva and the Academy for helping the Publications Committee. The report of the Publications Committee was accepted by motion, second, and vote.

As Chairman of the Nominating Committee, Dr. Louis Dehner submitted the following slate of nominees: President-Elect, Dr. Sylvia Asa, Vice-President, Dr. Henry Appelman. 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. Jonathan Epstein, Celeste Powers and Richard Zarbo were selected.

Dr. Ricardo Lloyd was introduced as the Academy's new President, to take office April 1, 2004. Dr. LiVolsi presented a new gavel to Dr. Lloyd. Dr. LiVolsi recognized Dr. Louis Dehner and his many accomplishments as President by a presentation of the Academy's Past-President's medal.

Dr. Beverly Nelson reported from the AMA. She stated there are two meetings per yearan interim meeting and an annual meeting. She indicated some of the endeavors the AMA helped physicians with. She encouraged all USCAP members to become a member of the AMA and that many benefits could be reaped.

Other business was reported by Dr. LiVolsi that the next IAP meeting will be in Brisbane, Australia October 10-15, 2004. Dr. Robin Cooke encouraged everyone to attend. Dr. LiVolsi noted the next IAP meeting will be in Montreal in 2006 which will be the centennial of the IAMM/IAP (1906-2006) and will celebrate Maude Abbott. She also announced that Maude Abbott's cousin is in the audience and she was asked to stand and received applause.