The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology had its origin in the International Association of
Medical Museums which was established in 1906. Its parentage sprung from a dedication to medical education
within a distinguished body of scientists and educators. Among them were: Major James Carroll, Dr.
William MacCallum, Dr. William Welch, Dr. William Osler and Dr. Maude Abbott. The Association flourished
in the early decades of this century when museums served cardinal roles in medical education. Divisions
were established in Europe and Canada. The Association lost a major benefactor, and its Secretary-Treasurer
of 33 years, with the death of Maude Abbott in 1940.
Museums were serving lesser roles in education and international relations were disrupted shortly thereafter
by World War II. Only the U.S. and Canadian Division remained active through the early 1950's. To broaden
the educational base of the organization, Dr. Harold Stewart of the National Cancer Institute proposed a
name change to the International Academy of Pathology and together with the devoted efforts of Dr. F. K.
Mostofi of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the organization was rejuvenated nationally and
internationally. The U.S. and Canadian Division was separately incorporated in the District of Columbia on
September 30, 1986 as the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology and has experienced steady growth.
The current membership is greater than 9000 pathologists, making it the largest of the International Academy
of Pathology's 54 divisions world-wide. Membership in USCAP automatically conveys membership in the IAP.
The USCAP presents two different meetings each year. The Annual Spring meeting (usually held in the end
of February or March) includes 23 Companion Societies, more than 2200 scientific abstracts submitted, 60 Short Courses,
A day-long Long Course, 16 evening Subspecialty Conferences, and two Special (all-day) Courses in
Molecular Pathology (beginning and advanced). The scientific abstracts are online and searchable by author, topic and disease on the academy website. This annual meeting has by far the largest attendance of
physician-pathologists in the world. At least 24 prestigious awards are available for presentation to
Junior Members/house staff/pathologists-in-training at this annual meeting.
Diagnostic Pathology, our annual week-long summer review and update course, brings expert educators to a
pleasant setting to review major organ systems and diseases. The setting is perfect for interactions
with our outstanding faculty and for a "working vacation".
Diagnostic Cytopathology is an advanced two and a half-day course
designed to provide pragmatic, problem-solving knowledge for practicing
cytopathologists and anatomic pathologists. It addresses the resolution
of diagnostic pitfalls relative to each of the major organ systems
studied by cytopathology/FNA. Six distinguished faculty are present with
an extensive handout and CD-ROM of images distributed to the attendees.
A new offering: Practical Pathology Seminars. This two and a half day, week-end course is designed to
provide updated, pragmatic, problem-solving information for practicing anatomic pathologists. A
comprehensive syllabus and a CD-ROM for each topiccovered will be available for registrants.
The USCAP publishes two major scientific pathology journals -
Laboratory Investigation and
Modern Pathology
- which are among the "top 10" journals in the field of Pathology. We've
recently partnered with the most outstanding and renowned scientific and
medical publishers in the world: Nature Publishing Group.
For more information on USCAP, see our About Us section.