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  GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PATHOLOGY
MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Participation in the Maintenance of Certification Program of The American Board of Pathology (ABP) is mandatory for diplomates whose primary and/or subspecialty certificates are dated 2006 or later. Diplomates are required to provide information regarding their participation in MOC to the ABP every 2 years. The ABP recently approved allowing diplomates to synchronize reporting of primary and subspecialty certificates to allow for a more efficient reporting process. In this situation MOC data for both primary and subspecialty certifications can be reported using the primary certification timeline. The same CME, SAMs, and Part IV activities, etc. can be used to satisfy MOC requirements for all certificates. This synchronization process will result in a diplomate taking the MOC examinations for all certificates within the primary certification cycle. New certificates for those who successfully complete the process will be issued for all areas at the same time. The required MOC fee will remain $100 per person (not per certificate) due at the end of each 2-year reporting cycle. The ABP strongly encourages diplomates with non-time limited certificates to participate in the MOC program. Admission to the MOC program will be available for these diplomates within the next year. The mechanism by which those certified prior to 2006 can begin participation in MOC will be made available in the next few months. As has been previously explained in this newsletter, the ABP MOC program has four components: Part I - Professional Standing has two requirements. The first is that diplomates practicing in the US or Canada maintain a full and unrestricted medical license in at least one jurisdiction of the United States, its territories, or Canada. If a diplomate holds more than one license, all must be full and unrestricted. For diplomates practicing outside the US or Canada, the ABP will accept licensure in the jurisdiction in which the diplomate practices. The second requirement is that the diplomate submit documentation of medical staff membership and healthcare organization privileges. Evidence of licensure and documentation of staff membership and privileges must be submitted at the end of the 4th and 8th years of the MOC cycle. A description of practice may be substituted for documentation of medical staff membership and healthcare privileges if these are not applicable. All information submitted to the ABP must include an English translation if the original is not in English. Part II - Life-Long Learning and Self-Assessment requires completion of an average of 35 Category 1 CME credits per year for each two-year period within the 10-year MOC cycle. Ten (10) of these credits must be obtained from completion of self-assessment modules. Eighty per cent (80%) of CME must be related to the diplomate's practice. Participation in an ACGME-accredited fellowship will meet these requirements for a two-year period. A non-accredited fellowship may be acceptable if the diplomate can provide documentation that the fellowship is held to ACGME standards. These activities must be reported to the ABP at the end of each two-year period within the MOC cycle. Part III - Cognitive Expertise requires satisfactory completion of a secure examination. The examination will be available beginning in the 8th year of the MOC cycle and must be passed before the end of the 10th year. The first MOC examinations will be available in 2014. Diplomates will be able to select examination modules that will allow them to tailor the examination to their practice. Part IV - Evaluation of Performance in Practice requires that the diplomate provide (1) peer attestations regarding interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, ethics, and effectiveness in practice; (2) documentation of laboratory accreditation, where applicable; (3) participation by the diplomate's laboratory in inter-laboratory performance improvement and quality assurance programs; and (4) participation by the diplomate in at least one performance improvement and quality assurance activity or program per year appropriate for his/her principal professional activities. Peer attestation and documentation of laboratory accreditation must be provided to the ABP at the end of the 4th and 8th years of the MOC cycle. Documentation of laboratory and individual participation in practice improvement and quality assurance activities must be provided at the end of each two-year period of the MOC cycle.  Betsy D. Bennett, M.D., Ph.D. Executive Vice President American Board of Pathology  
It is my distinct pleasure to announce that after a nearly one-year preparation process, involving countless hours by both staff and leadership, the Academy has been awarded the maximum term of six years for "Accreditation with Commendation" to provide continuing medical education. Thus, we are termed Accredited until November 30, 2015.
Only 5% of all organizations reviewed by the ACCME achieve this status. These "Accreditations with Commendation" are listed on their website. Our sincere thanks and incredible kudos go out to so many people who helped this become a reality:
This accreditation ensures that the Academy will continue to “Lead Pathology Educational Excellence!” SIX MORE YEARS!! Best regards,  Fred G. Silva, M.D. Executive Vice President USCAP   No matter what stage you are in your career, your location, or the type of practice in which you work, the USCAP’s ultimate goal is to help you become a better diagnostic pathologist. Whether you attend our on-site meetings or use the virtual learning tools of the eAcademy and APECS, we offer the most educational opportunities in anatomic/molecular/diagnostic pathology. We were the first in our field to offer SAMs (Self Assessment Modules) and continue to provide the highest-quality learning opportunities. USCAP: THE MOST CME/SAMs FROM THE BEST!
Thank you for your continued support of your Academy! 
"Doing your best is not good enough. You have to know what to do. Then do your best." -W. E. DemingThat’s why this past October, armed with your opinions from our first online Member Assessment Survey, we convened some of the best innovators from our leadership, along with the USCAP staff (innovators as well!), for a two-day Long Term Strategic Planning Session (LTSP) in Augusta, picking up where we left off at the 2008 LTSP. I’d like to say that we were enjoying the warm Fall days on some beautiful Augusta golf course, but instead we were fully engaged in the planning process to find ways to chart and improve the future of your Academy. Drs. David Hardwick and Jeff Myers deftly led the session in a very interactive and forward-thinking fashion. We are very fortunate to have the talents of these two brilliant men whose visionary planning skills took the rest of us through a process that was a great journey in identifying needs, solutions and solid action plans. This included areas of educational offerings, meetings, membership benefits and new “product” ideas. Thank you so much David and Jeff!! As President, it has been my privilege to have played a part in this exciting process, knowing that the Academy’s direction and future success are sound! Look for that innovation to manifest in numerous ways as we do our best for you. Best Regards,  Richard J. Zarbo, M.D., D.M.D. President USCAP  2009 LTSP Group (left to right): Brenden Taylor (Associate Editor, eAcademy), Dr. Jeffery Myers, Nancy West (Assistant Meeting Planner), Kerry Crockett (Administrator/Director, Convention & Meeting Services), Annette Dixon (Educational Program Assistant), Dr. Chris Crum, Dr. Stuart Schnitt, Sally Miglionico (Administrative Assistant), Jo Ann Johnson (Educational Program Coordinator), Dr. Fred Silva (EVP), Carolyn Lane (Membership Services Coordinator), Dr. Victor Reuter (holding a Masters golf ball gift from Jim Crimmins!), Dr. David Hardwick, Dr. Richard Zarbo, John Garrard (Director of Marketing/Development), Jim Crimmins (IAP Congress Planner/Assistant Treasurer). 
 Send us your news of recent awards, accomplishments or special events and we'll include as much as possible in upcoming issues of The Academy Newsletter. Please send all submissions electronically, including photos, to newsletter@uscap.org.  Dr. Elaine Jaffe’s Son Co-Authors New BookCongratulations to Dr. Elaine Jaffe’s son, Greg Jaffe, who has co-authored the recently published "THE FOURTH STAR: Four Generals and the Epic Struggle for the Future of the United States Army,” a compelling look at how four U.S. Army generals were challenged to radically transform their forces in order to deal with the unique issues of the conflict in Iraq. The book has garnered excellent reviews and Greg has made appearances on NPR, CNN and BBC. He currently works for the Washington Post, covering the Pentagon. Well done Greg! Click here to read the New York Times Book Review of The Fourth Star Renal Pathology Textbook Named in Honor of Fred G. Silva  Most of us in the Academy know him as “Fred”…always friendly, quick with a bear hug and USCAP’s #1 fan. We also know him as our EVP for the past 11 years, and his vision and leadership have positioned us as the premier educational organization in anatomic pathology. But, were you aware of his extensive expertise (30+ years) in the field of renal pathology? Well, now you can see this first hand in the recently published book, “Silva’s Diagnostic Renal Pathology,” edited by Drs. Xin J. Zhou, Zoltan Laszik, Tibor Nadasdy, Vivette D. D’Agati (all former fellows of Dr. Silva), and of course Fred G. Silva. (Cambridge University Press).
Silva’s Diagnostic Renal Pathology covers all methods used by renal pathologists to diagnose a wide variety of kidney diseases. Unique among the literature on renal pathology, this book sits neatly at the midpoint between encyclopedic and superficial coverage. A full spectrum of infectious, inflammatory, and congenital disorders, covered in both pediatric and adult populations, is analyzed not only by light microscopy, but also by each applicable diagnostic modality available. Written for the signing-out pathologist, this must-have text is illustrated throughout with more than 1,000 photomicrographs and diagrams (many in color) and includes a CD-ROM of all the images contained in the book. Congratulations, Fred! You make the Academy proud!  The 6th Asia Pacific International Academy of Pathology Congress was held in Kochi Kecrala India from 20th to 23rd August 2009. Dr. Florabel G. Mullick, President, IAP was unable to personally attend and Dr. Konrad Muller, Past-President, IAP graciously agreed to participate as Chief Guest on behalf of the President, IAP. In this capacity he inaugurated the Conference, lit the ceremonial lamp and then gave the welcome address. Other senior members of the IAP Leadership in attendance were: Dr. David Hardwick, Dr. Kristin Henry, and Dr. Robin Cooke. The Congress was an outstanding success. The major Sessions covered key areas in modern Pathology; e.g. Breast Pathology, Molecular Pathology, Haemato-lymphoid Pathology, etc. Plenary lectures amplified many of these stressing quality issues. The Indian Division of the IAP continues to be a very active division and the Asian Pacific Region with this Congress has consolidated this wide area as one with important and major Pathology educational ventures. Dr. Francesco Couto did an outstanding job in driving the organization of this Congress. Pathology Education, for the wide Asia Pacific area remains an important challenge, which will further develop over the coming decades. The Vice-Presidency for South America and the Argentine Division of the International Academy of Pathology hosted a Symposium on Breast Pathology which was held on 11-12 November 2009 at the National Military Academy of Medicine building in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dr. Florabel G. Mullick, MD, ScD, FCAP attended and participated in the event by presenting three lectures entitled: “The International Academy of Pathology: Past, Present and Future”, “The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology: Past, Present and Future” and “Telepathology: Past, Present and Future”. Dr. Eduardo Santini-Araujo, MD, IAP Vice-President for South America was the principal organizer and served as its Director. Dr. Sergio Sanchez-Sosa, Mexican Division, IAP served as Scientific Coordinator. The Symposium was extremely well attended from Central and South America. The entire event received great reviews and by all measures was an outstanding success. Sincerely, Florabel G. Mullick, MD, ScD, FCAP President International Academy of Pathology |
