Association for Academic Pathology

AAPath PATHOLOGY LEADERSHIP FELLOWS (APLF) PROGRAM The application period is open until February 7, 2025! https://lnkd.in/eNkf6_2M The APLF program cultivates leadership potential and opportunities by providing experiences and education that accelerate understanding and competency in the skills required for academic administration. The APLF program is suitable for mid-to-senior level faculty (assistant, preferably associate, professor level faculty) pursuing vice chair, director, chief or chair roles. No more than two participants will be selected from any one AAPath member department in good standing (current dues paid). Note that the application period is moving earlier than in years past due to the high level of interest from faculty!

Congratulations to Landon M. Clark and colleagues for their new #openaccess article in Academic Pathology, “Paying to publish: A cross-sectional analysis of article processing charges and journal characteristics among 87 pathology journals”. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dGnbEJnM

Congratulations to Allyson Flippo and colleagues for their new #openaccess article in Academic Pathology, “Social media in pathology and laboratory medicine: A systematic review”. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eHdYR-n4

AAPath 2025 ANNUAL MEETING Registration for AAPath2025 is open! Use discount code EARLY2025 to save $100 until February 15, 2025. AAPath 2025 will continue to be delivered in a hybrid format for a dynamic in-person experience and access by remote attendees to most ballroom sessions that will be broadcasted by Zoom. AAPath Committees and Section Councils are continuing to finalize the sessions as they consider the most timely and relevant topics for your professional development in academic pathology leadership. Program updates will be posted on the AAPath 2025 Annual Meeting landing page once registration launches next week! In the meantime, for those with innovations in education for medical students through pathology trainees, UMEDS Council and PRODS Council invite you to submit an abstract to be considered for the poster program at AAPath 2025. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/e6nWSJsg

SOCIETY OF ’67 KINNEY SCHOLARS AND APEX FELLOW PROGRAMS The application period is open until January 24, 2025! https://lnkd.in/es4PghVZ The Kinney Scholars Program provides an opportunity for medical students and residents to familiarize themselves with career opportunities in pathology and the critical role of pathology in healthcare delivery, research, and education through access to national leaders in academic pathology attending the AAPath Annual Meeting. Note that the application period is moving earlier than in years past due to the high level of interest from trainees!

Members can register for upcoming virtual events at https://lnkd.in/e6nSADqR New Affinity Group for Vice Chairs of Research Meeting Navigating the FDA Approval Process: More Academic Lab Learning Experiences Date: January 23, 2025 Time: 1:00-2:00 pm EST Speakers: Omai Garner, PhD (UCLA) and YanYun Wu, MD, PhD (Univ of Miami) Registrationhttps://lnkd.in/erirmNxj UMEDS Mid-Year Meeting Date: January 28, 2025 Time: 12:00-1:30 pm EST Registration: https://lnkd.in/e4TT5VaR GMEAS Mid-Year Meeting Date: February 6, 2025 Time: 1:00-2:30 pm EST Registration: https://lnkd.in/eZRZ3kmp Did you miss previous AAPath Virtual Events? Members can log in to access the recordings at: https://lnkd.in/enqusGfz

AAPath ADVOCACY ACTIONS UPDATE (3 of 3) From the desk of AAPath’s Deputy Director, Lydia P. Howell, MD The Presidential election and new administration will bring many changes, including in healthcare policy. In support of our members, AAPath is closely following these topics and working with our partners to address needs proactively. Here are a few hot topics to be aware of: 1. Lab-developed tests (LDTs) and regulation by the FDA: The FDA is among many agencies expected to have big changes in the new administration. AAPath has signed on to a stakeholder letter initiated by the Association of Molecular Pathology in support of initiating the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the FDA’s final rule regulating LDTs like medical devices. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN), and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) are leading these efforts. However, clinical laboratories should not give up preparations to meet the first deadline required by the new FDA rule since this regulation is still active. AAPath continues its webinar series to support academic clinical labs in meeting the new rules requirements – REGISTER HERE for the next webinar on 12/6 which focuses on pediatric testing. Previous webinars are recorded and available on the AAPath website at: https://lnkd.in/enqusGfz 2. NIH reorganization: Even before the election, Republicans were putting forward proposals to restructure the NIH. Changes are now expected, but many will require Congressional approval. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released a white paper this past year (NIH Modernization 5.9.24.pdf) from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions based on stakeholder input which may provide insights on changes to come. The report highlights the need for a balanced portfolio of early- and late-stage research, addressing workforce challenges, streamlining peer review, and collaboration across agencies, institutions, and industry. 3. Policies with immediate needs to be addressed by the lame-duck Congress: - Telehealth: Many of our members are expanding their telepathology programs; however, it is important to be aware that extensions to the flexibilities initiated during the COVID-19 are currently scheduled to end on December 31, 2024. Bills for additional extensions have been passed by House committees and are expected to form the basis for negotiation with the incoming administration. - Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments: Many of our members practice at hospitals that rely on DSH payments because they serve a disproportionate share of Medicaid patients. DSH payments were scheduled for progressive cuts as other programs expanded; however, delays in cuts were extended to December 31, 2024. Negotiations for additional extensions are expected. We look forward to keeping you informed as events occur and transition to the new administration unfolds.

AAPath ADVOCACY ACTIONS UPDATE (2 of 3) From the desk of AAPath’s Deputy Director, Lydia P. Howell, MD AAPath remains resolved to continue its work with other organizations toward withdrawal of the final rule, as well as for modernizing the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA). We will be following the progress of the lawsuits against this rule, which will be heard in court in January 2025, though it may take several months for a final decision to be made. In 2025, research is a looming thematic area targeted for change, which may require heightened advocacy. AAPath is closely following changes introduced by the new administration regarding research and hopes to influence and address these proposals, both before and after the inauguration. Below are a couple of hot topics that we are following closely -- you may want to follow these too, and work with your institutional government relations representatives on advocacy: - NIH optimization and reform: Members of the Senate and House, notably Senator Cassidy and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, have been active in proposals on this topic. Structural changes have been incorporated into appropriations bills in the House, although many think a new spending package is unlikely soon since this would be disruptive and needs stakeholder input. Science published an interesting article on this topic in November (Trump won. Is NIH in for a major shake-up? | Science | AAAS). Sen Cassidy’s white paper on NIH modernization (NIH Modernization 5.9.24.pdf) is also seen as a window into potential areas of reform. - Bans on animal research: FDA Modernization Act 3.0 introduced by Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) would bar research on non-human primates. Legislation proposed by the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon VA) Appropriations Subcommittee prohibits funding for canine, feline, and nonhuman primate research, unless the studies are approved in writing by the VA Secretary, and additionally eliminates research utilizing these species’ research by March 2026. Activists want non-animal models expanded at NIH. Of course, the more things change, the more they stay the same – we look forward to your ongoing participation and help as AAPath continues its tradition of advocating for the interests of academic pathology, so that we may best serve our patients, students, and communities. Wishing you happy holidays and a new year of success, health and satisfaction!

AAPath ADVOCACY ACTIONS UPDATE (1 of 3) From the desk of AAPath’s Deputy Director, Lydia P. Howell, MD The end of the year is always a time for reflection and for resolutions to do even more in the new year – this includes professional organizations, like AAPath. Federal regulation of laboratory-developed tests has been a long-standing threat for many years. This heated up to become the most prominent advocacy issue of 2024 following the release of the FDA’s proposed rule to regulate LDTs like medical devices in the fall of 2023 and a focus of much of our advocacy activity. Reflecting on the FDA-LDT regulation issue over the past year, AAPath is proud of its advocacy efforts throughout 2024 that support the best patient care via the practice of academic pathology. These efforts include: - A formal response to the FDA submitted at the end of 2023 outlined our many objections to the proposed rule. We can reflect with pride that some of our objections were heard. Implementation of the final rule included some change recommended in our submitted comments and those of others. - A letter to Senator Bill Cassidy MD (R-LA) submitted in April 2024 included responses to many questions posed to the laboratory community regarding LDTs and their regulation. Input from our members was instrumental in this response. Senator Cassidy is the ranking member of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and will be the Chair of this important committee in the new Congress. - An amicus curiae brief submitted by AAPath in October 2024 to provide background to the court in support of the lawsuits filed by the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) and the American Clinical Laboratory Association opposing the FDA’s regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). - Signed participation in a stakeholder letter in November 2024 initiated by the Association for Molecular Pathology denoting support for the recommendation from the House Appropriations Committee that FDA pause its implementation of this rule and instead collaborate with Congress on modernizing the regulatory approach for LDTs.

Attention AAPath members: Have a membership update? New members: https://bit.ly/3T1iT4o | Need to add/replace a member: https://bit.ly/3CIF8Hi | Need to remove a member from your roster: https://bit.ly/3egBNFT | Please contact [email protected] with questions.