100 West 10 th Street, Suite 605 | Wilmington, DE 19801 | Phone: (302) 543-6583 | Fax: (302) 543-6597 | Email: [email protected]| Web site: cytopathology.org ANNUAL REPORT February 14, 2014 Submitted by Ritu Nayar M.D., ASC President The ASC, founded in 1951, is a distinguished national professional society of physicians, cytotechnologists and scientists who are dedicated to the cytologic method of screening and diagnosis of pre‐invasive lesions and cancer. The ASC’s diverse membership of more than 3000 physicians, cytotechnologists and scientists includes representatives from other countries who share a vision of education, research and continuous improvement in the standards and quality of patient care. ASC Vision Statement: Saving lives one cell at a time through: Teamwork Innovation Education Advocacy ASC Mission Statement: ASC promotes education, research, advocacy and professional ethics by the cytopathology team to achieve the best healthcare for individuals and communities worldwide. ASC Leadership The new ASC Officers were installed on November 10, 2013 during the ASC’s 61 st Annual Scientific Meeting as follows, Dr. Ritu Nayar, President, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Michael Henry, President‐Elect, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester Minnesota, Dr. Eva Wojcik, Vice President, Loyola University Medical Center and Dr. Daniel Kurtycz, Secretary‐Treasurer, Wisconsin State laboratory of Hygiene, Madison Wisconsin. Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins is the ASC’s Executive Director. Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology (JASC) In January 2014, after almost two years of careful considerations, the first issue of the Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology (JASC) was published. The purpose of this new journal is to support the mission of the American Society of Cytopathology. Original scientific work will emphasize novel discoveries, clinicopathologic correlations in a patient‐centered environment, technological advances in basic and translational research with emphasis on the development of personalized medicine, and new or improved molecular techniques and their novel application for diagnosis or monitoring of disease. Additionally, the editors plan to ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASC 2014 Annual Report Page 1 of 13
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100 West 10th Street, Suite 605 | Wilmington, DE 19801 | Phone: (302) 543-6583 | Fax: (302) 543-6597 | Email: [email protected] | Web site: cytopathology.org
ANNUAL REPORT February 14, 2014
Submitted by Ritu Nayar M.D., ASC President The ASC, founded in 1951, is a distinguished national professional society of physicians, cytotechnologists and scientists who are dedicated to the cytologic method of screening and diagnosis of pre‐invasive lesions and cancer. The ASC’s diverse membership of more than 3000 physicians, cytotechnologists and scientists includes representatives from other countries who share a vision of education, research and continuous improvement in the standards and quality of patient care. ASC Vision Statement: Saving lives one cell at a time through:
Teamwork
Innovation
Education
Advocacy ASC Mission Statement: ASC promotes education, research, advocacy and professional ethics by the cytopathology team to achieve the best healthcare for individuals and communities worldwide. ASC Leadership The new ASC Officers were installed on November 10, 2013 during the ASC’s 61st Annual Scientific Meeting as follows, Dr. Ritu Nayar, President, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Michael Henry, President‐Elect, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester Minnesota, Dr. Eva Wojcik, Vice President, Loyola University Medical Center and Dr. Daniel Kurtycz, Secretary‐Treasurer, Wisconsin State laboratory of Hygiene, Madison Wisconsin. Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins is the ASC’s Executive Director. Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology (JASC) In January 2014, after almost two years of careful considerations, the first issue of the Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology (JASC) was published. The purpose of this new journal is to support the mission of the American Society of Cytopathology. Original scientific work will emphasize novel discoveries, clinicopathologic correlations in a patient‐centered environment, technological advances in basic and translational research with emphasis on the development of personalized medicine, and new or improved molecular techniques and their novel application for diagnosis or monitoring of disease. Additionally, the editors plan to
100 West 10th Street, Suite 605 | Wilmington, DE 19801 | Phone: (302) 543-6583 | Fax: (302) 543-6597 | Email: [email protected] | Web site: cytopathology.org
publish review articles, commentaries, and research innovations in cytology education and assessment tools. JASC will operate under the leadership of Dr. Syed Ali, Editor‐in‐Chef, and Associate Editors, Drs. Dina Mody, Paul Wakely, Jr., and Eva Wojcik. Our priority will be research, education, and advocacy. The Editorial Advisory Board and reviewers have been selected specifically for their dedication and expertise to this new endeavor. The ASC Foundation To date, the ASC Foundation has received $724,174 in contributions. These include contributions from the ASC Past Presidents, ASC Members and corporate supporters. The ASC Foundation also receives support from the ASC Art Auction and 5K Run/Walk events held during the ASC Annual Scientific Meeting. As the fund raising arm of the ASC, the Foundation provides considerable support for the Society’s programs. Its endowment enhances our commitment to the ASC’s missions so that the Society can meet the expectations of our membership and the public to advance health via the cytologic method. Since its inception in 2002, we have provided:
Travel scholarships to over 50 cytotechnologists and 40 cytopathology fellows or pathology residents to attend the ASC Annual Scientific Meeting.
Over $285,000 in cytopathology research grants have been granted by the ASC Foundation to support innovative work that advances our profession and improves patient care.
The ASC Foundation’s Patient Advocacy Grant, which has enabled our members to bring their talents to benefit the underserved globally, including Peru, Haiti and India, as well as in the United States.
2014 Key Initiatives 1. Collaborative Efforts.
The ASC is expanding its collaborations with other professional organizations.
In 2012, the ASC signed a memorandum of understanding with the ASCP. The MOU allows the ASC and ASCP to partner on education, research, and advocacy initiatives that will mutually benefit the pathologists, cytopathologists, laboratory professionals, and cytotechnologists who belong to the Societies.
The ASC is a member of the Association of Pathology Chairs collaborative Pathology Roundtable that will facilitate networking and communication and promote synergistic planning about issues and joint initiatives of high priority to our profession.
The ASC is taking part in the Multi Society Pathology Workforce Summit, organized by APC, ASCP, CAP and USCAP.
100 West 10th Street, Suite 605 | Wilmington, DE 19801 | Phone: (302) 543-6583 | Fax: (302) 543-6597 | Email: [email protected] | Web site: cytopathology.org
The ASC and PSC are working together to review the current and future role of cytologic and small biopsy specimens in ancillary testing.
Members of the ASC are representing the pathology community at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Initiative on Primary HPV Screening Guidelines to provide clinical guidance on primary HPV testing as a mechanism for cervical cancer screening in the USA.
The ASC and CAP are currently in discussions regarding potential collaborations beyond the current relationships.
2. The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytopathology ‐ The American Society of
Cytopathology (ASC) and the International Academy of Cytology (IAC) have initiated the development of a standardized terminology for reporting urinary tract cytology specimens. The need for standardization of urine cytology has been voiced through the ASC membership listserv on numerous occasions. The initial idea for pursuing developing terminology for urinary cytology came from ASC members, led by Drs. Dorothy Rosenthal and Eva Wojcik. This topic was further developed by members of the ASC and IAC at the International Congress of Cytology meeting held in Paris in May 2013. We invite your participation in this international collaborative process by evaluating draft statements for each topic. You can find the link for comments on the ASC Web site (www.cytopathology.org).
3. The Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology: Definitions, Criteria and Explanatory Notes ‐ 3rd Edition ‐ It has been over 10 years since The Bethesda System (TBS) has been updated and revised. The American Society of Cytopathology (ASC) has taken the lead in developing the third Bethesda Atlas which will (1) expand the breadth of images (particularly for liquid based preparations); (2) address several clinicocytopathologic issues that have arisen in clinical practice; and (3) incorporate the concept of risk‐based management which served as the basis for the most recent American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology management guidelines. These updates, while important, will not result in major changes to the terminology and do not warrant a full Bethesda Workshop. Under the leadership of Drs. David Wilbur and Ritu Nayar, each atlas section will be updated with new references and images. The Bethesda website will also be updated. You can find the link for comments on the ASC Web site (www.cytopathology.org)
4. The Cytotechnology Program Review Committee (CPRC), for which the ASC is the lead organization, will be holding a retreat to identify and implement a contemporary scope of practice for the anatomic pathology professional. As recommended in the “Facing
100 West 10th Street, Suite 605 | Wilmington, DE 19801 | Phone: (302) 543-6583 | Fax: (302) 543-6597 | Email: [email protected] | Web site: cytopathology.org
the Future of Cytopathology” white paper, the CPRC has completed the Phase I revision of the entry‐level competencies and the Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Cytotechnology. At the time of the white paper (2009), it was determined that a comprehensive revision of the scope for a new “cytology practitioner” was premature. Today however, it is the determination of the CPRC that the environment is upon us to move forward in this regard. A follow‐up on the retreat will be sent to all the CPRC sponsors.
Education Activities 1. Again this year, the ASC will present a companion at the USCAP Annual Meeting on
March 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. The ASC presentation will be “The Quest for Standardization of Urine Cytology Reporting ‐The Evolution of the Paris System,” moderated by Dr. Eva Wojcik.
2. The ASC will have a Companion meeting at the ASCP 2014 meeting in Tampa, September 2014.
3. The ASC will have a session at the European Congress of Cytology in Geneva, September 2014
ASC Annual Scientific Meeting The American Society of Cytopathology presents an Annual Scientific Meeting consisting of scientific lectures, cytology workshops, special courses, diagnostic seminars, poster and platform sessions, panel luncheon seminars, video microscopy tutorials, roundtable discussions, Presidents’ rounds, and technical exhibits. The Meeting is available to and attended by pathologists, cytopathologists, cytotechnologists, students, and other members of related medical and scientific fields. Recordings of selected sessions are available for purchase. The 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting will be held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, November 14 – 18, 2014. eJournal Club Launched in January 2009, the ASC is offering the only online pathology journal club. This is a great educational tool that highlights a recent article from a respected peer‐reviewed journal. The eJournal Club is free educational activity to all ASC members. The eJournal program includes a Webinar summary for each article. Case Studies Case Studies provide an opportunity for you to make diagnostic decisions and compare them with nationally known experts. A new case is outlined in each issue of The ASC Bulletin with images and clinical histories available on the ASC Web site along with a self‐assessment test. New cases have been added to include virtual slides. NOW Free for members.
100 West 10th Street, Suite 605 | Wilmington, DE 19801 | Phone: (302) 543-6583 | Fax: (302) 543-6597 | Email: [email protected] | Web site: cytopathology.org
Progressive Evaluation of Competency (PEC) PEC is a highly successful ASC product that tracks the progress of pathology residents and cytopathology fellows and their overall competency as they begin their cytopathology careers. The PEC program is available to Program Directors who are current ASC members. The ASC is excited to help the future of cytopathology by developing this comprehensive program to ready the next generation of cytopathology professionals. Cyto‐econference The 60‐minute new and improved Cyto‐econference are offered in a webinar format. They feature a live presentation, online reference materials, and a question and answer session so that you benefit from a live educational experience from the comfort of your own home or office. The archive is free with purchase of the live webinar. The webinar format allows for a more interactive experience for registrants. NEW! The Cyto‐econference Committee has added Social Networking to the series, additional questions and answers can be asked via Facebook and Twitter (#asceconf). Archived Cyto‐eConferences are available for purchase from the ASC Marketplace, good for CME/CMLE/SAM education credits for three years from the live presentation dates. Archived listings are available individually or by the series as a link. Several topics are available to choose from. These materials are appropriate for physicians and technologists actively involved in the field of cytopathology. Archives of the conferences can be downloaded and viewed forever.
T h e A S C B u l l e T i n ® i s p u b l i s h e d b y t h e A m e r i c A n s o c i e t y o f c y t o p A t h o l o g y
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Volume li | number 1
JANUARY 2014
I would like to take this opportunity to review where the ASC has been, where we are today, and where we are going. Let me begin, however, with some background on the current state of the nation’s health care as it pertains to members of our profession. The basic challenges in the rapidly evolving health care arena
are not unique to pathology or cytopathology- namely, a relatively new and evolving health care system, workforce shortages, and economic pressures. With the implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act, there will be changes in consumer demographics and new delivery systems. These changes, along with an increased emphasis on health information technology and advances in genomic medicine will demand that we, as health care providers, continue to be innovative, revamp our training and education programs, and deliver our services quite differently than we did and perhaps still do today.
The issue of workforce shortages in pathology and laboratory medicine has been on the minds of the federal government, our professional societies, and our leaders for some time. Our sister organizations, The College of American Pathologists (CAP) and The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), have done substantial work in this area.1,2 Although significant shortages already exist in many areas of laboratory medicine, it has been projected that employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will grow by 13% between 2010 and 2020.3 Pathology and laboratory medicine also have an
Ritu Nayar, MD
message from the Asc president 1
JASC is our Journal! 4
uscAp companion meeting 8
61st Annual scientific meeting Awards and honors 9
62nd Annual scientific meeting - call for Abstracts 13
2014 Asc Awards call for nominations 14
2013-14 Asc executive board and officers 15
call for nominations: executive board and officers 2014-2015 16
case study 17
cyto-econference Webinars, february and march 2014 18
cyto-econference Webinar series 2014-2015 19
pec update 20
book review 21
Asc eJournal 22
in memoriam – piotr Kulesza, md, phd 23
61st Annual scientific meeting recorded sessions 23
aging workforce, associated with recruitment, and training funding challenges. Consider that pathologists are the second oldest practicing specialty (mean age of 57.5 years).4 The projected increase in the number of practicing pathologists of only 3% during the 2000 to 2020 time frame versus the projected required increase of 23% is very concerning.5-7
The Council on Graduate Medical Education sees graduate medical education as an essential public investment in tomorrow’s health care system that furthers the nation’s goal to attain the triple aims of better health, better health care, and lower costs. Approximately $13 billion per year is invested in graduate medical education, which though a sizable amount, is <1% of the $1.4 trillion federal and state expenditures on health care.8,9 The Council on Graduate Medical Education believes that better targeting of graduate medical education money by providing more effective training programs will result in a workforce that is better aligned with the country’s future needs.8 Although the medical community is considered to have been slow in responding to changing health care needs, in the past few years, a number of new requirements for and from medical schools and accreditation organizations have been put forward. Some of these are already in effect and others need to be implemented in 2014-2015. They include competency-based medical education, accreditation changes such as the Next Accreditation System (NAS), the Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Program, and Education milestones, along with new teaching and learning methods such as Practice-based learning (PBL).
Specifically in cytopathology, our practice is changing and continues to do so, in both gynecologic and non-gynecologic areas, bringing with it opportunities for us to be innovative and to take charge of our future. Winston Churchill reminded us that “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
So what has ASC done and what are we planning to do to address our evolving professional and member needs in the coming year(s)?
Our past leaders, so many of whom have been my personal mentors and role models, have paved the path for us over the past decade. The history of ASC’s strategic discussions regarding workforce and preparedness began in November 2001, when ASC members assembled with other cytology leaders at the Cytotechnology Education Consensus Retreat, to discuss the challenges facing cytotechnology educational programs, cytology professionals, and employers. Between 2001 and 2006, ASC conducted surveys, gathered information, and explored ways to define the scope of practice of cytotechnologists in the context of workforce needs. Then ASC developed strategies for cytology educators to gear curricula to address those needs. In 2006, The Forbes Group was hired as a consultant and presented the ASC with a report titled “Plotting the Future of Cytotechnology: An Environmental Analysis of the Driving Forces of Cytology.10” This document outlined changes in market forces and the relationships between pathologists, clinicians, and other specialists that might lead to the emergence of new professions (or professional roles) in the future. It also recommended that the ASC hold an Alternative Futures Summit to engage potential stakeholders in dialogue encompassing different outcomes identified in the report. A summit was held in November 2007, which produced a white paper titled “Facing the Future of Cytopathology,” that focused on discerning the future needs of our profession.11 This document remains a valuable resource for future directions for the cytotechnology professional.
The Cytotechnology Program Review Committee (CPRC), sponsored solely by the ASC for many years, has championed this cause, and just a few days before our Annual Meeting in November 2013, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved “The Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Cytotechnology,” which detailed new entry-level competencies (ELC) for cytotechnologists. The new ELC’s place the curriculum on a modern footing designed to integrate the emerging areas of molecular medicine and digital technology and to provide the basic tools necessary to expand the cytotechnologist’s role in diagnostic pathology. The profession needed these changes to allow for the potential of expanded roles in the future. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get this done!
Today, the ASC has a committed, experienced executive director and staff and a new strategic plan with goals spanning organizational, financial, membership, educational, advocacy, quality, and research-related initiatives. Our greatest asset, however, is you, our members, who come together to support and volunteer to help sustain the ASC and move us forward.
My priorities for the coming year are based on the current “big picture” regarding evolving health care dynamics and the evaluation of our ASC member needs as assessed by surveys and personal communications. So what do our members value about being a part of the ASC family? Professional growth, education, networking, and friendships are high on the list. Thus, I have chosen to focus predominantly on 3 of our strategic goals: education, advocacy, and increasing ASC membership value, with emphasis on teamwork and partnerships.
The ASC’s mission is accomplished in large part due to the energy and dedication of our committee chairs and members toward advancing our strategic goals and keeping our vision alive and focused. This year we have 6 standing committees and 16 ad hoc committees with common responsibilities as well as specific goals. I have put forth expanded initiatives relevant to our challenges and member needs and also appointed additional members to motivate the committees to come up with great ideas and products that will foster our efforts and the ASC mission. In addition, we have 3 ad hoc task forces that have been established to fulfill specific short-term goals. This year, 145 of 294 volunteer positions were new appointees
Today, the ASC has a
committed, experienced
executive director and
staff and a new strategic
plan with goals spanning
organizational, financial,
membership, educational,
advocacy, quality, and
research-related initiatives.
Editor-in-Chiefsyed Z. Ali, md, frcpath
Associate Editorsdina r. mody, md paul e. Wakely, Jr., md eva m. Wojcik, md
Download the app under iTunes, search for Journal of American Society of Cytopathology and carry the Journal with you everywhere!!
JASC will endeavor to have a positive impact not only on all aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment, but also on other human disease. JASC will publish original work emphasizing novel discoveries or clinicopathologic correlations in a patient-centered environment, technological advances in basic and translational research with emphasis on the development of personalized medicine, and new or improved molecular techniques and their novel application for diagnosis or monitoring of disease. preference will also be given to original work demonstrating the scholarship of education in cytopathology including new innovative tools for continuing education and training as well as designing and implementing new assessment and evaluation techniques.
JASC is OUR Journal
Genotype-Specific Prevalence and Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Underserved Latino Women With Abnormal Papanicolaou TestsYimin Ge, MD
Issues in Reporting Cytology: From Headers and Critical Values to Categorical Data and Natural Language ParsersAndrew A. Renshaw, MD
Cytotechnologist Attended On-Site Evaluation of Adequacy for Fine Needle Aspiration of Bone and Soft Tissue NeoplasmsSyed Z. Ali, MD, FRCPath
Squamous Cells in Effusions: A Study of 24 CasesPaul e. Wakely, Jr., MD
Expanding the Entry-Level Competencies for Cytotechnology Programs: Broadening HorizonsMarilee M. Means, PhD, SCT (ASCP)
and 85% of new volunteers were assigned to a committee. If you would like to offer your time and expertise and get involved on ASC committees, do take a few minutes to fill out the volunteer form, which can be found on the member section of the ASC Web site. No effort is too small! The ASC also appoints a large number of liaisons and representatives to various other organizations and committees to collaborate and effectively represent the interests of cytopathology. Please refer to the ASC Web site for a complete listing of ASC committee initiatives and members, so that you can review our goals for the coming year.
With respect to ASC’s support of pathologists’ and cytotechnologists’ training and accreditation efforts:
1. The ASC Cytopathology Program Directors Committee will be compiling resources for our residency and fellowship program directors that will help provide guidance for the many new training and accreditation requirements. This committee also organizes the Annual Meeting’s strategies in cytopathology education session in parallel with the session for cytotechnology training. To ensure representation for cytopathology training and accreditation requirements, the ASC and Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) have joint representation on a newly formed ad hoc Fellowship Directors Committee developed by the Association of Pathology Chairs. The ASC Progressive Evaluation of Competency (PEC) program has proved to be an extremely popular product for residents and fellows and it will be further strengthened in 2014.
2. In 2011, the ASC welcomed ASCP, ASCT and CAP as CPRC co-sponsors. In 2013, the CPRC appointed a subcommittee to undertake the task of providing cytotechnology programs with resources to meet the new entry-level competencies that will take effect in July 2014. The ASC is establishing a specific area on its Web site - CELL (Cytology Education Learning Lab) to support this endeavor. At the time of this writing, the ASC Executive Board and ASC Foundation have just approved funding for the CPRC to work on Phase 2, “Development and Implementation of a Professional Scope of Practice to Fill the Impending Void in Anatomic Pathology.” Rest assured that this dynamic collaborative group will represent us well.
I strongly believe in teamwork and that as professional organizations there is more that unites us than divides us. Thus, we have recently taken the following steps to make sure that ASC participates as a partner in organized leadership, ensuring that we are proactively associating ourselves with the right efforts and advocating for our profession.
1. “We can do more with less.” Sounds familiar, right? In November 2013, ASC and the Papanicolaou Society of Cytology (PSC) appointed a joint ASC-PSC Task Force to review the “Current and Future Role of Cytologic and Small Biopsy Specimens in Ancillary Testing.” We hope that the document generated by this group will provide good guidance on the value of cytopathology in today’s pathology and personalized medicine practice, while also specifying qualitative and quantitative requirements.
2. ASC has joined the Pathology Collaborative Round Table, which was implemented in January 2013 by the Association of Pathology Chairs with the aim of facilitating networking and communication and promoting synergistic planning about issues and joint initiatives of high priority to our profession.
3. Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is being piloted and/or is near implementation in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. In the United States, we have a pending premarket approval supplement to the US Food and Drug Administration seeking the addition of a cervical cancer primary screening indication for the cobas HPV test (Roche Molecular Systems).12 The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and the Society for Gynecologic Oncology have organized
a committee to provide clinical guidance on primary HPV testing, as a mechanism for cervical cancer screening in the United States. The ASC/CAP/ASCP jointly appointed two pathology representatives and one alternate to this group, which began its work in November 2013. Guidance from this effort is expected to be forthcoming in 2014.
4. A Multi Society Pathology Workforce Summit has been organized by CAP, Association of Pathology Chairs, ASCP, and USCAP. The initial meeting was held in December 2013, to articulate the broad strokes of a statement of workforce needs in pathology and laboratory medicine, suitable for sharing with health policy decision makers and key stakeholders. Its focus will be on changes in training (and recruitment) of pathologists and laboratory professionals, how these shortages are likely to affect the workforce’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities to patients, and to identify shared opportunities to advance workforce issues. ASC and our interests are represented by the ASC President.
5. The ASC collaborates with ASCP, American Society for Cytotechnology, CAP, International Academy of Cytology, and PSC on the Cytopathology Education and Technology Consortium (CETC); ASC also provides the CETC’s administrative leadership support. The history of the CETC is rich and interesting; I refer you to the September 2013 issue of The ASC Bulletin to read about its accomplishments on behalf of cytopathology.13 In 2013, we updated the CETC policies and goals to align them with the current practice of cytopathology. Look out for an updated HPV test utilization statement to be published in early 2014 by this group, as well as other collaborative efforts that can be best achieved by multi-society participation.
6. The ASC’s Companion Meeting Committee organizes educational sessions at a number of other pathology meetings, in coordination with both national and international professional organizations. In the coming year, we hope to expand these further to include non-pathology organizations and begin to give some awards in recognition of participants’ work in cytopathology.
7. ASC has a memorandum of understanding with the ASCP, and we recently signed a nondisclosure agreement with the CAP to explore additional areas of overlapping interest. We look forward to further increasing collaborations with both of these societies. We are also actively exploring non-pathology organization collaborations.
The above mentioned partnerships pertain to advocacy for our profession; however, my additional goals in the coming year are to increase advocacy efforts with allied health care organizations and patient advocacy groups and to help connect ASC members who wish to volunteer to help with education, training, and hands-on services required in low-resource areas. This charge is among the initiatives assigned to the newly named ASC Public Information and Advocacy Committee.
Our members (and nonmembers) have asked about ASC’s support of the local and state cytopathology organizations. The identified needs include time and cost effective networking, and continuing medical education credits. Over the past year, the ASC Executive Board cytotechnologists and representatives from the ASCP have been developing a course that will be held in 2014 in California. In addition to the ASCP, the California Society of Pathologists will also participate in this joint endeavor. This upcoming year, the Executive Board will look into how ASC may be able to provide support to sustain local/state cytology societies, and if warranted, the details of such support and a pilot will follow in 2014.
ASC educational efforts are strong and appreciated by our members. The Scientific Program and Cyto-econference committees and The ASC Bulletin Editorial Board and eJournal Committee must be congratulated for continuing to provide a wonderful balance of basic research and new clinical applications that keep us current. We now have JASC to add support to the ASC education and research missions. ASC provides a significant number of Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) approved continuing medical education/self-assessment module credits. Make sure you know how to take advantage of free CME and SAMs offered by the ASC. In the coming year, ASC will also take the lead on two exciting new educational endeavors: (1) establish a standardized terminology for urinary cytology, in collaboration with the International Academy of Cytology, and disseminate it via a print atlas and educational web atlas; and (2) publish the third edition of the cervical cytology Bethesda Atlas and update the corresponding Web Atlas. Both these educational task forces will ask for your input on draft recommendations on the ASC Web site. Please do participate and share your opinion, and stay tuned for the results to be shared in various upcoming national and international forums. A newly named and expanded ASC Web site Committee has been charged with coordinating the look, functionality, and ease of finding relevant information for ASC Web site users.
In summary, the Society is proactively keeping abreast of anticipated changes in the health care arena by: (1) providing continuing education, discussion forums, and timely information to our members; (2) being engaged and present in the right place, at the right time; and (3) partnering with other professional organizations, other health care workers, and patients to help shape the future of our profession. These initiatives are true to the ASC vision, Saving Lives One Cell at a Time through Innovation, Teamwork, Education, and Advocacy.
I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year and am privileged to have the opportunity to give back a little to the organization that has been such an important part of my professional life. Thank you in advance for your dedication, commitment, and hard work on behalf of the ASC, cytopathology, and the patients we serve.
1. ASCP 2013 Task Force on the Laboratory Professionals Workforce. Building a laboratory workforce to meet the future. Available at: http://www.ascp.org/PDF/Advocacy/ASCP-Task-Force-on-Lab-Pros.pdf. Accessed November 4, 2013.
2. Robboy SJ, Weintraub S, Horvath AE, et al., for the Workforce Project Work Group. Pathologist workforce in the United States [e-pub ahead of print]. Arch Pathol Lab Med. http://dx.doi.org/10.5858/arpa.2013-0200-OA, Accessed November 4, 2013.
3. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment projections. May 2012. Available at: http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_201.htm. Accessed November 4, 2013.
4. AAMC 2012 Physician Specialty Data Book. Available at: https://www.aamc.org/data. Accessed November 30, 2013.
5. Health Resources and Services Administration. Physician supply and demand: projections to 2020. Available at: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/supplydemand/medicine/physician2020projections.pdf. Accessed November 4, 2013.
6. American Association of Medical Colleges. The complexities of physician supply and demand: projections through 2025. Available at: http://www.innovationlabs.com/pa_future/1/background_docs/AAMC%20Complexities%20of%20physician%20demand,%202008.pdf. Accessed November 5, 2013.
7. The physician workforce: projections and research into current issues affecting supply and demand. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. December 2008. Accessed November 30, 2013.
8. Council on Graduate Medical Education. Twenty-First report: improving value in graduate medical education. Available at: http://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/bhpradvisory/cogme/Reports/twentyfirstreport.pdf. Accessed November 4, 2013.
9. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National health expenditure projections 2009-2019: forecast summary. Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/proj2009.pdf. Accessed November 4, 2013.
10. The Forbes Group. Plotting the future of cytotechnology: an environmental analysis of the driving forces of cytology. Available at: www.cytopathology.org. Accessed November 4, 2013.
11. ASC. Facing the future of cytopathology. Available at: http://www.cytopathology.org/wp-content/dynamic_uploads/3439.pdf. Accessed November 4, 2013.
12. Roche Molecular Diagnostics. Roche submits filing to FDA for cervical cancer primary screening indication for cobas HPV test. Available at: http://molecular.roche.com/News/LocalNews/Pages RochesubmitsfilingtoFDAforcervicalcancerprimaryscreening indicationforcobasHPVTest.aspx. Accessed November 4, 2013.
13. The ASC Bulletin September 2013. Available at: http://www.cytopathology.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/The-ASC-Bulletin-September-2013.pdf. Accessed November 30, 2013.
if you are attending the uscAp Annual meeting, please participate in the
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CYTOPATHOLOGY COMPANION MEETING:
USCAP COMPANION MEETING
• FromBethesdatoParis-EstablishingStandardizedReportingSystems dr. ritu nayar, northwestern university, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, illinois
• UrineCytology-WhatReallyMatters?PathogenesisofUrothelialCarcinoma dr. eva m. Wojcik, loyola university Medical Center, Maywood, illinois
• UrineCytologyReports-Whatissignificantforme?TheUrologist’sPerspective dr. marcus Quek, loyola university Medical Center, Maywood, illinois
• AdequacyCriteriaforInstrumentedUrines(Finally!)andProposedDiagnosticCategoriesandFrequencies dr. güliz barkan, loyola university Medical Center, Maywood, illinois
• WhatdoweneedtocallUrine"Positive"? dr. dorothy rosenthal, Johns hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday March 2, 2014San Diego Convention Center • San Diego, California
Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:30 pmThe Quest for Standardization of Urine Cytology Reporting The Evolution of the Paris SystemDr. eva M. Wojcik, loyola university Medical Center, Maywood, illinois
