NORTHFIELD, Ill.—Doctors and physicians are often recognized for their dedication to the health of their patients, but the usually unseen pathologists who make the diagnoses rarely receive thanks or honors. Patients usually don’t know when pathologists have helped save their lives.
The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest association of board-certified pathologists, honored two of its members for their immense contribution to projects and initiatives directly affecting patient care. The members accepted their awards at two ceremonies during CAP16: The Pathologists' Meeting in Las Vegas, September 24–28.
CAP Distinguished Patient Care Award
Kathleen G. Beavis, MD, FCAP: Current director of microbiology and immunology laboratories at the University of Chicago Medical Center and a professor of pathology at the University of Chicago School of Medicine. Dr. Beavis established a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create the CAP Laboratory Preparedness Exercise, which helps labs prepare for health emergencies such as epidemics or occurrences of bioterrorism. She said, "Whether working with pathologists, other laboratory professionals, clinicians, or administrators, I have tried to maintain a constant openness to growth and differing perspectives, as well as a focus on excellent patient care."
CAP Foundation Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award
Sang Wu, MD, FCAP: Currently the medical director for laboratory services at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas, and a pathologist with North Dallas Pathology Services. Dr. Wu is being honored for his commitment to patient care after he hosted the Dallas-Fort Worth area's first See, Test & Treat® program. See, Test & Treat is the CAP Foundation’s program that provides free cervical and breast screenings, along with other health-related services to underserved women across the United States. Planning on expanding the program in the coming years, he said, "This leads to our ultimate goal of treating and restoring health to all See, Test & Treat participants."
About the College of American Pathologists
As the leading organization for board-certified pathologists, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. With 18,000 physician members, the CAP has led laboratory accreditation for more than 50 years with more than 7,900 CAP-accredited laboratories in 50 countries. Find more information about the CAP at CAP.ORG. Follow CAP on Twitter at @PATHOLOGISTS.