CHICAGO, Ill.—Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP, is the newly elected President of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). At a meeting of the membership on Saturday, October 7, 2023, Dr. Karcher was inaugurated as the organization’s 38th President.
Dr. Karcher is celebrating 45 years as a practicing pathologist, beginning his career as an Army pathologist, moving to private practice and now, currently in academia. “As pathologists we all share the same challenges, celebrate the same victories, and deal with the same defeats. I feel there is special value in having one organization where all pathologists can come together to advocate, learn, and work to benefit our profession and our patients. And I strongly believe the CAP is that organization.”
Goals during his presidency include maintaining the leadership of the CAP in advocating for what pathologists need to practice successfully and increasing the positive impact of the CAP in clinical laboratories and pathology practices both in the United States and internationally. Another goal is to assure pathologists are increasingly visible to the healthcare system and to their patients. This includes providing formal consultations to other physicians and having direct consultations with patients and their family members, helping to explain a critical or life-changing diagnosis. “I very much want to see the CAP continue to support this more visible, more expansive kind of practice. We are the patient’s doctor,” explains Dr. Karcher, “in every sense of those words.”
Along with CAP members and staff, he will also be working towards removing as many health disparities as possible and helping under-resourced pathologists and clinical laboratories around the world get access to what the CAP has to offer. “I also want to see the CAP complete its journey to full diversity and equity in everything we do,” said Dr. Karcher.
In addition, there is a mounting shortage of pathologists but a growing demand for pathology services. “The CAP, I’m proud to say, started a Pathologist Pipeline initiative a few years ago and this initiative, even in its early stages, is starting to bend the curve. We now have more medical students aware of pathology as a great career option, and pathology residency programs are experiencing better recruiting results.”
Dr. Karcher is Professor and Immediate Past Chair, Department of Pathology, at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC. He has been on the faculty in the Department of Pathology for many years, rising through the ranks to become Pathology Chair, a role in which he served for 20 years. He is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP) as well as Hematopathology and continues to actively practice and teach at GW.
He received his MD degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Completing his residency training in AP/CP at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio), Texas, he then served as Director of Hematopathology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC and subsequently at LSU Medical Center in New Orleans.
Prior to becoming President, Dr. Karcher has been a longstanding member of the CAP Board of Governors and Executive Committee as well as active in many CAP councils and committees.
“My hope is that all pathologists will join the important work of the CAP. It has certainly made me a better pathologist and a better leader. Having those important connections is key to an exciting and productive career.”
Dr. Karcher is married to his high school sweetheart, Lois, and he has three children and seven grandchildren, all of whom he is immensely proud of. An avid “do it-yourselfer,” Dr. Karcher is currently working on rehabbing the basement of his home.
About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, 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. For more information, visit the CAP Newsroom, CAP.org and yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care.