NORTHFIELD, Ill.—Patients are often quick to thank their doctors—and for good reason—but whom do doctors have to thank for their knowledge and passion? More often than not, it's their medical instructors.
The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world's largest association of board-certified pathologists, honored three of its members for their contributions to pedagogy both in early and continuing medical education. The members accepted their awards at a ceremony during CAP16: The Pathologists' Meeting in Las Vegas, September 24–28.
CAP Excellence in Teaching Award
Richard M. Scanlan, MD, FCAP: Currently a professor of pathology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. Dr. Scanlan also chairs the CAP's Commission on Laboratory Accreditation and is the instructor for the Laboratory Medical Direction Advanced Practical Pathology Program—both of which help ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients of medical laboratories. He said, "The opportunity to interact with pathologists in these small group sessions and discuss real-life problems faced by laboratory medical directors has been a unique opportunity and has resulted in lasting friendships between learners, faculty, and CAP education staff."
Excellence in Education Award
Walter H. Henricks, MD, FCAP: Current vice chair of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute and the medical director for the Center for Pathology Informatics, both at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Dr. Henricks acts on the CAP Clinical Informatics Steering Committee, the Council on Accreditation, and the Informatics Committee. He has helped direct informatics education to advance the specialty of pathology through a new health care landscape. "I'm a big believer in the CAP's educational mission," Dr. Henricks said.
CAP Resident Advocate Award
Joseph Allan Tucker, MD, FCAP: Receiving this award posthumously, Dr. Tucker served as a professor and chair of the pathology department, as well as the director of anatomic pathology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Throughout his career, he was known to be an enthusiastic, brilliant, and inspiring teacher who inspired many medical students to choose pathology as a specialty. "Dr. Tucker was an outstanding teacher and a compassionate physician who had a profound positive impact on students and faculty alike," said Samuel J. Strada, PhD, dean of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.
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.