NORTHFIELD, Ill — The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s leading pathology organization, published its 75^th anniversary book – In Further Pursuit of Excellence (1946-2020): Honoring our Past. Harnessing our Future. This historical account of the profession comes at a pivotal moment when the world recognizes the value pathologists bring to health care. The pandemic thrust pathologists into a global crisis where they had to get COVID testing up and running at a time of great urgency and uncertainty.

Former CAP President R. Bruce Williams, MD, FCAP saw the importance of a book like this to showcase the significant role pathologists have always played in medicine and highlight their current contributions. This book takes readers on a journey to discover the continuing achievements of the CAP in furthering excellence in pathology and laboratory medicine, keeping the skills of pathologists current, and advocating in the nation’s capital and in every state on behalf of patient health.

“As a past president of the CAP and with over 40 years of active membership, it has been a privilege and a great pleasure to shepherd this book to conclusion and to revisit the storied history of the CAP,” said Paul Bachner, MD, FCAP, principal author and senior editor.

The book looks back at the early days of the CAP and the high standards that were set for laboratory quality, the advancement of the science of pathology, research, education, and more. A special chapter features the CAP’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing pathologists working on the front lines who shun the label of heroes, while they continue to save lives, make people healthier, and better understand this deadly virus.

Chad McCall, MD, PhD, FCAP, laboratory director, Carolinas Pathology Group and Atrium Health, offered insights on where technology will take the profession in the years ahead. He said, “Over the next 5-10 years, I predict that molecular and genomic testing will become a daily part of the jobs of most pathologists. Even if we are not all interpreting the actual molecular tests, we will be ordering them to help us subclassify most of the cancers we diagnose.”

A hard bound copy of the book can be ordered from the CAP’s eStore under “featured offerings” (at no cost except shipping). To read a PDF copy of the book, see the CAP’s historical timeline.

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, READ THE CAP ANNUAL REPORT at CAP.ORG