2025 ASCP Report to Membership: A Year in Review

As members of the pathology and laboratory medicine community, we carry both the responsibility and the privilege of uncovering answers to medicine’s most complex questions on behalf of our patients. The results, interpretive insights, and expertise in test selection we provide are essential to excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 

As the only organization representing every member of the pathology and laboratory medicine team, ASCP leads the way in connecting you to the latest innovations in the field, while also providing resources, advocacy, and research that help you excel in your unique role and help you put patients at the center of your practice. 

Throughout 2025, we upheld our unwavering dedication to that essential value: putting our patients first. The progress we achieved together as a community has directly improved the lives of countless patients. We continue to emphasize that pathology and laboratory medicine is not merely a part of the healthcare system, it is its beating heart. Every specimen signed out, every test performed, every result delivered, and every diagnosis supported holds the power to transform lives. This profound responsibility drives us forward, and we are proud that 2025 stands as a testament to our shared mission of advancing patient-centered care.

Our progress and success are a direct reflection of the strength, commitment, and passion of you, our members. In the 2025 Annual Report, we revisit the significant accomplishments that you have helped us achieve, including:

The ASCP Annual Meeting in Atlanta, which brought together a community of pathologists, pathology residents, laboratory professionals, students, and industry leaders for several days of cutting-edge education, collaboration, and inspiration. The event featured visionary keynote addresses from genomic pioneers Dr. J. Craig Venter and Dr. Francis Collins, who shared their insights on the future of precision medicine and the vital role of pathology and laboratory medicine in advancing patient care.

ASCP’s ongoing advocacy and the eventual vacating of the FDA’s final rule on Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs). We stand firm in our commitment to ensure that pathologists and laboratory professionals can continue to innovate and deliver critical testing services without regulatory barriers that could harm patients. In partnership with our coalition allies, ASCP remains a leading voice in this effort, working tirelessly to protect patient access to timely, accurate, and life-saving diagnostics.

ASCP’s continued Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)—a distinction that reaffirms our leadership in providing high-quality, evidence-based education that empowers pathologists and laboratory professionals to advance patient outcomes and excellence in care.

Our achievements are tangible proof that we are STRONGERTOGETHER. ASCP is honored to stand alongside you, and in 2026, we look forward to continuing to grow, lead, and advance together. 

Gregory Davis, MD, MSPH, FASCP, 2025-2026 ASCP President

Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, ASCP Interim Chief Executive Officer

KNOWLEDGE

Central to ASCP’s achievements are the pathologists and laboratory professionals who advance the laboratory, enhance its recognition, and validate our essential contribution to delivering superior, patient-focused care. In 2025, our dedication to providing exceptional education and resources was reinforced by our mission to enable members to deliver outstanding care.

ASCP earns top-tier ACCME Accreditation with Commendation

ASCP has achieved the status of Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), placing it among the top continuing medical education providers. This prestigious recognition honors organizations that excel in pedagogy, engagement, evaluation, and innovation while producing meaningful outcomes in healthcare education. It also acknowledges CME providers that advance interprofessional collaboration, address public health priorities, and leverage technology to improve patient care. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of ASCP’s education team and members. The elite status, valid for six years, signifies ASCP’s leadership in delivering evidence-based, unbiased education that enhances clinician practices and patient outcomes. To achieve this status, providers must meet core ACCME criteria and demonstrate excellence in at least eight commendation areas, including outcomes and team-based education. Ultimately, the recognition reinforces ASCP’s mission to improve patient care through impactful and innovative educational programs.

ASCP launches Performance and Diagnostics Insights 

In 2025, ASCP launched Performance and Diagnostics Insights (PDI), a new platform that helps healthcare organizations use pathology laboratory data to improve performance and patient care. PDI provides laboratories and health systems with benchmarking tools and quality performance insights to measure, compare, and optimize their operations, test utilization, and quality. The platform addresses a major challenge in laboratory medicine by enabling efficient data ingestion, transformation, and analysis across diverse institutions while integrating seamlessly with existing Laboratory Information Systems and Electronic Health Records. 

Built with HIPAA-compliant security protocols, PDI captures data in real time while protecting patient information and ensuring regulatory compliance. Healthcare organizations can use PDI to benchmark national standards, identify efficiency improvements, and translate quality metrics into strategies for better patient care. The platform helps laboratories demonstrate their value by providing data-driven visibility to optimize operations, improve turnaround times, and maintain high standards despite resource constraints. PDI is available nationwide to healthcare organizations seeking to enhance their laboratory medicine capabilities.

Pathology Clinics help shape patient care

2025 also saw ASCP’s launch of Pathology Clinics: Design, Delivery & Impact. This seven-module, on-demand certificate program was created by experienced pathologists to teach others how to establish and integrate patient-facing clinics into pathology practice. Pathology clinics provide patients with direct access to pathologists to better understand their diagnoses, review slides, discuss treatment plans, and explore genetic risks with family members. These clinics are particularly important in the age of artificial intelligence and increased patient access to medical records through the CURES Act, as they preserve the human connection and provide empathetic education. 

The ASCP certificate program provides practical guidance, case examples, and patient testimonials to demonstrate how pathology clinics enhance communication, improve outcomes, and give patients a better understanding of their diagnoses. Participants earn 11 CME credits and a certificate of completion while learning a complete step-by-step process for implementing pathology clinics at their own institutions.

Biomarker Testing Navigation Program enhances patient care and treatment outcomes 

ASCP rolled out a new Cancer Biomarker Testing Navigation (BTN) Certificate Program in 2025, designed to help laboratory professionals improve cancer biomarker testing processes in healthcare facilities. The program addresses the complexity and inefficiencies in cancer biomarker testing, which is essential for oncology precision medicine and treatment planning. The certificate program requires participants to complete six essential modules and two of five elective modules, covering topics from foundations of precision medicine to quality management and financial considerations. ASCP began studying the feasibility of a Biomarker Testing Navigator role in 2023 through a three-phase project supported by AstraZeneca, which included an online survey, focus groups, and pilot studies at two cancer centers. The research findings, published in a June 2025 article in AJCP, revealed that without dedicated staff to oversee biomarker testing, processes were often fragmented and inefficient. The pilot studies demonstrated that Biomarker Testing Navigators could coordinate multigene sequencing panels, expedite critical steps, reduce testing delays, and ensure smooth laboratory operations. The six core education modules were released in early June 2025, with the five elective modules launched in October 2025, and each completed module offers one CMLE credit. ASCP also released additional tools and established an online community in November to support program participants, with the ultimate goal of ensuring more patients receive the right cancer biomarker tests and achieve better outcomes.

KnowledgeLab 2025 

2025 KnowledgeLab was held April 7–8 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and offered laboratory leaders and aspiring leaders the chance to learn from experts and network with peers facing similar challenges. Attendees engaged in small group sessions of about 30 participants, allowing for direct interaction with presenters and meaningful peer discussions. KnowledgeLab’s sessions covered key leadership and management topics such as workforce development, leading through change, and linking quality with change management. The Opening Keynote, delivered by Kamran Mirza, MD, PhD, FASCP, MLS(ASCP), explored how artificial intelligence is transforming laboratory diagnostics. Additional sessions addressed laboratory stewardship, adapting to changes in healthcare, employee engagement, and using advocacy tools to secure leadership investment.

ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting

The ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting, held November 17-20 in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together members of the laboratory community from around the world for an exceptional program of education, innovation, and networking. The meeting featured two of the most groundbreaking scientific figures of our time as keynote speakers: Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Craig Venter.

Dr. Collins, best known for his leadership of the Human Genome Project and his 12-year tenure as director of the National Institutes of Health, delivered the Special General Session Scientific Keynote. His presentation explored how genomic science has transformed patient care. Dr. Venter, who co-led the race to sequence the human genome and pioneered synthetic biology, presented the Opening General Session Scientific Keynote, sharing his vision of harnessing genomics to improve health and sustainability.

The meeting offered more than 90 educational sessions developed by renowned experts, providing pathologists and laboratory professionals with premier learning opportunities across all areas of practice. Key presentations included sessions on laboratory developed tests and future regulatory directions, emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats, and cancer biomarker testing navigation. 

Deep Dive Workshops on November 17 offered intensive learning experiences, including the TRIG Workshop: Genomics 101, which provided hands-on instruction with genomic pathology tools, and sessions on laboratory data analysis and leadership coaching. The Society of Black Pathology Day of Culture celebrated voices from across the global pathology community, exploring health equity and cross-continental solutions.

Throughout the meeting, attendees had ample opportunities to network with peers from across the nation and around the world, sharing ideas and perspectives in an interdisciplinary environment that integrated laboratory medicine, pathology, and public health. The event’s unique focus on both cutting-edge science and professional advocacy, combined with its commitment to workforce development and health equity, created an energizing atmosphere that left attendees inspired about their role in the future of patient care.

The ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting once again demonstrated why it stands as the premier gathering for the pathology and laboratory medicine community, delivering actionable learning that professionals can immediately apply in their practice.

VALUE OF CREDENTIALING

The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) credentials are a trusted mark of excellence, setting the standard for medical laboratory professionals and ensuring the highest quality of patient care. For professionals, ASCP BOC certification and qualification credentials validate expertise, enhance career opportunities, and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning. Credentials open doors to leadership roles, higher salaries, and global recognition. For patients, ASCP BOC credentialed professionals signals alignment with accurate testing, reliable results, and better health outcomes. 

Credly digital badging to benefit credential holders 

In 2025, the ASCP BOC launched a major initiative to modernize credential recognition, verification safety, and sharing of credentials earned by professionals. The ASCP BOC is finalizing details for the introduction of digital badging through Credly in early 2026.

This initiative goes beyond a technology upgrade; it is a strategic step toward greater visibility, security, and recognition for laboratory professionals. Digital badges will feature embedded, fraud-proof metadata that verifies the credential earned, the credential issue date, and their credential maintenance current status.

For professionals, digital badges extend far beyond traditional wall certificates. They can be shared instantly on LinkedIn, résumés, email signatures, or personal websites, making achievements visible to employers, peers, and the global healthcare community. Each badge offers real-time, one-click verification, strengthening trust in professional designations.

Employers also benefit, as Credly’s encrypted platform reduces the risk of fraud and streamlines verification processes. ASCP BOC’s 2025 work underscores its leadership in credentialing innovation and commitment to advancing careers, global recognition, and improved patient outcomes.

Excellence in credentialing through accreditation 

In 2025, the ASCP BOC reaffirmed its commitment to excellence by maintaining the accreditation of 22 certification credentials through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under ISO/IEC 17024 standards. This achievement reflects not only compliance with globally recognized benchmarks for personnel certification but also ASCP BOC’s dedication to upholding the highest levels of quality and integrity in the credentialing of laboratory professionals.

Accreditation through ANAB ensures that ASCP BOC credentialing programs are developed and administered in accordance with best practices and industry standards, thereby strengthening the confidence of employers, educators, and the healthcare community. It validates ASCP BOC’s rigorous processes and reinforces the value of its credentials in advancing professional practice worldwide. Furthermore, it demonstrates to peer-professionals and patients alike that ASCP BOC credentials embody credibility and a commitment to excellence.

Auto-eligibility: Continuing to drive workforce advocacy and effectiveness 

The ASCP BOC continues to advance success with auto-eligibility, a process that has transformed the time it takes for verification of program completion to scheduling a credentialing examination. Since its implementation, applications from students in accredited laboratory professional programs are automatically flagged as eligible within 24–48 hours of payment. Program directors can then immediately verify program completion through the electronic eligibility verification (EEV) system.

Importantly, auto-eligibility does not lessen the rigor of requirements. Individuals are not credentialed until official transcripts have been received and verified, ensuring that all academic standards are fully met. This balance between efficiency and integrity ensures that the process is a genuine win for students and programs.

Since 2023, nearly 25,000 applicants continued to benefit from the streamlined auto-eligibility process. This advancement has reduced wait times from three to four weeks down to just two days, enabling graduates to schedule their ASCP BOC examinations at their preferred date, time, and location, and accelerating their entry into the workforce. For program directors, auto-eligibility has eliminated unnecessary bottlenecks and created a more responsive, student-focused system. This optimization stands as a clear win, helping ASCP BOC serve both educators and future professionals more effectively.

Elevating value through exhibits and value of credentialing research 

ASCP BOC continued to focus its exhibits, outreach, and publications to underscore the patient-centered value of credentialing. By tailoring experiences to regional and professional audiences, ASCP BOC strengthened connections with the laboratory community and highlighted how credentialing supports career advancement and long-term workforce sustainability.

In 2025, ASCP BOC’s exhibit and research presence spanned key events, including the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), the ASCLS and Association of Genetic Technologists’ (AGTs') Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), the Association for Public Health Laboratories’ (APHL) Annual Conference, HOSA–Future Health Professionals’ International Leadership Conference, and the Association for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine’s (ADLM) Clinical Laboratory Exposition; also beyond the exhibit hall, the team conducted international outreach and ASCP BOC credential awareness activities at World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai. Each engagement showcased ongoing research, such as stacked credentialing and workforce development, that demonstrated the real-world value of ASCP BOC credentials in shaping career trajectories and improving patient outcomes.

This outreach strategy ensures that every ASCP BOC exhibit, panel, and publication not only informs laboratory professionals and other key stakeholders, but also reinforces the essential role credentials play in enhancing patient care and building a sustainable future for ASCP BOC credential holders.

ASCP BOC and U.S. military collaborative advancements  

In 2025, the ASCP BOC advanced its collaboration with the U.S. military, reinforcing the importance of credentials in military laboratory practice. The Air Force, Army, and Navy now require the Medical Laboratory Scientist—MLS(ASCP)—credential for commissioned officers serving as laboratory managers and directors. This milestone underscores the growing recognition of ASCP BOC credentials in ensuring readiness, accuracy, and patient safety across military health systems.

Alongside this achievement, ASCP BOC deepened advocacy with the Department of Defense and federal partners to address credentialing pathways, workforce alignment, and classification standards, key steps toward ensuring service members’ expertise are fully recognized during and after military service.

These efforts were further highlighted when the collaborative ASCP BOC–military research poster on credentialing and workforce sustainability, titled “Advancing Military-Trained Laboratory Professionals Through ASCP BOC Credentialing to Improve Patient Care and Workforce Sustainability,” was selected as a blue-ribbon finalist in the Healthcare Equity category of the 2025 ASCP Annual Meeting Poster Showcase. This recognition celebrates the shared commitment of the military and ASCP BOC to advancing workforce equity, career mobility, and patient-centered excellence.

Inaugural 2024 ASCP BOC Year in Review Highlights Report and launch of the new ASCP BOC website 

The release of the 2024 ASCP BOC Year in Review Highlights Report in 2025 celebrates everything the ASCP BOC represents: service to patients, dedication to professionals, and a commitment to advancing the highest standards in laboratory medicine worldwide. The report highlights the scope of ASCP BOC initiatives, from credentialing excellence and global partnerships to advocacy, publications, and workforce engagement. With 650,000+ credentials earned in 119 countries, ASCP BOC’s impact is both far-reaching and vital, ensuring integrity and patient trust across the laboratory workforce.

This report also honors the people behind the mission, the ASCP BOC team, whose expertise, collaboration, and passion drive every examination, credential, partnership, and initiative. Most importantly, the report emphasizes that each credential is more than a professional milestone; it is a promise to patients. The 2024 report is a celebration of credentialing, the ASCP BOC team, and the professionals elevating patient care worldwide.

In November, the ASCP BOC officially launched its newly redesigned website, reflecting ASCP BOC’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and service to the global medical laboratory community.

The updated website delivers a more intuitive, accessible, and engaging user experience, supporting not only professional growth but also the ultimate goal shared by ASCP BOC credentialed laboratory professionals: protecting patient safety and improving health outcomes.

Key enhancements of the new ASCP BOC website include a streamlined application experience; enhanced communication tools; and dedicated sections that recognize achievements. This website launch represents more than a technology upgrade; it is a strategic investment for the professionals who make modern healthcare possible. Visit ascp.org/boc to explore the new site.

RECOGNITION

ASCP’s impact on pathology and laboratory medicine is achieved through the essential support of our members. In 2025, we proudly honored members’ steadfast dedication to the profession and worked diligently to amplify the significance of their vital role in healthcare, as they continue to define the future of the field.

2025 ASCP 40 Under Forty

ASCP launched its inaugural 40 Under Forty program in 2014, ­recognizing the top 40 high achieving ASCP member pathologists, laboratory professionals, and pathology residents under the age of 40 for their achievements, leadership, and ability to effect change in pathology and laboratory medicine. To learn more about 40 Under Forty, visit ascp.org/40UnderForty. 

Out of the 40 2025 honorees, the 2025 Top Five honorees were identified based on public voting and committee selection.

Dr. Yembur Ahmad is Medical Director of the Blood Donor Center and Associate Medical Director of the Blood Bank at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She is also a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. 

Dr. Swikrity Baskota is Clinical Assistant Professor and Cytopathology Fellowship Director, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, at UC Davis Health Medical Center.

Dr. Sophia Bellegarde is an Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Resident at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. She began her laboratory career in microbiology and ultimately found her passion in the blood bank.

Dr. June Chan is an Assistant Attending on the Clinical Microbiology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the director of the Microbiology Core, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, and Virology sections, and an assistant director of the Clinical Laboratory at Koch Center.

Dr. Santosh Kadel is a Clinical Architect, Laboratory Medicine for ChristianaCare health system. He left his native Nepal to study biochemistry in the U.S. and has focused his work in the areas of laboratory stewardship, test standardization, education, quality assurance, research, and regulatory compliance to enhance patient care.

Expanding eligibility for Leading Laboratories

ASCP relaunched its Leading Laboratories recognition program in 2025, expanding eligibility to include laboratories accredited by providers beyond The Joint Commission.

The Leading Laboratories designation recognizes laboratory teams for exemplary leadership, mentorship, and innovative best practices that support a positive, patient-centric mission while increasing visibility for laboratories and their vital role in healthcare. The program provides a set of criteria developed by laboratory leaders to quantify and exhibit excellence in elevating quality outcomes, supporting professional development, cultivating trusted leadership, and promoting laboratory visibility. This designation offers public recognition of meaningful achievements in improving patient outcomes, demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development, and provides proof of leadership dedication to both teams and patients. 

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo laboratory is the first laboratory to achieve the Leading Labortories recognition since the program’s relaunch. The CMHHIP Laboratory fosters a collaborative and transparent environment by partnering with medical providers, hospital leadership, community organizations, and staff to enhance quality outcomes. It actively supports employees’ professional growth by providing resources and encourages open communication and idea-sharing to facilitate process improvement. Additionally, the laboratory emphasizes visibility and community engagement, aiming to shift perceptions by highlighting the vital role of scientists in patient care, thereby encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of their contributions in a clinical setting. 

The Leading Laboratories designation has helped laboratories foster deeper collaboration with nursing, providers, and executive leadership while championing patient-centered initiatives that reduce diagnostic errors and improve turnaround times. The expanded program represents ASCP’s commitment to celebrating laboratories and showcasing their positive impact on patients while providing a strategic roadmap for excellence that reinforces laboratory value within health systems.

2025 Laboratory Stewardship Champions focus on Effective Test Utilization 

ASCP continually advocates for effective test utilization and annually calls for recommendations that can improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. The Laboratory Stewardship Champions (formerly known as Choosing Wisely Champions) program recognizes the efforts of dedicated pathologists and laboratory professionals for making informed decisions about lab testing. 

In 2025, two individuals were recognized as the ASCP Laboratory Stewardship Champions.

Daniel Mettman, MD, is a pathologist at the Kansas City VA Medical Center and is board-certified in anatomic, clinical, and cytopathology. Dr. Mettman addressed the issue of requesting comprehensive genomic profiling, an expensive test that uses a significant amount of patient tissue, which has increased exponentially over the last decade as indications have expanded. At the Kansas City VA, Dr. Mettman developed a consult in the VA electronic medical record system to oversee these requests. He shared the process, and assisted with implementation at other sites in Kansas City, Manhattan, and Dallas.

Joshua Deignan, PhD, is a clinical professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and an associate director of the UCLA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories, specializing in the areas of molecular genetics and genomics. Genetic tests offer critical clinical insights but often suffer from long turnaround times, limiting their impact on inpatient care when results arrive after discharge. UCLA Pathology addressed this by implementing a workflow that incorporates decision support and electronic consults to assess the appropriateness of genetic tests ordered for inpatients.

Effective Test Utilization best practices for 2025 

ASCP established four key recommendations for Effective Test Utilization (ETU) in 2025, aimed at optimizing laboratory testing practices and improving patient care while reducing unnecessary testing. They include: 

• Routine ordering of Streptococcus pneumoniae urine antigen is discouraged for community-acquired pneumonia, especially in non-severe cases.
• Clinician-ordered peripheral smear review by pathologist in routine practice is discouraged. Instead, a complete blood count with differential (CBC with differential) should be ordered. 
• Use serum free light chain testing with serum protein electrophoresis for evaluating multiple myeloma. 
• Repeat Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) testing is discouraged for at least 25 days from the previous result for patients with actively treated disease.

These evidence-based recommendations reflect ASCP’s ongoing commitment to promoting high-value laboratory medicine practices that enhance patient outcomes while ensuring efficient use of healthcare resources.

ASCP 2025 award winners

ASCP honors the remarkable achievements of its members who have advanced both the Society and the profession, as well as patients who have helped increase awareness and understanding of the medical laboratory’s impact. At the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, these exceptional individuals were celebrated for their unwavering dedication to advancing pathology and laboratory medicine and enhancing patient care. Through these recognitions, ASCP highlights the critical role pathologists and laboratory professionals play in healthcare.

To learn more about these awards, visit ascp.org/awards.

REACH + INFLUENCE

Over the past year, ASCP has taken opportunities to expand the laboratory’s influence and raise its profile, showcasing the extraordinary work our members perform every day. We’re committed to engaging the public, policymakers, and key stakeholders, providing the critical understanding needed to value the essential role of laboratory professionals.

Patients and pathology win on LDT oversight 

Officials declined to challenge the ruling that vacated FDA’s Final Rule seeking to regulate laboratory developed tests (LDTs). This marks a significant victory for patient care in a 40-year debate over LDT regulation that began when FDA first asserted jurisdiction in the early 1990s. 

ASCP, working with four other medical specialty societies, filed an amicus brief opposing FDA’s regulatory scheme, arguing it would create barriers to critical laboratory services and restrict patient access to vital testing. The ruling determined that Congress intended LDTs to be regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) framework managed by CMS, not through FDA’s Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act authority. CMS regulations from 2003 already established performance requirements for laboratories introducing in-house developed test systems, providing a foundation for analytical validity and other standards. ASCP will now work with advocacy partners to support CMS in its LDT oversight role. The Society views this outcome as essential for ensuring laboratories can continue meeting patient needs without facing the significant regulatory barriers that FDA oversight would have imposed.

ASCP wins in evidence-based cervical cancer screening and member advocacy 

In a significant victory for women’s health, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) maintained a “Grade A” designation for three evidence-based screening modalities (cervical cytology alone, primary HPV testing, and co-testing), ensuring continued access to preventive care. ASCP applauded the USPSTF for maintaining flexibility in screening methods while emphasizing the need for FDA-approved testing platforms. In collaboration with the Cytopathology Education and Training Consortium (CETC), ASCP also urged that self-collected and clinician-collected specimens are not treated as equivalent without stronger supporting evidence. While ASCP agrees that HPV self-collection may offer future benefits for some populations, the data is not yet strong enough to confirm substantial value. ASCP also cautions that promoting self-collection over clinician-collected specimens could potentially reduce access to preventive healthcare, particularly for underserved communities. Thousands of ASCP members agreed, engaging in advocacy through the ASCP Action Center, by submitting hundreds of comments to the USPSTF supporting the finalization of the recommendations. 

ASCP urges that cervical cancer screening recommendations remain grounded in evidence-based practice and reflect the realities of the laboratory and, most importantly, maintain high-quality patient care. 

Support of Tomorrow’s Workforce Act

ASCP formally endorsed the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722), introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative Robert J. Wittman (R-VA). This bipartisan legislation was enacted and allows individuals to use 529 education funds for credentialing programs, certification exams, study materials, and certain laboratory training. 

Because certification in laboratory medicine requires completion of an accredited clinical training program, this measure makes all accredited clinical training programs eligible for 529 funding. Currently, only programs affiliated with degree-granting academic institutions qualify. ASCP’s endorsement underscores its commitment to removing financial barriers for students and professionals pursuing careers in the medical laboratory and other credentialed health professions. The Society continues to work with advocacy partners to mitigate these effects and to ensure a sustainable pipeline of qualified laboratory professionals and physicians.

Internship Academy to help boost the laboratory workforce  

In 2025, ASCP launched its Internship Academy to increase young people’s awareness about clinical laboratory careers and help laboratory professionals develop STEM-based internship programs. The program provides comprehensive video teaching sessions covering topics from starting an internship program to securing hospital funding for such initiatives. The academy was inspired by an internship program that ASCP member John Baci, MBA, established at Boston Children’s Hospital in 2010, which originated from his frustration about limited career opportunities for high school students in his rural community. The program targets high school juniors and seniors, STEM program students, and college students, helping guide them toward laboratory professions through hands-on experiences and mentorship. 

New pathologist and medical laboratory scientist recruitment resources   

ASCP advanced a strategic effort to expand exposure to pathology through education, strengthen recruitment and retention, integrate innovation into practice, and use workforce data to inform long-term planning. To raise awareness and support recruitment, ASCP developed two new educational tools: An infographic detailing key workforce data and a four-page guide, What Does a Pathologist Do?, designed to introduce students to the profession. These resources equip ASCP members, ambassadors, and educators with materials to promote pathology to medical and premedical students. 

In addition to the pathologist resources, ASCP’s Workforce Steering Committee, in collaboration with the ASCP Board of Certification, launched “Where Can Medical Laboratory Science Take You?”, a dynamic new career resource highlighting the wide range of professional opportunities available to medical laboratory scientists across healthcare, research, industry, and academia. The tool complements ASCP’s existing Laboratory Career Roadmap and outreach materials, helping students and educators visualize the versatility and long-term value of laboratory careers. ASCP also showcased these resources at the 2025 American School Counselor Association Annual Conference, engaging hundreds of counselors and educators alongside COLA, ASM, and ASCP Ambassadors to inspire the next generation of laboratory professionals nationwide.

With retirements accelerating and rural shortages expected to leave some regions at only 20 percent of supply adequacy, the need for action is urgent. ASCP leaders emphasize that early exposure and visibility to pathology and laboratory medicine beginning in undergraduate or even high school education are key to attracting new talent. 

GLOBAL COMMUNITY

ASCP continues its global commitment to strengthening pathology and laboratory medicine, advancing access to high-quality diagnostic services for all patients. ASCP global initiatives reflect its enduring dedication to improving health outcomes and driving sustainable, patient-centered progress in laboratory medicine worldwide.

Global efforts to standardize patient care 

In 2025, ASCP joined more than 50 cancer organizations from 25 countries as a member of the Global Alliance for Cancer Patient Navigation, led by the American Cancer Society. This global initiative promotes sustainable, evidence-based cancer patient navigation across all resource settings. ASCP’s participation aligns directly with its patient-centered mission to improve care through accurate and timely laboratory diagnostics.

ASCP holds seats on both the Alliance’s Steering Committee and its Working Group for Patient Navigation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The Alliance seeks to make patient navigation—a system that helps patients overcome barriers throughout their cancer journey—a global standard of care. ASCP contributes more than two decades of international health experience, including work through PEPFAR and the Coalition for Implementation Research in Global Oncology (CIRGO). CIRGO-funded projects have improved cancer care coordination in Côte d’Ivoire, provided peer support in Malawi, and expanded the Project ECHO model across multiple countries. These efforts ensure that laboratory medicine and diagnostics are integral to the design of global patient navigation frameworks.

Together with Alliance partners, ASCP is helping shape a unified global approach to cancer care that emphasizes equity, access, and patient-centered outcomes.

Global Health Strategy and Partnerships Committee 

ASCP established the Global Health Strategy and Partnerships Committee under the Commission on Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTP) to strengthen alignment between ASCP’s global health initiatives and its mission to advance patient-centered care and health equity worldwide. The committee’s goals include expanding member engagement through volunteer opportunities, thought leadership, and professional development; guiding the creation of scalable, impactful projects that enhance diagnostic capacity and clinical outcomes; and fostering meaningful collaborative partnerships. Additionally, the committee will identify and pursue funding opportunities that support ASCP’s global mission. Chair and committee members have been confirmed, with the first official meeting scheduled for early 2026.

Telepathology network support

ASCP’s Center for Global Health (CGH) continued in 2025 to expand its leadership in digital pathology by leveraging investments in telepathology to pursue new research and collaboration opportunities. Working with nine laboratories in the ASCP Telepathology Network, CGH launched a Department of Defense–funded breast cancer research project in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Cancer Institute.

This initiative not only advances digital pathology research but also supports the expansion of the network to Sierra Leone, marking a significant milestone in ASCP’s global reach. In addition, CGH is collaborating with partners in Mozambique, Lesotho, and Cambodia to connect their laboratories—each equipped with their own scanners—to ASCP’s network of volunteer pathologists for expert telepathology consultations. These efforts exemplify ASCP’s commitment to harnessing innovation and partnerships to strengthen diagnostic capacity and improve patient care worldwide.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Creating a laboratory workforce that mirrors the diversity of the communities it serves is crucial for reducing health inequities and enhancing patient care. ASCP is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive workforce that authentically represents the populations we serve.

ASCP Diversity and Inclusion award

The ASCP Diversity and Inclusion award, established in 2024 by the ASCP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, recognizes members who have made significant contributions to promoting the ideals of diversity, inclusion, and equity within the pathology and laboratory medicine community. ASCP honored Carla Ellis, MD, MS, FASCP, as the 2025 recipient of this distinguished award.

Dr. Ellis is recognized for her outstanding leadership and advocacy in advancing equity within pathology and laboratory medicine. She is a founding member, past president, and current treasurer of the Society of Black Pathology (SBP), a professional organization dedicated to increasing the representation of Black and other underrepresented minorities in the field. As Vice Chair for Health Equity and Advocacy at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology, Dr. Ellis has established key committees and educational initiatives to promote dialogue on race, bias, and health equity. Through her scholarship and her sustained advocacy, Dr. Ellis continues to address systemic barriers and foster a more inclusive pathology workforce.

She serves as a professor of Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and as a renal and genitourinary pathologist at Northwestern Medicine, and medical director for the renal pathology service. As a dedicated educator, she directs the renal pathology rotation for residents and teaches in the nephrology module, demonstrating her commitment to training the next generation of pathologists.

ASCP FOUNDATION

The ASCP Foundation promotes distinction in laboratory medicine for the advantage of patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals globally. Operating as ASCP’s charitable division, the Foundation advances meaningful programs in pursuit of this objective.

Emergency relief initiatives

The ASCP Foundation launched two emergency relief campaigns to support ASCP members facing difficulty in the wake of natural disaster. The first campaign from January 2025 to February 2025 centered around the Los Angeles wildfires and communities affected. The second campaign from July 2025 to August 2025, centered around the flooding near Kerrville, Texas, over Fourth of July weekend. The Foundation donated all proceeds of the campaigns to community organizations and their rebuilding efforts.

ASCP Foundation provides grant funding for the laboratory community  

In 2025, the ASCP Foundation continued its commitment to advancing laboratory medicine through strategic grant investments totaling $35,000. The Foundation awarded $25,000 to Michele Smith, MS, SCT(ASCP), to support her presentation and proposal at the November American Society of Cytopathology Annual Meeting Cytology Shark Tank Session. Ms. Smith’s proposal, “Merging Silos: Creating a National Education Opportunity for Cytologist Programs, Pathology Residency Programs, Fellows, and Professionals,” was selected as the winner of three finalists competing for the grant. The ASCP Foundation provided matching funds of $25,000.

Additionally, the Foundation awarded $10,000 to the American Society of Clinical Oncology to support the development of a Global Cancer Fund. This initiative brings together multiple organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research and American Cancer Society, to advance cancer research and care on a global scale.

Through these grants, the ASCP Foundation demonstrates its ongoing dedication to creating educational opportunities, fostering professional development, and supporting collaborative efforts that ultimately benefit patients and laboratory professionals worldwide.

The ASCP Foundation was also the recipient of a $320,000 donation from the American Proficiency Institute (API) to support the Foundation’s mission of promoting excellence in laboratory medicine through educational programs, workforce initiatives, and raising global laboratory visibility. API, one of the world’s largest proficiency testing providers serving more than 20,000 laboratories, views this contribution as a commitment to ensuring the quality and availability of laboratory medicine both in the United States and internationally. This generous donation continues API’s two-decade partnership with ASCP and reflects the organization’s dedication to supporting the laboratory profession through educational opportunities and scholarships that ultimately benefit patient care and public health.

Leadership Forum 2025 service project

In April 2025 at the ASCP Leadership Forum, the ASCP Foundation partnered with the ASCP DEI Committee to facilitate a Children’s Book Drive, donating more than 100 new or gently used books to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Reservation. The in-kind donation directly supported the community’s daycare, pre-K childcare center, and early intervention reading program. 

ASCP Foundation at the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting

In November 2025 at the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting, the ASCP Foundation raised more than $12,000 in donations through a variety of events, including a raffle at the Foundation Lounge, the sale of a laboratory children’s book, authored and donated in-kind by Dr. Kamran Mirza, and the 3^rd Annual Petri Dash Run/Walk. In all events, 100% of proceeds went to the ASCP Foundation. In addition, the ASCP Foundation sponsored the ASCP President’s Dinner, and the 40 Under Forty Ten Year Anniversary Celebration.

Dr. Philip and Sandra Barney Resident Volunteer Service Award

Awarded in November 2025, the recipient of the Dr. Philip and Sandra Barney Resident Volunteer Service Award is Dr. Sri Bharathi Kavuri. Dr. Kavuri has contributed excellently to the ASCP Resident Council over the past two years, and will serve as the 2025-2026 Resident Council Chair.

ASCP Scholarship Program

The 2025 ASCP Scholarship program awarded 119 recipients across six different scholarships and grants, totaling in just over $165,000 distributed. These scholarships include the Laboratory Student Scholarship, the Leadership Institute Scholarship, the Garza Becan-McBride Phlebotomy Student Scholarship, the Program Director Educational Grant, the Resident Subspecialty Grant, and the Dr. Alvin Ring Empowerment Scholarship for Laboratory Students. 

The 2025 Ring Scholarships were made possible in part by Cooperative Agreement NU47OE000107 from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Laboratory Systems in its final year of activity. 

COLLABORATION

Building a framework for advancing pathology and laboratory medicine while strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality patient care requires strategic collaboration. In 2025, ASCP leveraged critical partnerships to expand the laboratory’s visibility and capacity for providing exceptional patient care.

ASCP continues its partnership with MyPathologyReport.com

ASCP continued its partnership with MyPathologyReport.com, a trusted online resource that helps patients understand their diagnostic pathology reports and medical terminology. The platform, created by Dr. Jason Wasserman of The Ottawa Hospital, provides clear explanations of complex pathology terms, a searchable dictionary, and an Ask a Pathologist feature to connect patients with expert insights. 

Together, ASCP and MyPathologyReport are bridging gaps in health literacy by offering complementary educational tools covering both anatomic pathology and clinical laboratory results. Since its launch in 2018, MyPathologyReport has grown from 100 daily visitors to more than 30,000 visitors per day, underscoring its value as a trusted patient resource. Future plans include expanding the site to feature a comprehensive cancer biomarker library to help patients better understand genetic testing and targeted therapies. With ASCP’s support, MyPathologyReport is developing an AI Chat Bot that will allow patients to have real time, plain language conversations about their pathology reports and lab tests. This collaboration reinforces ASCP’s mission to enhance patient-centered care and promote shared decision-making through access to reliable, understandable diagnostic information. 

CDC OneLab™ engagement and workforce development initiatives

2025 saw ASCP’s continued leadership in national laboratory workforce development through the CDC OneLab™ initiative, which unites medical and public health laboratory professionals in a shared community of practice. Funded by a three-year cooperative agreement with the CDC, ASCP used this opportunity to design innovative, engaging, and accessible educational resources that strengthen laboratory preparedness, skill development, and professional connection. Among the highlights was the Lo-Fi Laboratory Engagement Guide, a creative, low-cost toolkit that helps laboratory professionals “take the lab out of the laboratory” to spark career interest among high school and college students through portable, hands-on outreach activities. ASCP also introduced the Lab Escape board game, an interactive activity that builds and refines skills on how individual personnel strengths and skill sets meaningfully contribute to overcoming real-work lab challenges.

To address career growth and mobility, ASCP developed a job aid focused on differentiating career lattices, as opposed to career ladders, including visual frameworks that help laboratory professionals map diverse career pathways and identify advancement opportunities. The Basic Medical Laboratory Skills eLearning series, a collection of six interactive courses, has empowered thousands of new laboratory hires and career changers to build foundational skills in safety, terminology, and quality control. Designed by ASCP member volunteers, this series has quickly become one of ASCP’s most popular resources, with strong adoption by laboratory educators and workforce training programs.

ASCP’s Building Bridges webinar series has also emerged as a cornerstone of community engagement, connecting more than 1,300 participants from 49 countries in 2025 alone. These webinars fostered dialogue on global workforce challenges, laboratory career opportunities, and innovations in public health testing. Together, these initiatives have demonstrated the power of collaboration, creativity, and accessibility in strengthening the laboratory profession. ASCP continues to expand educational access, inspire the next generation of laboratory professionals, and build lasting bridges across the global laboratory community.

Workforce campaign to raise visibility of the lab 

ASCP and the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition collaborated to execute a nationwide multichannel awareness campaign targeting Career and Technical Education program directors and educators about medical laboratory careers. The initiative utilized email outreach, social media platforms, and national educator publications to highlight rewarding, in-demand opportunities within laboratory medicine. Campaign messaging focused on reaching high school students, early college students, teachers, and school counselors to illuminate career pathways in medical and public health laboratories. Built around the central theme “Save Lives with Science,” the campaign supported ASCP’s larger initiative to tackle critical laboratory workforce shortages and create opportunities for the next generation of professionals.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Download the Audited Financial Statements for 2025 (PDF).