The AAPA held its State of the Association & Financial Report on January 9, 2022, live via GoToWebinar. The content and format of the presentation were similar to the AAPA Business Meeting that was traditionally held at our Fall Conference, providing a financial report, giving members insight into the activities of the association, and allowing an opportunity for members to ask committee chairs and board members questions.
The meeting was moderated by Education Vice Chair Emily Loter, PA(ASCP)CM, and featured a panel of members from the Board of Trustees (BOT) and each of our committees. The BOT presenters included: Beth Obertino-Norwood, PA(ASCP)CM, BOT Chair; Jennifer Perez, PA(ASCP)CM, Vice Chair/Secretary; and John Eckman, PA(ASCP)CM, 2021 Chief Financial Officer. Committee panelists included: Chevanne Scordinsky, PA(ASCP)CM, Administration Committee Chair; Meghan Pickard, PA(ASCP)CM, Education Committee Chair; Cory Nash, PA(ASCP) CM, MarComm Committee Chair; Lindsay Tobias, PA(ASCP)CM, 2021 Membership Committee Chair; and Connie Thorpe, PA(ASCP)CM, Director of Professional Development.
Beth started things off by addressing how important it is that the direction of the organization is reflective of the ideas and goals of our entire membership. She also acknowledged that we are in the second year of a pandemic and thanked our volunteers and members for their support and patience as we’ve had to pivot and adapt to our current situation. Jennifer highlighted the 2021 award winners – Rising Star, BOT Award, and Lifetime Achievement. John provided a financial overview of the year with an overarching message that we are financially strong and healthy in lieu of the pandemic.
Connie detailed progress on the 3rd edition of the Grossing Guidelines, which will begin releasing this year. This new version will include significant modifications and improvements including structured data elements utilizing the CAP Cancer Case Summary macroscopic elements, recommended block allocation key, specimen handling/dissection guidelines, and educational information including incidence, epidemiology, morbidity and mortality, clinical presentation, imaging considerations, pertinent anatomy, macroscopic features of tumor, treatment and therapy guidelines, prognosis and prognostic features, and metastatic sites, along with the inclusion of photographs. Connie also gave an update on the Forensic Task Force to include exhibiting our new booth and presenting at the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) meeting where pathologists’ assistants were reportedly the hot topic of the conference.
Chevanne highlighted the activities of the Administration Committee. The Legislative Subcommittee’s areas of focus include (1) advocacy among established committees and organizations, (2) crafting a legislative path which includes research of other groups, and (3) building a network of contacts to disseminate and collect information. Meghan took us through the Education Committee to include both the meeting and non-meeting branches, and how the members of this super committee have stepped up in a big way to respond to the needs of our members by providing a wide array of high quality, PA-specific education. New initiatives include holding mini volunteer events to introduce those interested to a subcommittee, offering recent safety webinars, preparing for release of the Preceptor Program expected this summer, and developing a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) CE series.
Cory reviewed the accomplishments of the MarComm Committee and all of its subcommittees to include the It Pays to Know campaign, the revamp of our Digital Communications Subcommittee, and the release of our new Career Center, which replaces the Job Hotline. Goals for the coming year include exploration of a possible title change, website revamp, and various Advocacy Subcommittee related items. Lindsay shared the work of the Membership Committee to include the outsourced Membership & Salary Survey, the new International Membership category, and several recruitment and retention initiatives.