2026 AAPA X-ray Image Contest Submission Details
Sponsored By:
Eligibility
- Must be a current Fellow, Associate, or Student member of the AAPA.
- Images submitted for prior AAPA competitions are not eligible.
- The image must be the original work of the submitting member. Limited use of Photoshop or other editing software allowed for de-identification purposes for the contest.
- Maximum of three submissions per person.
- All clinical specimens are allowed.
Judging Criteria
- X-ray image
- Must be taken with a specimen imaging system/specimen radiography cabinet
- X-ray images blended with optical images may be given extra consideration
- Alignment
- Specimen is nicely centered in the frame with good use of space
- Composition
- Image is simple and uncluttered with all elements enhancing the specimen
- Focus
- Sharp focus of the specimen
- Background
- Crisp and flat: no clutter, amputations, debris/blood, reflections, visible folds, or staining
- Image quality
- A good X-ray image exhibits key qualities: clarity and sharpness, contrast, resolution, positioning, and alignment
- Easy visualization of anatomical structures and any abnormalities between different tissues and structures of the specimen
- Required elements
- Photo is de-identified (photos with visible case ID numbers will not be accepted)
- Specimen type given
- Pathologic dx/differential provided
Prize
- There will only be one first-place winner and two runners-up.
- The winner will have their 2027 AAPA membership dues covered and two runners-up will receive a 50% discount on their 2027 AAPA membership dues, or the equivalent in AAPA Bucks.
- Prizes are sponsored by KUBTEC Medical Imaging.
How to Submit a Photo
- Submit your photo file using the form below. Image files only, minimum resolution 2000 px x 2000 px. Accepted formats: JPEG, TIFF, DICOM (if submitting a DICOM file, please submit the image via email to [email protected], as it cannot be uploaded through the webform)
- The entry form MUST include:
- Full name
- Specimen type
- Final pathologic diagnosis/what the differential is
- If you are unable to submit your photo through the website, please email it to: [email protected] (Subject: 2026 AAPA X-ray Image Contest Submission)
Submission Fine Print
Rights and Use
You (submitting member) will retain your rights to your photograph(s); however, by entering the AAPA X-ray Image Contest, you grant the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA), and those authorized by the AAPA, a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion of the organization and its website, social media, and print materials, including but not limited to AAPA publications. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. The AAPA will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses; however, the AAPA reserves the right to contact the submitting member as a courtesy prior to any such use. As the contest sponsor, KUBTEC may reach out to get permission from the winner and/or runners-up to promote them along with their winning image(s).
Judging and Winner Selection
All image submissions meeting the criteria outlined above will be reviewed and judged by KUBTEC and a representative from the AAPA Marketing/Communications Committee for announcement of winners at the upcoming AAPA Annual Conference.
Note: If you do not have the final diagnosis at the time of submission, email it to [email protected] once known.