FSP 47th (2021) Annual Pathology Conference Highlights

The FSP hosted its first-ever virtual conference on February 12 to February 14 and welcomed over 410 participants from across the world to the conference. Pathologists from over 45 countries and 170 major cities tuned into the FSP virtual platform to hear from expert faculty during live question and answer sessions, microscopy sessions and a live roundtable discussion on COVID-19 testing and treatment.

The FSP was privileged to have renowned national speakers including Henry Appelman, MD, Edi Brogi, MD, Jonathan Epstein, MD, Bobbi Pritt, MD, and several of Florida’s own expert pathologists including David Andrews, MD, Jennifer Hunt, MD, Richard Gammon, MD and Elizabeth Ann Montgomery, MD. Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville also hosted a special mini symposium with presentations from Drs. Mark Edgar, Mark Jentoft, Jason Lewis, as well as the Mayo Clinic Chair, Aziza Nassar, MD.

On Friday and Saturday, attendees had the opportunity to attend live poster presentations given by the 30+ resident and fellow authors from around the state as they competed for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in the FSP Poster Competition. FSP Poster Committee Chair, Dr. Stephen Vernon awarded the top three presenters on Sunday during the FSP Business Meeting.

First Place:

Intrarenal Ectopic Adrenal Cortical Adenoma Mimicking Renal Cell Carcinoma
Author: Tracy Shachner, DO
Mayo Clinic

Second Place:

Benign Intrarenal Adrenocortical Adenoma Mimicking Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: When a Clear Tumor Is Not Clear!
Author: Nada Al Qaysi, MD
University of Florida

Third Place:

Cytologic Features of HPV Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basaloid Type; Case Report
Author: Charles Schultz, MD
University of Florida

The FSP welcomed Patrick Godbey, MD, FCAP on Sunday, February 14 for a live session on a CAP Update on Advancing Pathology Through Advocacy and Laboratory Member Programs. FSP attendees enjoyed hearing the latest information on how CAP is supporting pathologists through advocacy initiatives and supporting the state societies like the FSP.

The FSP hosted its annual business meeting on Sunday where FSP President Morton Levitt, MD, MHA, FCAP was awarded with an appreciation award for his two years as FSP President. Dr. Levitt was honored for his tireless contributions to the FSP most especially for his efforts in the summer of 2020 when the FSP, under Dr. Levitt's leadership, leapt into action to petition AHCA to reinstate the professional component reimbursement on behalf of the society’s members and all Florida pathologists.. The FSP Board and staff honored Dr. Levitt with a special tribute video that was shown during the business meeting. Dr. Levitt then officially turned over the President’s gavel to President Elect Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD, FCAP, who officially assumed the position as the next FSP President during the business meeting.  Read the FSP press release here to learn more about Dr. Zhai’s goals for his presidency.

Dr. Levitt honored two retiring board members, Stephen Vernon, MD, FCAP and Janice McCall, MD, FACP with the President’s Service Award for their tremendous contributions to the society. Both Dr. Vernon and Dr. McCall gave an acceptance speech and were honored by their colleagues during a special tribute video. You can view the tribute videos here: Dr. McCall's Tribute Video and Dr. Vernon's Tribute Video

During the business meeting, the FSP membership also approved the FSP Executive Officers for the 2021-2023 term including President-Elect Marilyn Bui, MD, PhD, Vice President Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, MD, Treasurer Vatsal Patel, MD and Secretary Oleksandr Kryvenko, MD. The membership also approved several new at large board members for the 2021-2023 term including Diane Davey, MD, Jesse Kresak, MD, Stephen Nelson, MD, and Philip Robinson, MD. To view the entire list of the FSP Board of Directors that were nominated and approved by the membership during the business meeting, please visit the FSP leadership page on the website.

The FSP’s virtual conference would not have been possible without the support of the FSP’s industry partners. We are eternally grateful to them for supporting this virtual edition of the conference and hope that our members and followers will recognize how important their contributions are. To view the meeting sponsors visit the FSP website here.