Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, MD
President, Florida Society of Pathologists
It is an honor and a privilege to step into the role of President of the Florida Society of Pathologists. As I look forward to serving you in the next two years ahead, I want to begin by celebrating the accomplishments we’ve already achieved together and share my vision for where we are headed.
Celebrating the Success of the 2025 Annual Pathology Conference
This past February, the Florida Society of Pathologists welcomed over 325 dedicated pathologists to the 2025 Annual Pathology Conference at the iconic Disney’s Grand Floridian in Orlando. What an unforgettable weekend! With the incredible support of more than 50 sponsors, we came together to share knowledge, spark new ideas, and celebrate our shared passion for pathology. From thought-provoking and practical scientific presentations to meaningful conversations and new connections, the energy throughout the weekend was undeniable.
Welcoming Our New Board of Directors
During the business meeting on Saturday at the FSP Annual Pathology Conference, I proudly welcomed our new Board of Directors who will serve alongside me as for a 2-year. These dedicated leaders bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to our society, and I look forward to working alongside them as we continue to grow and innovate. You can learn more about our board of directors here.
FSP Members Advocate at the CAP Hill Day
In April, I was thrilled to represent our state at the CAP Leadership Summit and Hill Day in Washington, D.C. alongside 9 other FSP members. Thanks to the FSP Advocacy Stipend Program, we awarded $1,000 stipends to each of these members to support their travel and advocacy efforts. Their engagement and voices on Capitol Hill are instrumental in strengthening the future of pathology and amplifying issues that matter to our profession and our patients. You can read the full summary of our visit and view our pictures from the meeting in the later section of this newsletter.
Looking Ahead: Priorities for My Presidency
As I begin my term, I am focused on two key areas that will define our strategic efforts:
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President. I look forward to collaborating with each of you to advance our specialty and ensure that the Florida Society of Pathologists continues to be a vibrant, forward-thinking, and inclusive organization.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the FSP Summer conference on July 11-13 at the JW Mariott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa in Aventura, Florida. Those of you who attended the very successful FSP convention in Orlando in February know how invaluable the time is for you to get to know your FSP colleagues and at the same time hear from some of the top medical experts in the field of pathology in the country.
If you attended the winter meeting, you were informed of the threat of legislation preferred by another physician specialty, which initially would have adversely affected the financial viability of many of our pathology practices. This has been a battle we have fought for decades against the insurance industry, but never against another professional medical Society. Furthermore, this legislation would have potentially dictated pathology billing practices, procedures, codes and/or fee amounts. Your FSP leadership team, CAP leadership, and advocacy staff spent many hours in virtual meetings with the Florida Academy of Dermatology (FAD) without satisfaction that we could resolve our differences.
Thankfully, through our work with the Florida Legislature and continued negotiations with the lobbyists representing dermatology, we are grateful to share that our negotiations with the FAD were successful, and we were able to kill any attempts to change the statutes in Florida regarding our reimbursement and business arrangements.
However, as I author this update, we are still in an extended Session that may last through June. Hopefully, most of the substantive bills were handled throughout the Regular 60-day Session, and the Legislature is expected to focus on budget negotiations.
I want to thank our incredibly active FSP Executive Committee as well as each of you for your support, which is essential in protecting and advancing the interests of pathologists in Florida.
I have also attached an updated chart including final actions on bills we followed and amended throughout the Regular Session. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing everyone in July at the Turnberry Resort
To view bills of interest this Session, scroll to the end of this page.
Ronald Giffler, MD, JD
PAC Chair
The Florida Society of Pathologists is proud to include its Political Action Committee (FSP Pathology PAC) as one of its most prominent member services. The mission of the PAC is to identify and support candidates for public office who understand and value the needs of Florida’s physicians and patients, most particularly our physicians who are practicing Pathologists.
The past few years have witnessed increased activity of our PAC with productive collaboration with other specialty societies and, most notably, the Florida Medical Association PAC. Critical in this effort has been our professional lobbying team headed by Amy Young.
The FSP-PAC has had a notable success this season with our direct endorsement and support for the special election in Florida House District 32 in Brevard County. Our endorsed candidate, Brian Hodgers, defeated two other candidates in a tough three-way primary race in April. Our support included a fundraiser at Dr. Giffler’s home which was very successful. One of his two opponents was supporting positions having a significantly negative impact on the practice of pathology. Brian then went on to win the general election in June. Brian Hodgers is in the insurance and real estate business in the Melbourne area and is very active in community affairs. We look forward to having a friend in Tallahassee for many years to come.
In summary we have a very successful year with $103,176.95 in the checking account and 36 donors who have supported us so far in 2025. But more is needed. Donating to the PAC is only part of the effort. We need to also support fundraising efforts for individual candidates, join host committees, and open our homes for these continuing efforts.
The FSP-PAC would like to thank the following donors for their support:
Donate Online Now to the FSP - Pathology PAC!
Cigna and Requests to Renegotiate Provider Agreements
Over the last several months, Cigna has identified and reached out to Florida hospital-based pathology groups with long-standing provider agreements. Under the guise of, “review[ing] network providers” to ensure delivery of “quality and affordable healthcare,” Cigna is seeking to save money by forcing the renegotiation of older contract terms and reimbursement rates. In all instances, the reimbursement being offered by Cigna would result in a material reduction for both AP and CP services. On CP specifically, Cigna is aggressively pushing groups to accept a fixed rate of $5.00 per test.
In negotiating new reimbursement rates with Cigna (or any other commercial payor), it is important to understand and recognize that there is not a single uniform rate or rate schedule that Cigna will ultimately agree to with each and every group. Just like there likely is a large disparity in the reimbursement your group gets from the various commercial payors with which it is contracted, Cigna will ultimately be paying different rates to different groups. Prior contract rates, geographic location, hospital administration politics, market share, and a host of other individual factors likely will affect a group’s ability to negotiate new rates.
If your group is now renegotiating with Cigna or otherwise contacted to do so, it should carefully model with its billing department or billing consultants how Cigna’s proposed reductions in both AP and CP reimbursement will affect the group’s overall current and future adjudications. Coupled with same, counsel experienced in working with commercial payors should be retained to assist in the negotiations. Only through such a cautious, diligent, and prudent effort can your group ensure it will arrive (or perhaps not) at a fair and appropriate contract-- one that adequately reimburses your group and its employed physicians for all medically necessary and valuable AP and CP professional services rendered.
This publication/newsletter is for informational purposes and does not contain or convey legal advice. The information herein should not be used or relied upon in regard to any particular facts or circumstances without first consulting a lawyer. Any views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the law firms’ clients
Exciting Updates from the FSP Membership Committee
2025 is shaping up to be another outstanding year for the Florida Society of Pathologists (FSP)! Our membership continues to grow, and we’re focused on building even more momentum in the months ahead.
It is an honor to serve as Chair of the Membership Committee, and I am truly grateful for the dedication and engagement of our committee members. We recently welcomed several new members to the committee, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.
Dues Season Is Underway
Our annual dues cycle officially began on May 1. Thank you to everyone who has already renewed! If you haven’t done so yet please take a moment to renew your membership and stay connected to the FSP community.
This season also marks a time of transition for our resident and fellow members as they move into new programs. We are actively updating our records to reflect these changes.
We Want to Hear from You!
Have you completed the recent FSP Membership Survey? If not, we’d love your input! Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping our efforts and ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our members.
Also, make sure you’re able to log in to the FSP website. If you need assistance with your username or password, please contact Shana Harvey at membership@flpath.org for support!
FSP Member Spotlight – Get Featured!
We love celebrating with the exceptional members of our society! If you’d like to be featured in an upcoming FSP Member Spotlight, please reach out to Shana Harvey at membership@flpath.org. We’d be delighted to highlight your contributions and story.
Join us at the FSP 2025 Summer Pathology Conference taking place on July 11-13, 2025, at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Miami, FL. The FSP 2025 Summer Pathology Conference will provide education surrounding a wide range of topics. The conference will provide practical updates and clinical pearls and pitfalls in the following topics:
We are excited to have the following faculty members join us for this conference who specialize in the above topics:
Daniel A. Arber, MD
Professor and Chair of Pathology
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Jerad M. Gardner, MD
Dermatopathologist & Section Head of Bone/Soft Tissue Pathology
Geisinger Medical Center
Danville, PA
Anais Malpica, MD
Professor, Anatomical Pathology
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Houston, TX
We will also have a Prevention of Medical Errors course on Friday given by
Patti L. Ellis, RN, BSN, CPHRM, FASHRM
Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, Region III
Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company
Jacksonville, FL
This two-and-a-half-day agenda is jam packed with recent scientific findings, opportunities to learn new strategies and tools to aid in the diagnosis and analysis of disease. We hope to see you there! To register for the summer meeting, please visit the website here.
Under the leadership of Dr. Marilyn Bui (Immediate Past President), the Florida Society of Pathology (FSP) proudly launched the Precision Medicine Academy (PMA) in November 2024, a transformative educational initiative designed to equip pathologists with the knowledge and skills essential for precision oncology. With cancer care rapidly evolving toward more personalized approaches, this program positions Florida pathologists at the forefront of integrating molecular and genomic insights into daily practice, highlighting the updates of biomarkers, and introducing digital pathology and augmented intelligence into precision pathology. Support for this accredited CME program was made possible through educational grants from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The PMA features a robust series of CME-accredited webinars, offering up to 6 CME credits, and led by distinguished faculty from Moffitt Cancer Center, the University of Florida, and the University of Miami. Each session focuses on a critical aspect of precision medicine. Key topics include the role of precision medicine in enhancing cancer diagnostics, the identification and application of molecular and genomic biomarkers, and the integration of hereditary and somatic mutation testing into pathology workflows. Webinars cover molecular testing in solid tumors and hematopathology, equipping participants to accurately interpret and report biomarker results that directly impact treatment decisions and prognosis. Recognizing the pivotal role of communication in multidisciplinary care, the PMA also provides guidance on effectively discussing complex molecular results with oncology teams and fostering collaborative decision-making. The final session explores how digital pathology and artificial intelligence are reshaping diagnostics, offering insights into emerging technologies that promise to streamline workflows and enhance diagnostic precision.
Another significance of PMA is its role in inspiring FSP to launch a new online learning center that hosts both live and archived/CME webinars: https://learning.flpath.org/. This platform now serves as the central hub for all FSP online learning, representing a significant improvement for the society.
The second phase of the PMA is currently under development, aimed at offering additional interactive and dynamic programs to enhance the content and promote connection and collaboration among our members. Precision oncology continues to redefine the standards of cancer care. By taking the leadership in precision pathology, pathologists will strengthen their role as key contributors to personalized cancer treatment strategies, ensuring that patients benefit from the latest scientific advances.
Visit the FSP Learning Center to view the recorded CME webinars: https://learning.flpath.org/
As the newly appointed Resident Liaison for the Florida Society of Pathologists (FSP), I am excited to introduce myself and share my vision for the coming year. I am currently a third-year pathology resident at the University of Miami and will be pursuing fellowships in hematopathology and molecular pathology. My journey in pathology has been shaped by the invaluable mentorship and collegiality found within our community, and I am eager to help foster these connections for others.
This past February, the 51st FSP Annual Pathology Conference in Orlando proved to be a vibrant and productive gathering for our residents, fellows and medical students. The meeting offered a wonderful opportunity for trainees to connect, learn, and engage in a variety of activities, including some healthy competition! Highlights included a dynamic poster session, the rare and interesting case competition, the ever-popular FSP Resident Jeopardy, and the introduction of a new Resident/Fellow Networking Event. These sessions not only promoted academic growth but also strengthened the bonds within our pathology trainee community.
A special note of gratitude goes to FSP for providing stipends that enabled residents-including several delegates from three different Florida residency programs-to attend the CAP Pathology Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. This support has been instrumental in broadening our perspectives and ensuring that Florida’s pathology trainees are well represented on the national stage. We hope to see even more programs participate in the future.
Looking ahead, my primary goals as Resident Liaison are to connect pathology trainees throughout Florida and to engage medical students who are interested in our specialty. I am committed to building on our current initiatives by increasing the visibility of pathology through an enhanced social media presence, deeper community engagement, and strong advocacy for our field. By strengthening the role of resident delegates, I believe we can inspire more medical students to discover the many rewards and opportunities that a career in pathology offers.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming FSP Summer Meeting, which promises an excellent lineup of topics, dynamic speakers, and valuable opportunities for learning and connection. I hope to see you there!
We are proud to announce that nine members of the FSP participated in the 2025 CAP Leadership Summit and Hill Day, held in Washington, DC from April 26–29.
This marks the second consecutive year that FSP has awarded advocacy stipends to help support our members’ involvement in this important initiative. Designed to foster leadership and amplify the voice of pathology at the national level, the stipend program continues to generate strong interest and enthusiastic participation.
This year’s stipend recipients were:
We invite you to read testimonials and see photos from the even below:
Our South Florida group included 5 residents (4 from the University of Miami and 1 from Mount Sinai Medical Center) as well as Dr. Ronald Giffler, the current President-Elect for the Florida Society of Pathologists. We all attended a Leadership conference on Saturday, April 26. Sunday was the meeting for the House of Delegates where we enjoyed panel sessions on AI in Pathology and Scope of Practice Under Pressure, followed by an afternoon with CAP roundtable discussions, a town hall with CAP leadership presentation, and talks on CAP State Pathology Societies initiatives and updates from the CAP Foundation. Our group was able to meet with the current and future leaders of the CAP. Monday was the day to learn about the issues that we would be presenting to our State Representatives on Capitol Hill. We discussed Medicare Payment Reform. The Adverse Impacts of Insurance Interference on Patient Care, Today’s Workforce Trends in Pathology, Hill Day logistics, and carefully went over the CAP’s Hill Day asks. Tuesday was our “Day on the Hill”. Our group was able to meet with members of our state’s House of Representatives and Senate. It was very informative and very rewarding for us all.
- Carmen Gomez Fernandez, MD
Attending the 2025 CAP Pathologists Leadership Summit was a valuable experience as a resident of the University of Miami. The leadership and strategy sessions, along with the panels on artificial intelligence, helped me better understand where our profession is heading and how we can have a role in shaping that future. The AI discussions, in particular, gave me a clearer view of how our roles may change and what skills we’ll need to stay relevant. It was also a reminder that we can't afford to stay siloed—we need to stay connected and informed. Participating in Hill Day was a great opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers and see how policy decisions affect our work. This experience made me feel more connected to the profession and more motivated to keep showing up.
– Diego Colunge, MD
As a pathology resident sponsored by the Florida Society of Pathologists, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and participate in advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. This experience allowed me to gain firsthand insight into the legislative process and the key issues currently impacting our specialty. Through meetings, briefings, and interactive sessions, I learned valuable tools to effectively advocate for pathology and was able to put that knowledge into action by engaging with lawmakers and their staff. It was both empowering and inspiring to represent our field and contribute to the advancement of policies that support patients and the practice of pathology.
- Felipe Ruiz, MD
I am deeply appreciative of the Florida Society of Pathologists (FSP) for providing me with the invaluable opportunity to engage firsthand in advocating for our profession. From the outset, the Pathologists Leadership Summit equipped attendees with comprehensive leadership workshops, current practice updates from national colleagues, effective communication strategies, and exceptional networking opportunities. The visit to Capitol Hill was particularly inspiring. It was profoundly moving to witness pathologists—from residents to seasoned experts—unite with a singular sense of enthusiasm and purpose. This collective spirit underscored our shared commitment to advancing the field of pathology and therefore enhancing patient care. Such experiences reinforce the vital role we play in shaping the future of healthcare. I am motivated by the prospect of continuing this journey of advocacy, confident that our collective efforts will lead to meaningful change and progress.
- Francesca Polit, MD
I recently had the privilege of participating in a Capitol Hill visit in Washington, DC. This experience underscored the vital role pathologists play not only in patient care but also in shaping health policy that impacts our profession and the broader medical community.
Participating as a member of the House of Delegates and having the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill was both an honor and a transformative experience. As a delegate, I felt the weight of responsibility in representing my peers and advocating for the issues that matter most to our communities.
We had also a good opportunity to meet up with the candidates for the CAP leadership and to get to know more about them. The end of the agenda was instructed on how to advocate and engage with legislators. We had detailed preparation and practiced distribution of our mission to each proposed legislator whom we met the next day at the Hill. The networking sessions gave me a good opportunity to meet up with new faces from all over the country, and to see how they are planning to advocate.
- Mohammed Shafeay, MD
Attending the 2025 Pathologists Leadership Summit was an incredibly rewarding and engaging experience. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this event, which allows us to build on our previous experiences and further deepen our understanding of the profession, as well as the importance of advocating for our patients and our field.
This year’s in-person event offered an outstanding opportunity to connect more closely with fellow trainees. It was especially exciting to see an even larger group of Florida trainees in attendance, made possible largely by the generous support of FSP. The increased presence of trainees made the discussions more dynamic and meaningful, enriching the overall experience for everyone involved. Throughout the summit, we gained valuable insights into various aspects of pathology, further strengthening our appreciation for the critical role we play in patient care. A particular highlight was our visit to Capitol Hill, where we passionately advocated for the interests of our profession and the well-being of our patients. We are hopeful that our efforts will inspire meaningful action from policymakers.
Overall, this summit was a powerful and transformative experience that has left us feeling motivated, empowered, and proud to be part of such a vital profession.
- Katherine Drews-Elger, MD, PhD
I am grateful to FSP for the opportunity provided to my co-residents and myself to attend our nation's capital to advocate for our profession and for patient care. Visiting Capitol Hill and meeting with the legislative assistants of Florida’s senators (Senators Moody and Scott) and representatives (Congresswoman Wilson and Congressman Diaz-Balart) was an incredibly meaningful experience. As part of our delegation, I had the opportunity to advocate for Medicare reform, as well as the Conrad 30 program, the REDI Act, and the SPARC Act. These initiatives are essential to addressing physician shortages, reducing the burden of student debt, and expanding access to care in underserved and rural areas. The legislative staff were attentive, engaged, and receptive to our message. This experience reinforced the impact of grassroots advocacy and the importance of speaking directly with policymakers about the urgent needs facing our healthcare system. I am looking forward to returning the following year!
– Virginia Fernandez, MD
Many thanks to the Florida Society of Pathologists (FSP) for supporting my participation in CAP Hill Day 2025. While in Washington, D.C., I also attended the House of Delegates meeting, where we heard from key members of the CAP Board of Governors and were introduced to the major issues we would be addressing on the Hill. Key topics included Medicare Physician Payment Reform, the Conrad 30 program, and other policy matters affecting our profession. We were well prepared to define our roles and coordinate who would present specific topics to senators, representatives, or their staff.
Participating in CAP Hill Day was a valuable opportunity to understand how policy decisions shape our field, engage directly with lawmakers, share our perspectives, and advocate for the future of pathology.
– Yu Yang, MD
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