The College of American Pathologists Foundation (CAP Foundation) has had a history of grant support for humanitarian teaching and research projects in pathology and patient care in resource-limited settings during the last decade. Beginning in 2020 with the establishment of the Global Pathology Fund, the Global Pathology Committee (GPC) was organized and charged with identifying impactful and sustainable international pathology/pathologist-centric programs with a specific focus on supporting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Committee activities have concentrated on training, education, diagnostics, and leadership affecting patient care, quality, and research. All activities are intended to advance the specialty of pathology internationally, supporting global health initiatives. The GPC used a strategy development methodology to chart its course (Figure). The 4 phases of the CAP Foundation Strategy Development Methodology used by the GPC in determining the focus of the committee’s initiatives include (1) Vision Development—to define and gain consensus on the Global Pathology Fund objectives, goals, and aspirations (vision); address high-level strategic questions and define initial assumptions/hypotheses; (2) Internal and External Assessment—to develop an understanding of the current-state strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats including international pathology programs run by other organizations and CAP member interest; (3) Strategy Development—to identify needs, develop strategy and business model alternatives, define necessary capabilities, and prioritize initiatives at a high level. Focus on where we will invest, how we will be successful, and necessary capabilities; and (4) Implications Planning—to determine and address implications of the strategy (eg, financial, organizational, process); detail prioritized initiatives and clarify execution roadmaps.
Four phases of the College of American Pathologists Foundation Strategy Development Methodology used by the Global Pathology Committee in determining the focus of the committee’s initiatives.
Four phases of the College of American Pathologists Foundation Strategy Development Methodology used by the Global Pathology Committee in determining the focus of the committee’s initiatives.
Working through the global pathology strategy, the GPC identified several components to consider for developing projects to benefit global pathology/pathologists. Information gathering was conducted via surveys of CAP membership, outreach to other pathology organizations, and member experiences with humanitarian work.
A survey of CAP House of Delegate members identified a strong interest in learning more about/participating in global pathology initiatives, reflecting a high level of motivation and dedication. While enthusiastic, survey respondents also identified barriers specific to involvement, including being unaware of how to get involved, available opportunities, lack of funding, employer support, and concern for personal safety.
Feedback from invited discussions of other global pathology organizations informed the GPC that quality initiatives are of great interest to those practicing in underresourced countries outside of the United States. It was important to note that LMICs may have infrastructure limitations; however, all typically have internet access.
Input from practicing international pathologists indicated that they value the following CAP offerings: Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, cancer protocols, CAP Today, and access to education. Global pathologists also noted that being affiliated with an organization such as the CAP brings them recognition, honor, and knowledge/access to learning resources.
Using the information gathered from both internal and external sources, the GPC identified 3 categories of initiatives in shaping the focus and strategy, including training, education, and diagnostics (Table).
THE GLOBAL PATHOLOGY EDUCATION AWARD
The opportunity to offer a virtual training initiative in 2020 was prompted by COVID-19 and the great response from international pathologists and trainees to the CAP’s offering of free online education. Knowing that education is highly desired by international pathologists and pathology trainees, and that cost was an identified barrier, coupled with the pivoting of the CAP annual meeting to a virtual format, the idea to support international pathologists by offering free access to the CAP annual meeting education, along with the opportunity to apply for 1 year of complimentary CAP International Fellow Membership, was born.
This new award offering, the CAP Foundation Global Pathology Education Award, achieved a pilot launch in the third quarter of 2020, bestowing awards to 3 practicing global pathologists in Egypt, Nepal, and Vietnam. Since then, this award continues to grow with 27 applications for 10 awards in 2021, 35 applications from 10 countries for 15 awards in 2022, 70 applications from 27 countries for 60 awards in 2023 (to align with the 60th anniversary of the CAP Foundation), and 32 pathologists in 2024. In feedback to the CAP Foundation, awardees who attended the annual meetings stated they would make changes to testing and personnel management based on what they learned through virtual education sessions. That sentiment is backed by direct testimonials from awardees.
THE GLOBAL PATHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Conversations with several international pathology organizations informed the GPC that even while working with a small budget, they have been able to make a big impact in the global health arena. Using this information, the GPC developed a grant that international pathologists/pathology organizations could apply for, outlining how they would use funding. It was also noted that offering a grant opportunity to international pathology organizations would help in establishing future collaboration opportunities.
The CAP Foundation Global Pathology Development Grant (originally the Global Pathology Award) launched in 2022. The grant is intended to provide funding to support organizations and individuals who are working with limited budgets and have active programs promoting pathology services in underresourced areas across the globe. This grant program and the initiatives it funds address different areas while reaching the same goal in arming pathologists with tools to harness the rapidly evolving landscape of health care, leveraging skills and knowledge to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. To date, 10 awards have been bestowed.
CAP CANCER PROTOCOL WEBINAR SERIES–2023
The GPC explored the idea of education and support around utilization of the CAP Cancer Protocols. The CAP Cancer Protocols are a tremendous resource and offered to pathologists around the globe free of charge in a paper/Microsoft Excel format. An electronic format is also available but associated with a fee. The overarching goal of this endeavor was to demonstrate a “model” of excellence to aid pathologists and pathology practices by the implementation of a higher level of quality and standardization of reporting, resulting in improved, consistent diagnosis, leading to accurate diagnosis and improved patient care.1
GLOBAL PATHOLOGY SPECIAL SECTION
Another undertaking of the GPC was to organize a special Global Pathology section in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Along with support from the Archives editorial staff, this section has come to fruition and is presented in this issue of the Archives. There are 4 articles, including a description of the OPEN Pathology Network collaboration with the International Gynecologic Cancer Society; an in-depth description of the journey of pathologists and their team to achieve CAP accreditation in an international hospital in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; an assessment of global pathology endeavors during the last decade; and the successful validation of a new cancer diagnostic test in a public hospital in Kenya.
In conclusion, the CAP Foundation GPC welcomes suggestions for future projects and initiatives; you may send them to [email protected].