Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP
Dr. Karcher’s service to the field, and his term as the CAP’s 38th president, reflect an exceptional commitment to patients, pathologists, and the long-term strength of the profession. His leadership is defined by integrity, sound judgment, and a clear focus on advancing pathology’s role in patient care.
Dr. Karcher provided steady, principled leadership during a period of significant regulatory and workforce challenges, ensuring that pathologists’ perspectives were clearly represented in federal policy discussions at a critical moment for the profession. He testified before the US House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health regarding oversight of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), advocating for a balanced, risk-based approach that protects patients, preserves access to high-quality diagnostics, and avoids unnecessary regulatory burden that could limit innovation or delay care.
While reinforcing the CAP’s role as a professional home that reflects the diversity and global nature of today’s pathology workforce, Dr. Karcher also placed strong emphasis on the future of pathology. He actively supported the CAP’s Future Pathologist Champions and Medical Student initiatives and consistently championed engagement of trainees, residents, and early career pathologists, recognizing mentorship and early involvement as essential to sustaining the profession.
Inclusion and belonging were also central to Dr. Karcher’s presidency. He elevated discussions around international medical graduates and internationally trained pathologists and emphasized the importance of equity, access, and global engagement. He also underscored the importance of pathologists’ visibility within the health care system, reinforcing the message that pathologists are essential physicians in patient care. And he deeply valued the CAP’s volunteer members and worked to ensure that governance structures and committees were aligned, effective, and purposeful.
Throughout his service, Dr. Karcher was known as a thoughtful, respectful leader who welcomed differing perspectives and asked difficult questions when necessary. Dr. Karcher is richly deserving of the CAP Pathologist of the Year Award.
Dr. Karcher is a professor of pathology and the immediate past chair of the department of pathology at The George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.