Neuropathology Committee

Charge

• To define, monitor, and develop programs to promote quality assurance and performance improvement in neuropathology practice;
• To keep members informed of emerging technologies, policies, and other issues involving the field of neuropathology;
• To contribute to the continuing education of members through the design of and participation in CAP educational programs and publications;
• To serve as the source of expertise in neuropathology and related practice, education, and research aspects to the CAP and its members;
• To foster relationships between neuropathologists and clinical colleagues in neurosurgery, neurology, neurooncology, and neuroradiology;
• To enhance patient care and management by promoting the role of neuropathologists as clinician collaborators in basic, clinical, and translational sciences;
• To promote the role of neuropathologists as educators to patients, students, trainees, and professional colleagues; and
• To maintain active liaisons with appropriate lay and professional organizations.

This committee reports to the Council on Scientific Affairs.

Neuropathology Resources

• CAP Protocol for the Examination of Specimens from Patients with Tumors of the Central Nervous System
• Adult Autopsy Reporting Protocol (PDF)
• Adult Autopsy Reporting Protocol (Word)
• Anatomic Pathology Education Programs

Commitment

Time Commitment Requirements
Number of face-to-face meetings	2
Length of meetings	1.5 days
Typical meeting days	Friday and Saturday, or Saturday and Sunday
Meeting locations	Meeting is usually less than 50 miles from an airport
Number of conference calls	Varies, depending on member and specific assignments
Hours/year of committee work required outside of meetings	Member 30+, Vice-Chair 45+, Chair 70+
Additional travel or time commitments	Attendance at the Council on Scientific Affairs Leadership meetings for the Chair

Activities of Committee

• Act as advisors to CAP regarding issues and practice of Neuropathology, including recommendations for handling and processing specific surgical and autopsy tissue samples.
• Monitor new and emerging issues/practices/technologies in neuropathology practice that may impact CAP members.
• Serve as interface with appropriate professional organizations (eg, current and former committee members are officers and hold leadership positions in the American Association of Neuropathologists).
• Contribute to continuing education of members:
  • Prepare new cases and discussions, and review responses for the Neuropathology (NP) Program
  • Support the CAP and other CAP committees and programs by providing:
    • Cases (clinical history, questions, discussion, and references) and paraffin blocks for the Performance Improvement in Surgical Pathology (PIP) Program
      • Cases (including clinical history, questions, discussion, references, and images) for the Autopsy (AU) Program
      • Questions/images for the Autopsy and Forensic Pathology Self-Assessment
      • Contribute to CAP publications (eg, chapters in Autopsy Performance and Reporting, 2nd edition, 2003)
  • Participate in educational programs at annual CAP meetings
  • Review and make recommendations regarding CAP Cancer Checklists

Expertise or Experience

• Practicing neuropathologists or surgical pathologist with subspecialty interest/expertise
• Interest in promoting pathology as a specialty and neuropathology as a subspecialty
• Interest in promoting excellence in neuropathology practice
• Ability to communicate with nonsubspecialists about neuropathology

Benefits of Committee Membership

• Opportunity to publish materials
• Opportunity to speak at education events
• Opportunity to promote neuropathology

Representation on Committee Beyond the CAP

• Provide liaisons with American Board of Pathology (ABP), American Association of Neuropathologists (AANP), other professional pathology and related societies, related lay associations, and various federal agencies as appropriate