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- 2023 CAP Distinguished Patient Care Award
Established in 2006, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Distinguished Patient Care Award recognizes and honors a member who has made an outstanding contribution to patient care. It recognizes behavior that, when emulated, enhances the practice of pathology. In addition, this award reflects the mission, vision, and values of the CAP. The CAP presents the award when merited, not necessarily on an annual basis.
Varsha Manucha, MD, FCAP
The College of American Pathologists honors Varsha Manucha, MD, FCAP, with the 2023 CAP Distinguished Patient Care Award for her unparalleled and ongoing commitment to pathology and the CAP.
Dr. Manucha is an expert in cytopathology, head and neck pathology, and urologic pathology, making her one of the most respected pathologists at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In 2022, she was honored with the Consultant of the Year Award by the UMMC Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Since 2018, Dr. Manucha has been at the forefront and now leads the CAP Foundation’s See, Test & Treat® program at the University of Mississippi, benefiting hundreds of women in the area. The program has grown and last year included biannual free cancer screening and health education to medically underserved communities. In addition to her Distinguished Patient Care Award, Dr. Manucha is also being honored with the CAP Foundation’s 2023 Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award for her work with the UMMC See, Test & Treat program.
Inspired by her See, Test & Treat experiences, Dr. Manucha has also established a cervical cancer screening program in a peripheral clinic serving disadvantaged women in India. Dr. Manucha is an active member of the CAP’s Cytopathology Committee and volunteers for the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Partners for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Africa program.
Dr. Manucha is dedicated to improving and expanding the clinical services offered to Mississippians, many of whom come from rural areas and travel long distances to receive medical care. She is currently working on establishing a pathology consultation program at UMMC to educate patients about the pathology of their disease and empower them to make informed decisions about their health and treatment.
Dr. Manucha is also a strong advocate for physician wellness and is a founding member of the University of Mississippi Physician Wellness Committee. Dr. Manucha's outstanding contributions to her community and the UMMC family have made her an invaluable member of the UMMC Department of Pathology and underscore her commitment to patient care.
Dr. Manucha is the director of the division of cytopathology, a professor of surgical pathology and cytopathology, and section chief of genitourinary and head and neck pathology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.