Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) is an international physician association dedicated to education in cytopathology and small biopsy histology. Since the inception of the organization, its members have dedicated themselves to international educational efforts, the development of practice guidelines and service as a forum for issues important to cytopathologists and surgical pathologists interpreting small biopsy material including cytologic specimens. The Society is committed to the development and implementation of “State of the Science” practices consistent with the highest standards established by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Our members actively practice cytopathology and surgical pathology at prestigious institutions throughout the United States and worldwide.

The PSC is a volunteer-run, 501(C)3 organization with a President, President-elect, Treasurer, Secretary and Executive Board of five Members-at-Large, all elected by the membership.

As part of the Society’s mission, its members present a large number of educational programs nationally and internationally. Among these are yearly presentations of a Scientific Session at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), seminars and other presentations at the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC) and the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Recently, the PSC has partnered with the American Society of Cytopathology to present scientific programs addressing important and timely topics in clinical medicine, surgical pathology and cytopathology. The PSC actively participates in international programs, and routinely presents seminars and other educational programs at the European Congress of Cytology (ECC) and the International Academy of Pathology (IAP). The PSC supports and sponsors a number of outreach programs in Africa and Asia. These programs are supported with faculty by the membership of the Society and represent valuable teaching programs to currently underserved areas. In association with Wiley Press, the members of the PSC support a journal donation service to educational institutions and training programs in Africa. Members of the PSC are encouraged to take part in these international tutorial programs.

The PSC is actively developing guidelines and summaries of the “State of the Science” in a number of clinically important areas. Past summaries of the “State of the Science” have included issues dealing with thyroid cytopathology, breast cytopathology and pancreaticobiliary cytology.

Member Services

The PSC supports an active web site at http://www.papsociety.org/ where issues of concern to cytopathologists including guidelines development can be addressed by the membership and other stake holders. This web site allows access to a case of the month program, the FNA tutorial video as well as the society newsletter Focus. The site also hosts the popular Thyroid Atlas that provides images that correspond to the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid FNAs, an initiative that was sponsored by the PSC. Members receive a free subscription to Diagnostic Cytopathology. The Society also has an agreement with the Cytojournal (electronic journal) for free publication of member’s manuscripts in that journal. The PSC also has an agreement with Cancer Cytopathology for members to get a reduced subscription. The Society has a number of committees associated with educational programs, intersociety issues and governance of the Society. Committee participation is open to the general membership of the Society. Associate membership is open to residents and fellows. It carries the full benefits of membership except for holding elective office and receipt of Diagnostic Cytopathology. Associate membership is available at a substantial reduction in dues.

Awards

The PSC presents three annual awards at the USCAP meeting. These awards are L C Tao Educator of the Year, Yolanda Oertel Interventional Cytopathologist of the Year, and the PSC Lifetime Achievement Awards. These awards are given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the practice of cytopathology and education in cytopathology.

The PSC also offers two resident/fellow research awards given yearly at the USCAP meeting. These research awards are based on poster and/or platform presentations at the USCAP meeting.