The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Chicago, and the Society for Hematopathology, Augusta, Ga, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), effective January 2013, that will enhance education initiatives, membership services, and advocacy to mutually benefit the members of both societies.
“This collaboration formalizes our shared goal of improving patient care here and throughout the world,” says ASCP President C. Bruce Alexander, MD, FASCP. “ASCP and the Society for Hematopathology each bring respective strengths to this partnership. This will allow us to develop innovative solutions to the challenges we encounter in a changing health care environment, and to provide enhanced services to our members.”
The partnership will strengthen both societies’ shared missions of interdisciplinary education, scientific discovery, and advocacy; leverage their respective resources and membership benefits; and create administrative efficiencies while allowing each society to maintain its own identity and governance. As a key part of the agreement, the Society for Hematopathology biennial hematology workshop will be held in tandem with the ASCP Annual Meeting, beginning in 2015.
As part of the agreement, ASCP will provide concierge staff support to Society for Hematopathology leadership and committees, conduct annual membership campaigns, and coordinate member communications and meetings. Both societies will explore the possibility of developing a corporate membership strategy and opportunities for enhanced collaboration in the future.
“Association with the ASCP brings collaborative vitality to both organizations,” Marsha C. Kinney, MD, president, Society for Hematopathology, said on behalf of the executive committee. “The large and experienced ASCP staff provides in-depth professional management and membership services and support for our educational activities. ASCP is a leader in international health care, and Society for Hematopathology members will have expanded opportunities to make a difference in hematology/hematopathology practice and patient care worldwide. As a result of these enhanced support services, the Society for Hematopathology will be positioned to focus on new academic projects, enhanced fellowship training, and have an expanded presence for advocacy efforts regarding hematopathology practice.”
[Source: ASCP]
