Dear fellow Pancreatobiliary Pathology enthusiasts,
I am pleased to greet you as the 2024 PBPS president. I would like to thank our immediate past president Dr. Olca Basturk for her unwavering dedication to our society and the outstanding leadership she has shown these past 2 years, and beyond. I am committed to continuing the important work started by those before me as we continue to grow our young Society. I also wish to thank our committee members and chairs, other members of our executive board (Drs. Diana Agostini-Vulaj, Grace Kim, Claudio Luchini and Huamin Wang), and all who give their time, talent and support to PBPS and the pancreatobiliary pathology field.
One of our society’s most important missions is providing educational resources for our members. In keeping with this mission, we had another successful companion society meeting at USCAP’24. I am grateful to our outstanding speakers, Drs. David Klimstra (PBPS Past President) and Guido Rindi (European Society of Pathology [ESP]) for their time and expertise in covering complex topics under the banner of “Perspectives on Neuroendocrine and Mixed Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Pancreas”. This year’s companion meeting also featured an interactive discussion, moderated by Drs. Atsuko Kasajima (also of the ESP) and Mari Mino-Kenudson, with live Q&A and audience responses from our @PBPath Twitter page.
PBPS also recognized another excellent trainee-led abstract at the companion meeting. You, our members, submitted 23 abstracts for consideration. Our Education Committee judged, ranked and selected the best one. The 2024 winner of the best abstract award along with a $500 gift certificate was Dr. Tom Z. Liang whose abstract was titled Mapping Tumor Heterogeneity and Metabolomics of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma using Raman Hyperspectral Imaging with Machine Learning Interpretation.
A benefit of membership is the ability to network and share ideas with like-minded individuals. In this vein (and new this year), PBPS co-hosted a joint reception with the Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society and Hans Popper Hepatopathology Society in Baltimore on March 24th. In addition to providing a great networking opportunity, it also featured food, fellowship, and several book raffles (thanks to all authors who donated their books!).
In September the PBPS-ESP Digestive Disease Working Group will offer a joint session during the 36th annual European Congress of Pathology meeting on September 9, 2024, in Florence, Italy. The theme of the session is Pathology of the Ampullary Region: Do’s and Don’ts. It will feature esteemed speakers including PBPS Past President Dr. Volkan Adsay and Dr. Caroline Verbeke (both ESP representatives), as well as Drs. Olca Basturk and Grace E. Kim. The session will be moderated by Drs. Roger Feakins and Sanjay Kakar.
I am especially pleased to announce an educational offering closer to home, a 3-day interactive microscopy course, which represents a collaboration between the PBPS and USCAP, which will be held at the USCAP Interactive Center in Palm Springs, CA, beginning May 19th, 2025. This course will be directed by Dr. Olca Basturk and will feature other world renowned experts (Drs. Grace E. Kim, Michelle Reid, Huamin Wang and Yoh Zen) who will cover a variety of topics including small biopsies, cytologic and resection specimens from the pancreatobiliary tract, highlighting challenges in grossing, frozen section evaluation, fine needle aspiration and small biopsy assessment, as well as terminology, grading, and classification guidelines for pancreatic, biliary and ampullary tumors. This course will be of particular interest to surgical pathologists, cytopathologists, and anatomic pathology trainees. Since there are only a limited number of slots, early registration is encouraged. Even if you are not an USCAP member, as a PBPS member you will receive the same course discount as a (practicing pathologist) USCAP member. Click the link below to find out more and register for this event. https://my.uscap.org/app/program/d5poeu0/index.cfm
PBPS stands committed to advancing the field through collaboration, education, and research, and welcomes all who share this passion. If you are an associate member or are considering becoming a member, please consider joining as a regular member to unlock more member benefits and play an active role in our society.
Thank you for your support and commitment. I look forward to serving and working with you to fulfill PBPS’ strategic mission and objectives.
With gratitude,
Michelle D. Reid, MD, MS
President