Certification Update

I am very pleased to announce that, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Dr. J. Thomas, who sits on the executive of the Can. Assoc. of Pathologists, the President, Dr. Cook (Memorial U., Newfoundland & Labrador) has begun the survey of the nation's PAs. He has circulated a letter to all Directors of Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine asking to identify all those who may be functioning as Pathologists' Assistants. Regrettably, this is re-doing the efforts of the CSMLS who, through an independent consultant, already circulated a questionnaire to all Canadian PAs. They dropped the ball on the issue of national certification of PAs however and failed to keep the mailing list.
Once all individuals are identified, a questionnaire will be circulated to Canada's PAs.
The CAP recognises the importance of training and regulation of PAs and it is to this end that they have embarked on this process. The CMA Accreditation office has expressed an interest in PAs and is eager to provide assistance when that stage is reached.
The first step of listing PAs has begun and that's an important step in the right direction.