American Association of Pathologists' Assistants

New Course Now Available: AI in Anatomic Pathology

• Explore how AI is shaping the future of pathology practice
• Compare its impact across pathologists, Pathologists’ Assistants, and histotechnologists
• Understand how deep learning and computer vision apply to lab workflows

Earn 1 General Pathology CE credit on your schedule, at your pace.

Start learning today: aapa.maplelms.com

The fall meeting will be here before you know it. Presenting a poster is an easy way to earn two ASCP CMP points while showcasing your work, connecting with fellow PAs, and contributing to the pathology community. Submissions are open until May 15!

Submissions are open to Fellow, Associate, and Student members https://www.pathassist.org/page/2026Posters

Happy Lab Week 2026: To grossing, and beyond! Celebrating all the medical laboratories that help a diagnosis become possible, beyond the gross room!

How are you celebrating Lab Week?

We hope you all had an amazing PA Day! We want to see your celebrations - send us your photos via direct message or send an email to [email protected]. Some of your photos may end up in the next edition of The Cutting Edge!

Once upon a time, on April 14th, the AAPA was founded to serve the Pathologists’ Assistant community… and today we recognize that day as PA Day! 🎉📖✨
From our early beginnings to the profession we know today, every PA has helped shape this story. Take a moment to explore the history of the PA profession and reflect on the chapters written by those who came before, and the ones still being written every day in labs, classrooms, and institutions around the world.
Thank you for all that you do to support patient care, education, advocacy, and each other. 💙

📸 Celebrating today? We’d love to see it!
Share your PA Day photos and tag us or use so we can celebrate our community together. Your photo may be featured in an upcoming The Cutting Edge journal!
Learn more about the history of the profession, download posters, bookmarks, and more here: https://www.pathassist.org/group/PADay

The PA Library is complete just in time for PA Day! Check out some of the titles suggested by members of the AAPA and your fellow PAs! So many different kinds of books, we needed to include subgenres for some of the titles! Thanks to everyone who sent in a recommendation. Any favorites listed? Did we miss something? What would you add to our PA bookshelves?

is almost here!! 📖✨
Be sure to check out all the PA Day resources available on our website, including posters, our advocacy guide, email templates, the official proclamation guide, and more.
And don’t forget our printable bookmarks - perfect for saving your place in your favorite book or your grossing manual. 😉
Explore and download everything here: https://www.pathassist.org/group/PADay

Just like readers, PAs come in all kinds of “genres” - and we want to know which one you are!
Are you The Librarian, carefully following up on every interesting case and keeping your files organized?
The Binge‑Grosser, powering through a stack of specimens with unstoppable focus?
Or maybe you’re the one whose TBG (To Be Grossed) pile keeps growing… like an ever‑expanding series. 😅
Tell us your genre in the comments, or share the image that matches your style!

Ever wish advocacy came with a handbook? 🤔
Good news - our Advocacy Committee wrote one! Flip through their how-to guide on advocating for the Pathologists’ Assistant profession. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your skills, this guide breaks it all down so you can confidently help write the future of our profession.

Download the guide as well as other resources to help advocate for and celebrate the profession this PA Day: https://www.pathassist.org/group/PADay

This summer, take your professional development wherever you go.

Join us for the AAPA Summer Meeting 2026: A dynamic virtual experience where learning meets flexibility and connection.

Whether you're tuning in from home, relaxing on your porch, or traveling this summer, you can stay engaged with high-quality education and your AAPA community.

✨ Earn up to 12 P.A.C.E.® credits
🎓 Institutional Student Members attend FREE
💻 Virtual on Whova

📅 June 13–14, 2026

Stay current. Stay connected. Make the most of your summer.

Register Here: https://bit.ly/4sdaPyX

⏰ Registration closes June 6

Happy Transgender Day of Visibility! 🏳️‍⚧️✨

The AAPA remains committed to uplifting voices within our community and supporting the diverse patients we serve as Pathologists’ Assistants.

Today and every day, we recognize and celebrate transgender and nonbinary individuals, and we remain dedicated to delivering inclusive, respectful, and high-quality care.

As PAs, some of us may encounter specimens from gender-affirming procedures. This care plays an important role in helping individuals feel aligned with their gender identity. It is also important to recognize that similar procedures are performed for cisgender patients, reinforcing that this work is rooted in patient-centered care. Specimens may include mastectomies, orchiectomies, hysterectomies, and more.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee has developed guidance to support respectful and thoughtful specimen handling. If you haven't seen it, swipe to learn more. ➡️

Leading up to , we’re highlighting AAPA members who help share our story today, and shape future chapters. Meet Samantha Etters, Chair of the Digital Communications Subcommitte; Runa Ali, Vice Chair of the Digital Communications Subcommittee; and Yuqian Sun, Chair of the Student Committee.
From creating the content you see across AAPA platforms to supporting students just beginning their PA journey, these members help keep our profession connected, informed, and moving forward - one chapter at a time!

We want to share your stories too - tell us how you found your path to PA, or a favorite moment from your career, by sending us a message!