 | The Renal Pathology Society (RPS) held a business meeting on Saturday evening, March 25, 2000 during the annual meeting of the USCAP at the Riverside Hilton in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Melvin Schwartz called the meeting to order, since Dr. Charles Alpers had not arrived yet. Approximately 27 members were in attendance.
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Dr. Schwartz announced to the members about the plaque listing all previous Presidents of the RPS and showed it to the membership. He also indicated that a photograph of the plaque was to be presented to all previous Presidents of the RPS at the dinner following the membership meeting.
The need to update the RPS website was mentioned and the discussion postponed until the Communications Committee formal presentation.
The membership approved issuing diplomas attesting membership in the RPS. The diploma is to read: "Let it be known that _____________ is a member of the Renal Pathology Society." Date of membership and signatures of the President and Secretary-Treasurer of the RPS will also be included. The Secretary-Treasurer will be in charge of designing and creating the diplomas.
The membership voted to have only one Young Investigator Award a year, to be given at the United States-Canadian Academy of Pathology Meeting. Applications will be accepted from abstracts submitted to both ASN and US-CAP meetings.
It was the consensus that the Program Committee headed by Charles Jennette, in conjunction with Kim Solez, will look into the possibility of the RPS interacting more closely with the International Society of Nephrology. It was proposed that perhaps the RPS should consider sponsoring a symposium and attempts should be made to investigate whether a pathologist (RPS member) could be on the program committee. This will help expanding the scope of the RPS and will provide international visibility which will help in attracting international members. Application forms to the RPS should be made available at these meetings as well as the ASN and US-CAP annual meetings.
Following Dr. Schwartz' presentation, Dr. Guillermo Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer made his presentation. The Society has $33,018.83 in assets and enjoys a good financial condition. Over the past year, the RPS's assets have increased by $5,614.80. The Newsletter contains valuable information that the membership should carefully review. The Auditing Committee will receive the Treasurer's report presented to the membership for their approval.
The Chairs of the various committees proceeded to give their reports.
Dr. Rosen, Chair of the Nominating and Awards Committee indicated that the recipient of the Churg Award for this year has been selected. He also alluded to the photo of the plaque to be presented at the dinner to all Past Presidents. He reiterated that as of next year, only one Young Investigator Award will be given per year at the US-Canadian Academy of Pathology Meeting.
Dr. Pullman from the Research Committee and Dr. Nast (Chair of the Research Committee), indicated that the results of the recent questionnaire that was sent to the membership will be mailed out with the next newsletter and placed in the RPS web site.
Dr. Jennette, Chair of the Education and Scientific Committee, agreed that he will pursue RPS participation in the International Society of Nephrology Meeting, targeting the Berlin meeting in 2003.
Dr. Magil, Chair of the Nominating Committee, read the names of the new members accepted into the Society: These individuals are: Andreas Friedl, M.D., Ingeborg M. Bajema, M.D., and Jeff Henegar, Ph.D.
Dr. Nadasdy spoke on behalf of the Training Programs Committee and indicated that the job market for renal pathologists is unpredictable; therefore, it is difficult to decide how many nephropathologists should be trained. It was pointed out that many of the renal biopsies are still read by pathologists without formal training in renal pathology. Combined fellowships including Renal Pathology should be explored further. Strengthening visibility of Renal Pathology and increasing collaboration with nephrologists remain a priority to enhance recruitment into the subspecialty.
Dr. S. Iskandar, Chair of the Communications and Publications Committee, addressed the issue of changing the RPS website. Dr. S. Meleg-Smith volunteered to help. The website will be used to convey useful information about the RPS to prospective members and inform current members of activities, programs, and upcoming events. The Newsletter will be on the website as well. It was decided that Drs. Iskandar, Solez and Meleg-Smith will discuss this issue further and reach an agreement as to how to proceed. Once such agreement is reached, Dr. Alpers will be contacted and a decision will be made.
Dr. Schwartz adjourned the meeting and invited everyone to the reception that followed.