Dear RPS Membership,

The 4th Annual RPS/KUFA Satellite Meeting held in conjunction with the 21st European Congress of Pathology Meeting was a tremendous success. The enthralling and historic city of Istanbul was the venue. The meeting site overlooked the Bosphorus Strait that divides the Asian side of the city from the European side. Notice the juxtaposed old mosque and gleaming new hotel. The Turkish national soccer team played a game in the stadium below.

Attendance at the Satellite Meeting was excellent, testing the room accommodations. There were 41 attendees, 14 RPS members and 27 non-RPS members from countries throughout Europe. The presenters were a blend of RPS members, European Working Group of Nephropathology members, and non Pathologist invited speakers from Europe. All in attendance appreciated the quality of the presentations. Laura Barisoni and her Scientific and Education Committee members Alec Howie and Serena Bagnesco, and Helen Liapis and Maria Picken deserve not only our congratulations for the success of the meeting and our deep appreciation for organizing this event, a challenging endeavor.

 The ECP was itself an excellent meeting with a comprehensive program touching upon all aspects of Pathology with recognized experts from around the globe presenting. I attended several non renal sessions and found them equivalent to those at the USCAP. The Working Group for Nephropathology had an impressive presence at the meeting with an all day Pre-Congress Meeting, and four additional scientific sessions during the Congress that covered diverse topics such as difficult cases, outcomes in renal pathology, renal transplantation and electron microscopy. Several RPS members also attended the WG Nephropathology Business Meeting where an additional session was held to provide an update on Banff 2007. The combination of building productive liaisons between the RPS and the WG for Nephropathology, establishing new friendships with our European colleagues, having a unique cultural experience and, of course, benefiting from the educational opportunities made this a memorable week for all.

Stephen M. Bonsib, MD
Albert G. and Harriet G. Smith Endowed Professor and Chair
Department of Pathology
LSU Health Sciences Center
1541 Kings Highway Shreveport, LA  71130-3932
Phone: 318-675-4557
Fax: 318-675-4541
E-mail: sbonsi@lsuhsc.edu