The Ontario Association of Pathologists (OAP) was founded in 1937 for educational and scientific purposes. Pathologists are specialist physicians who are experts in the diagnosis of cancer, the use of laboratory tests in medical practice and forensic pathology. The OAP represents the interests of patients, the public and pathologists by fostering excellence in the practice of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Ontario.
The OAP is the oldest pathology organization in the country. It was founded in 1937 following a Conference convened by the Deputy Minister of Health “to see what could be done about approving pathologists for Tissue Diagnosis”. Currently OAP membership is approximately three hundred.
The OAP formally represents pathologists within agencies such as Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Breast Assessment Collaborative Group. It also represents pathologists in discussions with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services of Ontario concerning forensic autopsies and related forensic medicine issues.
The OAP has been proactive in developing key planning documents for government and healthcare agency administrators on various aspects of medical and laboratory practice.
These include:
- Proposal for an Ontario Laboratory Accreditation Program
- Oncologic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Cancer Care Ontario: A Strategic Plan
- Medical Human Resource Planning – prepared for Ontario’s Health Services Restructuring Commission by the OMA Section on Laboratory Medicine and the OAP
- “Laboratory Director – Definition and Responsibilities” – prepared by the OMA Section on Laboratory Medicine and endorsed by the OAP
Path2Quality (P2Q) – The OAP in partnership with the OMA Section on Laboratory Medicine has established a model of professional collaboration that is highly regarded by the profession, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care as well as other health care organizations. 2009-2014 Path2Quality report available here (PDF)
Mission and Goals
The Ontario Association of Pathologists (OAP) is a not-for-profit medical society organized for educational and scientific purposes. Its goal is to represent the interests of patients, the public, and pathologists by fostering excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine in Ontario.
The objectives of the Association are to:
- enhance the quality and accessibility of pathology services for patients
- promote the advancement of pathology as a medical discipline
- promote the maintenance of a high standard of knowledge, diagnostic and consultative skills and ethics among its members
- promote the scientific interests of its members
- promote research in pathology
- liaise and directly interact, where appropriate, with other medical societies, institutional, and governmental agencies, to promote the above objectives.