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Career Ambassadors Pathology Ambassadors

Pathology Ambassadors

Promote careers in pathology in your community

What is the ASCP Pathology Ambassadors Program?

Pathology Ambassadors is a network of resident and pathologist members who meet with and present to medical students. Pathology Ambassadors also host meet-ups for medical students to discuss pathology with each other and other pathologists/residents to learn more about the specialty. 

Ambassador Activities

Pathology Ambassadors have a variety of activities to choose from, including the following:

  • Presentations: Connect with a student group to talk to medical students about pathology. This can be as simple as following the ASCP PowerPoint or as elaborate as setting up hands-on activities.
  • Shadowships: Host a student at your lab and take them through your day so they can learn “hands-on” what happens in the lab every day.
  • Host a Meet-up: Host a meet-up at a local restaurant, library, etc. for students to come and ask questions about working in the lab. Enlist your colleagues to attend and help engage with the students.

Apply to be a Pathology Ambassador

The Pathology Ambassadors program gives you the opportunity to educate students on the importance of pathology in patient care. ASCP encourages you to share your own personal story of what made you interested in the field of pathology along with successes you’ve had. To become a Pathology Ambassador, log in to your ASCP account and submit your interest via the Volunteer Portal.

Volunteer Application

Pathology Ambassadors Have an Important Role

To get the most out of the program, we ask that Pathology Ambassadors engage in the following activities during their appointment:

  • Attend the Pathology Ambassador virtual orientation.
  • Schedule and host your first event October 1 - October 31 and submit a Pathology Ambassador Activity Reporting form by November 15.
  • Schedule and host a second event March 1 - March 31 and submit an activity reporting form by April 15.
  • Respond to ASCP Resident Council check-ins 4x per year (October, December, March, and May).
  • Participate in a short Engagement Survey.
  • Help us create a pipeline of future Pathology Ambassadors: recommend others who would enjoy the role.
  • Use Twitter to post about your role as a Pathology Ambassador using the hashtag #ASCPResCo.
  • If possible, attend the ASCP Annual Meeting with a special invitation.

Questions? Email membership@ascp.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a Pathology Ambassador you should be focused on promoting pathology to medical students at your institutions, or traveling to medical schools where there are no pathology residency programs.

Yes, we strongly encourage you to speak with the Pathology Interest Groups at your institution. The ASCP Resident Council has compiled a list of suggested valuable and engaging activities that can be replicated by Pathology Interest Groups at your institution and for potential Pathology Interest Groups in the future.

This will vary from group to group. Medical students at an institution with no exposure to a pathology residency may require some additional information during their presentations. A PowerPoint created by the ASCP Resident Council can be shared with medical students, describing pathology residency, the importance of pathology in patient care, and highlighting the lifestyle of a pathologist. We encourage you to share your own personal story of what made you interested in the field of pathology along with successes you’ve had as a pathologist.

Social media is a very important component of this program, so we strongly encourage you to take photos, if appropriate and allowed by the students. Please post your photos on Twitter and Instagram with the #pathologyambassador, and in the Pathology Ambassador Facebook group.

Teaming up with a coworker or colleague is a great idea and strongly encouraged. However, it is not required to team up, and solo presentations are perfectly acceptable.

Please complete an activity report after each presentation and share your experience in the Facebook group.

Each month, ASCP will randomly one Pathology Ambassador who has completed an activity report, and posted in the Facebook group to receive a gift card.

Yes, membership with ASCP is required to participate. If you are a US-based pathology resident, you have an automatic free membership with ASCP through your residency. Log in to your ASCP account to verify your membership status

Membership with ASCP is required to be a Pathology Ambassador and use the Pathology Ambassador materials. Your colleague will need to complete the online volunteer application. ASCP will review the application to ensure that the applicant is a good fit.

Social media is a very important component of this program, so we strongly encourage participation in the Pathology Ambassador Facebook group. This is an easy way for ambassadors to connect and share ideas. The ASCP Resident Council, Fellow Council, and Commission on Membership will additionally be sharing their support on this program through the Facebook group.

We strongly encourage you to leverage the Facebook group to share ideas with other volunteers. If you have logistical questions about the program, or if you’re not finding the information you need, please email ASCP at membership@ascp.org.

Travel Stipends

ASCP will award Pathology Ambassadors with a $50 stipend to complete a presentation at an institution where there is no pathology residency program. Ambassadors must be able to show that they traveled 50 plus miles round trip, as well as proof of the presentation through a social media post and a completed activity form. ASCP will not cover missed wages or additional fees to attend a presentation. Stipend request forms and supporting documentation should be sent within two weeks of the presentation date. Click here to view the ASCP Pathology Ambassador Travel Stipend Request Form.

Travel Advances

ASCP does not provide travel advances to cover anticipated presentation costs

ASCP Pathology Ambassadors