2023 CAP Outstanding Service Award

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Outstanding Service Award Established in Honor of Frank W. Hartman recognizes a CAP Fellow for outstanding service to a single CAP program, project, or related endeavor, generally over a long period of time. The award honors Frank W. Hartman, MD, FCAP, the CAP’s first president. The CAP presents this award when merited, not necessarily on an annual basis.

The College of American Pathologists presents William V. Harrer, MD, FCAP, with the 2023 CAP Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his extensive contributions and leadership within numerous areas of the CAP.

For decades, Dr. Harrer has been an active member of the CAP, as well as the American Medical Association’s (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD). Serving as a leading advocate for pathology and laboratory medicine, he has been widely recognized by members of the CAP and the AMA HOD for his leadership, mentorship, intelligence, and humor.

The AMA HOD serves as a key forum where physicians of all specialties meet to discuss, debate, and ultimately form a cohesive policy for the practice of medicine and the patients they serve. As chair of the CAP delegation and a delegate himself, Dr. Harrer has served as a critical link to the AMA and the nation’s physicians, keeping patients and pathology at the heart of his advocacy.

As a CAP delegate for many years, Dr. Harrer has served as a visible and direct contact for the CAP to communicate with and contribute to the formulation of AMA policy positions on behalf of pathologists. Dr. Harrer dedicated a few decades of his professional life to keeping his AMA colleagues abreast of advances in laboratory medicine. His success can be attributed not only to his dedication but also to the team of pathologists he has worked with at the AMA over the years. He has led many policy initiatives, tackling issues ranging from regulatory burden to addressing payment for services provided to patients.

For many years, Dr. Harrer has provided dedicated service in support of the CAP’s Advocacy program. As a member of the Board of Governors, he chaired the Council on Government and Professional Affairs. He currently serves as a member of the CAP Foundation. Further, Dr. Harrer advanced policy to advocate for patients and improve the health care system. He also served as a mentor to new-in-practice pathologists, cultivating promising pathology leaders to help them gain leadership positions in the AMA.

Dr. Harrer is a former laboratory director of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey.

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