2024 CAP Distinguished Service Award

This award, established in 1965 (and amended in 2006), recognizes episodic, sustained, or cumulative contributions to the practice of pathology and to the CAP that are sufficiently notable and extraordinary to set the nominee apart from peers. Nominees must be CAP members.

The College of American Pathologists honors Thomas P. Baker, MD, FCAP, with the 2024 CAP Distinguished Service Award for his broad and positive impact on the CAP and the pathology profession throughout his career.

During his time at the CAP, Dr. Baker has served on the Cancer Committee as both a member and the chair, in addition to serving as a liaison to the Pathology Electronic Reporting Committee. In the latter role, he helped align the CAP’s efforts to support high-quality pathology reporting for cancer. His actions and guidance contributed to the widespread utilization of the checklists internationally, both among CAP members and non-members.

Outside the CAP, Dr. Baker served in other organizations such as the American Joint Commission on Cancer, where his patient-centered approach helped ensure pathologic staging information and practices were aligned between professional societies in a manner that best serves patients. As an experienced executive physician, he kept the big picture in mind and used his experience directing an ISO 15189-accredited laboratory to create highly reliable systems in service to the pathology community.

Dr. Baker’s accomplishments include advocating for, designing, and leading The Joint Pathology Center, the successor organization to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. His actions not only ensured this historic organization would persist but also laid the groundwork for critical initiatives that are advancing medicine, such as the digital transformation of the JPC’s repository. The largest of its kind in the world and an invaluable source of data, the repository is helping the US in realizing its potential to transform medicine through artificial intelligence.

Dr. Baker retired in March 2024 as the chief medical officer and director for clinical operations at The Joint Pathology Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The College of American Pathologists honors Anil V. Parwani, MD, PhD, MBA, FCAP, with the 2024 CAP Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his significant impact on the advancement of digital and computational pathology and his unwavering commitment to education and mentorship within the pathology community.

Dr. Parwani's contributions to the CAP have been both profound and impactful. His active participation and efforts in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee and the Digital Pathology Committee, among others, have been instrumental in developing guidelines and standards that ensure the integration of digital pathology and AI into clinical practice, promoting both efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.

Dr. Parwani’s leadership skills extend outside of the CAP, most notably during his term as president of the Digital Pathology Association. He also participates in committees for the US and Canadian Academy of Pathology, the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and the Association for Pathology Informatics, serving as the go-to person for informatics-related issues across these organizations and readily advising several pathology departments planning to implement digital pathology. His always-available attitude has made him a highly sought-after advisor globally, with his efforts helping to forge collaborative growth across pathology.

Dr. Parwani's research, particularly in the integration of AI and machine learning in pathology, has positioned him as a leading figure in the field. His extensive publication record, featuring more than 420 papers and multiple chapters as well as books, alongside his involvement in groundbreaking research projects, reflects his dedication to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes through innovation. His editorial positions in various journals including the Journal of Pathology Informatics have shaped the evolution of digital pathology and the advancement of artificial intelligence in the field.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Parwani’s commitment to education and mentorship is noteworthy. He has been a guiding force for numerous students, residents, and fellows, instilling in them a passion for pathology and preparing them for the challenges of a rapidly evolving medical landscape.

In his career, Dr. Parwani has served with distinction at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where his roles as vice chair of anatomical pathology, director of pathology informatics, and director of the digital pathology shared resource have placed him at the forefront of innovative practice in pathology. His leadership in implementing digital pathology solutions not only within his institution but also on a global scale exemplifies his dedication to enhancing patient care through technological advancement.

Dr. Parwani is a professor of pathology and biomedical informatics and chair of the pathology department at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Colombus, Ohio.

The College of American Pathologists honors Deborah A. Perry, MD, FCAP, with the 2024 CAP Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to the field of pathology and her extensive service in numerous local and national organizations.

Dr. Perry completed medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), residency at the University of Iowa Health System and a hematopathology fellowship at UNMC. She has subspecialty board certification in Hematology and Pediatric Pathology. Since 1989, she has practiced hematopathology and pediatric pathology at Nebraska Methodist and Women’s Hospitals and Children’s Nebraska, formerly Children’s Hospital. Also, she served as the laboratory medical director at these institutions and held positions on their respective boards of directors. She has served as a consultant and laboratory medical director for three rural hospitals in Nebraska and Iowa. Despite her demanding professional commitments, Dr. Perry remains invested in education, serving as a volunteer faculty member at both UNMC and Creighton University, where she teaches pathology to residents. She also is the medical director of the medical laboratory scientist (MLS) program at Methodist Hospital.

Over the last 15 years, Dr. Perry has been actively involved in the CAP. She has contributed significantly to various CAP committees, including the Hematopathology Committee, Point of Care Testing Committee, Nominating Committee, Publications Committee, Accreditation Committee, and was chair of the Point of Care Testing Committee and vice-chair of Accreditation committee. She puts her leadership skills to good use conducting domestic and international laboratory inspections and serving as an instructor for the CAP’s Laboratory Medical Direction Program. In 2013, Dr. Perry was honored with the CAP Excellence in Teaching Award, which was retired in 2017, in recognition of her exceptional teaching abilities.

Dr. Perry’s clinical excellence and astute judgment have earned her the high regard of patient-facing colleagues, hospital administrators, and pathologists across the country, but it is her patience, humility, and unfailing compassion that have made her an effective and beloved leader. Her commitment to patient care serves as a shining example to colleagues and students alike.

Dr. Perry is a pathologist at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Nebraska Methodist Women’s Hospital, and Children’s Nebraska in Omaha, Nebraska.

Return to 2024 Meritorious Service Awards Honorees