Ontario Association of Pathologists (OAP)

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.

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.