History of the ARP, 1921-1976

The American Registry of Pathology (ARP) was founded in 1921 by the American Society of Ophthalmology, and shortly thereafter added as a member the American Society of Otolaryngology. Over the next 50 years, several other specialty societies became members of the ARP. Their purpose was to build collections of rare and unusual specimens from throughout the country for educational and research purposes. During this period, educational courses were initiated and consultative, second-opinion diagnostic pathology services were provided without fee.

During Brig. Gen. Elbert DeCoursey's tenure as Director in 1950, Drs. Shields Warren, Chair, Arthur Purdy Stout, Howard Karsner, Fred Stewart, Harold Steward, and Balduin Lucke founded the Atlas of Tumor Pathology, authored and edited by a national group of academic pathologists. The initial publication was established under Dr. Keith Cannon of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science, followed by a brief interlude with Universities Associated for Research and Education in Pathology (UAREP) and, finally, sponsorship by the ARP.

The Executive Committee of the ARP is drawn from the Board of Directors nominated by the sponsoring member societies.

ARP, 1976-2001

In 1975, one of the Surgeons General suggested that civilian participation in a federal institution was not appropriate and directed that the relationship be terminated. In response to this action, Congress chartered the American Registry of Pathology in 1976, pursuant to Public Law 94-361, legislation sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy and Sam Nunn. This was stimulated partially through the efforts of Dr. Arthur Silverstein, an immunologist assigned by the Army to the AFIP and later recruited as an aide to Senator Ted Kennedy. Aiding these efforts were Dr. Chapman Binford, Chair of the Infectious Disease Department, Dr. Robert E. Stowell, Scientific Director of the AFIP, who testified before Congress, and COL Joe M. Blumberg, a former director of the AFIP. Together, they engendered support for this legislation among the pathology community of the United States. The first Executive Director of ARP was Dr. Chapman H. Binford, (1976-1978) followed by Kenneth M. Earle (1978- 1980) and Elgin C. Cowart, Jr. (1980-1990).

One function of the ARP is to expand the scope of activities that AFIP can undertake by acting as principal liaison to the civilian medical community. This interaction with the civilian medical sector takes the form of Cooperative Enterprises between ARP and AFIP, which Congress has authorized in the broad areas of medical research, education, and consultation. Through the Cooperative Enterprise mechanism, ARP receives fees for educational courses and consultations as well as private grant funding that, in turn, is used to enhance the combined mission of both organizations. ARP acts as the sponsoring body for private and public contracts and grants and, with AFIP, appoints Distinguished Scientists who have largely replaced SES members as Chairs of departments.