ORGANIZATION OF INDIAN COLLEGE OF PATHOLOGISTS (ICP)

In 1990, Dr. C. I. Jhala, the then President of Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists, proposed the idea of starting an Indian College of Pathologists (ICP) on the lines similar to the Royal College of Pathologists, London. This proposal was placed for the consideration of the Executive Council and General Body of IAPM in the year 1991. The proposal was finally accepted by the EC and GBM of IAPM in meetings held during the annual conference of IAPM at the AFMC, Pune in the year 1992. The main purpose of starting the Indian College of Pathologists was to propagate and enlarge upon the academic activities of the IAPM. Thus, the responsibility of academic activities of the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists; such as CMEs and training courses in subspecialities/superspecialities would now rest with the Indian College of Pathologists.

To begin with, the ICP recognized academically accomplished Indian Pathologists who have contributed substantially to the cause of IAPM by conferring and admitting them as Honorary Fellows of the Indian College of Pathologists (FICPath). Currently these fellowships are limited to ten applicants each year.

The ICP recognized that, in this country, while super-specialization courses were available in clinical specialties, such courses were not available after postgraduation in Pathology. Thus, there was a need to train and augment pathologists in various subspecialities branches in the broad perspective of Pathology. In due course of time the ICP started several Post-Doctoral Certification courses in Laboratory Medicine, Oncopathology, Cytology, Renal Pathology, GIT Pathology, Neuropathology, Dermatopathology, Pediatric and Neonatal Pathology. Selected applicants are trained for a period of one-year under well-established experts and institutions in their respective fields. On satisfactory completion of training and passing examination, the successful candidates are awarded a “Post-Doctoral Certificate.” Several such certified Pathologists are now actively a part of super specialty teams all over the country.

In 1996 just two years after the founding of “Association of Indian Pathologists in North America” (AIPNA), its Executive Committee requested the then Dean of ICP Dr S. J. Nagalotimath and Dr. Vijay Joshi, the then Co-ordinator of AIPNA, with the responsibility to initiate and conduct an annual International CME Course in Surgical Pathology and Cytology. The Indian College of Pathologists (ICP) became the co-sponsors of that course. This CME now called the “International CME in Pathology” is a regular and a popular academic programme jointly organized by the ICP in collaboration with AIPNA, every year. This collaborative sponsorship allows renowned overseas speakers from different countries worldwide and not limited to North America alone, to participate as faculty along with faculty from India. These CMEs are very popular and have benefitted young pathologists, especially postgraduate students for over 25 years now. The ICP also provides travel fellowships to postgraduates in pathology for attending this international CME.

Another important milestone is the collaboration of the ICP with the Royal College of Pathologists, UK, to conduct the Part I of the Examination leading to the Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists (MRCPath). This was primarily the result of extensive communications of Dr. C. I. Jhala with officials of the Royal College of Pathologists, London. This was of benefit to desirous applicants from India and neighboring countries to take the examination in India instead of travelling to other countries overseas. Thus, in the year 2001, ICP conducted the MRC Path (Part I) Theory Examination in Histopathology, Hematology and Microbiology at Mumbai. These examinations were supervised by Dr. K. P. Deodhar. Dr. D. N. Lanjewar and Dr. Vinaya Shah (the then treasurer of ICP). The MRC Path (Part I) Theory Examinations were conducted twice a year and the last such examination conducted by the ICP was in March 2017. More than 300 pathologists have appeared in these examinations in India. Several of these successful candidates have ever since completed their Part II Examinations in the United Kingdom and are now well settled in the UK and other countries.

The collaboration between the Indian College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Pathologists also resulted in two International CMEs held at the Christian Medical College, Vellore in 2003 and the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi in 2004.

In the year 2006, the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists accepted the proposal of the ICP to hold the Indian College of Pathologists Oration during the Annual Conference of the IAPM (APCON) to honor eminent Pathologists. Every year the oration is held in the memory of a different renowned Indian Pathologist. The first ICP Oration was held in 2007 in the memory of the first Dean of ICP, Dr. S. J. Nagalotimath,(Indian College of Pathologists Oration in the memory of Dr SJ Nagalotimath) and was delivered by Dr. N. C. Nayak at the 56^th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists at Chandigarh.

ICP Fellow Retreat

In the early years, fellows of the ICP would meet as a group each year at the venue of the annual conference of the IAPM at the annual general body meeting. However, there was a feeling that belonging to the ICP conferred no special benefit to the fellows in terms of either academic or social fellowship. A decision was therefore made to address both these needs by instituting a retreat where fellows and their families could enjoy an exclusive academic cum social experience at a quiet spot away from the madding crowd.

This culminated in the “Fellows Retreats” that have been held since 2015. The first such retreat was held ………

In 2016, the second retreat was organized in Goa where a format for subsequent meetings was proposed as follows:

• Inauguration followed by an offbeat talk related to medicine or pathology.
• A keynote lecture by a Fellow on the subject of his or her academic work.
• A debate on a subject of topical interest
• A symposium on a subject of current interest.

The third retreat was held virtually during the pandemic at Bangalore in 2021.

These Retreats generally include an academic program wherein Fellows or invited Guests deliver lectures or discuss their research and advances in their fields of interest. The topics are wide ranging from education in Pathology, historical insights and other interesting aspects and not restricted to the practice of hard-core Pathology alone. The Retreat also includes social gatherings in rather relaxed settings of hill stations or beaches or places that attract tourists so that fellows and their spouses can know each other better and extend their friendships through such “fellowships”.

First ICP Fellows Retreat 2015

A CME-cum-Post-CME ICP Fellows Retreat was organised by the Department of Pathology, Govt Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh under the leadership of Prof Harsh Mohan on July 24-25, 2015.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. Y. K. Chawla, Director, PGI, Chandigarh in the august presence of Prof. M. K. Mohi, DRME-cum-Registrar, Punjab Medical Council, Prof. Kusum Joshi, Dean, ICP, Dr. Francisco Couto, Secretary, ICP, Prof. Atul Sachdev, Director Principal, Govt Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, Prof. R. K. Vashishta, Chairman North West chapter of IAPM and HOD Histopathology at PGI, Chandigarh, Prof. Uma Handa, Co-chairperson and Dr Anita Tahlan, Organising Secretary of this CME.

The theme of this CME was integrating the procedure room in clinical setup for collection of cytologic material or taking small biopsy, to laboratory handling of cytology and biopsy material, and then giving out a clinically relevant cytology or histopathology report. The first academic session on ‘Upper GI endoscopic material’ began with talk by Prof. Atul Sachdev on clinician’s perspectives and expectations, followed by discussion on ‘Processing of cytology material and gross handling of biopsy’ by Dr Ritambara Nada, PGI, Chandigarh and ‘An update on Celiac Disease’ by Prof. Siddhartha Datta Gupta, AIIMS, Delhi. These talks were followed by an educative cyto-histology slide seminar on upper GI material by Prof. Vatsala Mishra, Allahabad. The afternoon scientific session on Day 1 was devoted to “Bronchoscopic material’. Dr Navneet Singh, PGI, Chandigarh discussed the clinical perspectives of this subject that was followed a talk by Prof. Sunita Singh, PGIMS, Rohtak on ‘Processing and handling of Bronchoscopic biopsy/cytology material’, and a talk on ‘Newer developments in lung cancer’ by Prof. R. K. Vashishta. The day ended with an enlightening slide seminar on bronchoscopic material by Prof. Ashim Das, PGI, Chandigarh.

In the evening, the Resident doctors and Alumni of Govt Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh presented a colourful and highly entertaining cultural program that was followed by a banquet.

The Scientific session on forenoon of Day 2 was devoted to discussion on ‘Lymph nodes’. Prof. S. Varma, PGI, Chandigarh outlined clinician’s viewpoint and expectations from the Pathologist. The talks that followed include one on processing and handling of lymph node biopsy/cytology material by Prof. S. Mathur, AIIMS, Delhi and two guest lectures on related topics: ‘Schematic approach to diagnosis of lymphomas as per WHO classification’ by Prof. Sumeet Gujral, TMH, Mumbai and on ‘Role of bone marrow biopsy in staging of lymphomas’ by Prof. Tejinder Singh, former Director and Head Pathology maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. The academic session ended with a slide seminar on lymph node lesions by Prof. Sumeet Gujral.

The academic sessions generated great interest and attracted over 300 registered delegates from various parts of the country.

In the afternoon of Day 2, thirty delegates and fellows who had registered for the post-CME Retreat proceeded to picturesque location of Timber Trail Hill Resort in Himachal Pradesh. The “Retreat” was an occasion for profuse interaction coupled with wholesome entertainment with music, song and dance, along with delicious food in the salubrious climate. The delegates enjoyed the overnight stay and on the following forenoon returned with fond memories.

Second ICP Fellows Retreat 2016

The 2^nd ICP Fellows CME and Retreat 2016 was held at the Hotel Fortune Accron Regina at Candolim, Goa, from 13^th to 15^th August 2016. Dr. Anita Borges was the Organizing Secretary. The event was a mix of academics, recreation and social interaction among Fellows. Thirty Fellows and their spouses participated in the unique event.

On 13^th August 2016, the academic sessions began at 7 pm with a short inauguration at which Dr. K. P. Deodhar was the Chief Guest. Dr. Anita Borges welcomed the delegates and described in brief the genesis and ethos behind the ICP Fellows Retreat. There was a brief address by the Dean ICP, Dr. D. N. Lanjewar. The Chief Guest Dr. K. P. Deodhar regaled the audience with his account of the history and development of the ICP over the years. This was followed by felicitation of IAPM Past Presidents; Dr. K. P. Deodhar, Dr. U. L. Wagholiker, Dr. Kusum Joshi and Dr. D. N. Lanjewar. An interesting and a highly appreciated lecture on the “History of Pathology through Stamps” was delivered by Dr. Anuradha Murthy. The day culminated with social interaction and entertainment.

On the morning of 14^th August 2016, the scientific sessions began with the Keynote Address by Dr. Usha Kini on “Gut Motility Disorders.” This was followed by a debate on “Autopsy Pathology should be dropped from MD Examination”. Dr. K. P. Aravindan spoke for and Dr. D. N. Lanjewar against the motion. This debate evoked great participation from the audience. The Debate was followed by a symposium moderated by Dr. Anita Borges on “Personalised Medicine in Oncology: Role of Theranostics” . The panellists of symposium were Dr. Reena Nair, Dr. Jay Mehta and Dr. Sumeet Gujral. All the scientific sessions were of high quality and thought provoking.

The remaining part of the day and the morning of the 15^th August were utilised for recreation and sightseeing.

The CME and Retreat was extremely well organized both academically and socially. The Secretary ICP thanked Dr. Anita Borges for single-handedly organizing such a splendid event.

Third ICP Fellows Retreat 2021

The 3^rd ICP Fellows Retreat was held “Virtually” in view of the circumstances during the COVID pandemic. This was organized under the aegis of Karnataka Chapter- Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists (KCIAPM) between 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm IST in the evening of Sunday, the 24^th January, 2021 on Cisco WebEx platform. Dr Usha Kini was the Organising Chairperson. The event was a unique get together bringing 55 of registered Fellows from India and North America. To make this event possible, a unique WhatsApp group “ICP Fellows Meet 2021” was created and all the Fellows were brought together into this unique group which is active and ongoing even today.

The academic session started with a Virtual lamp lighting ceremony followed by the welcome address by Dr Usha Kini. Dr Anita Borges briefed the gathering on the background of the ICP Fellows retreat and her inimitable style made this programme unique and interesting. This was followed by the address by the Dean of ICP, Dr. Bishan Radotra.

The brief inauguration was followed by a symposium on "Liquid Biopsy - Changing the way we manage cancer" by Dr Anurag Mehta and his team comprising of Dr Moushami S, Dr Amit Verma, Dr. Ulhas Batra and Dr.Nuzhat Husain.

A spirited debate between Dr Sandhya Sundaram who spoke for the motion and Dr Harsh Mohan who spoke against "Printed textbooks are becoming obsolete before they are published" followed the symposium. The session which was very well appreciated, was moderated by Dr Anita Borges. A pre and a post-debate poll, voted “against” the motion. Thus the audience felt that printed books are still relevant today.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. S. R. Shivayogi Bhusnurmath who spoke on "Vision for a digital platform for Pathology education in India" . The very apt and topical subject, was very well received.

The last session on the cold Sunday evening was an unconventional ‘Fireside Chat’ titled "All roads lead to Room 000" by Dr Kalpana Swaminathan and Dr. Ishrat Syed, Paediatric Surgeons. They are the authors of the book “Room 000: Narratives of the Bombay Plague”, published under the name Kalpish Ratna (an amalgam of their names). This session held the audience spell-bound and brought back memories of the Bombay plague of 1896 through an unique style of narration of those moments in the landmark of medical history of India. This session actually had great relevance to the ongoing COVID pandemic.

The concluding session moderated by Dr. D N Lanjewar provided a platform for all delegates to reconnect, share ideas and reminiscence the past.

The programme concluded around 10:00 PM with the hope that all could meet in person sometime very soon.

Overall, these interactive online sessions were thought provoking, brought in active participation by all Fellows and the speakers. The sessions were moderated by senior Fellows and were well received. Being an online event, many could participate with ease from the comfort of their homes on a Sunday evening.