Evolution of diversity and inclusion excellence within an academic pathology professional organization: historical perspective, progress, and a model for others

A diverse and inclusive environment is crucial to recruitment, retention, and success of academic departments, especially in pathology which is experiencing a declining workforce in the United States. The professional association for academic pathology departments, the Association for Academic Pathology (formerly the Association for Pathology Chairs), has evolved from its inception in 1967 as a department chair-centered organization to an inclusive organization that develops and serves all members of an academic pathology department, including non-chair faculty and staff. In 2012, diversity, equity, and inclusion became an intentional programmatic focus. In 2024, AAPath adopted a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. This manuscript describes the organization's reflection on its history, commitment and progress toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to learn, improve, and serve as an example to others. The authors conducted a Google search to identify political and social contextual events. Fourteen chairs were interviewed regarding the Association of Academic Pathology's diversity, equity, and inclusion history and members' experience. Findings were evaluated within established stages of diversity, equity, and inclusion maturity. The Association of Academic Pathology's diversity, equity, and inclusion progress followed national awareness and progress toward a more equitable and inclusive society. Progress was slow in the Association of Academic Pathology's first 50 years reflecting low numbers of women and racial and ethnic minorities in medicine. In the last 15 years with the establishment of the Leadership Development and Diversity Committee and intentional diversity, equity, and inclusion -related programming, diversity, equity, and inclusion has become integrated across the organization. The Association of Academic Pathology has made progress toward a mature and sustainable organizational culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and serves as a roadmap for other academic medical organizations.