HERSHEY, Pa. — Dr. Amyn M. Rojiani was honored with the 2024 College of American Pathologists (CAP) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes pathologists who have demonstrated leadership in academics, patient care, education, and research. The CAP presented Rojiani with the award during a ceremony at CAP24.
Rojiani, the chair of the Department of Pathology at Penn State College of Medicine, has been associated with CAP for three decades. The CAP is the world’s largest organization of pathologists and trainees, fostering and advocating excellence in pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. Rojiani has served as chair of the Georgia delegation to the CAP House of Delegates for six years and as a member of CAP’s graduate medical education, neuropathology and autopsy committees. He has also served as faculty, delivering multiple workshops at its annual meetings.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition for doing things that have been my passion and have brought me so much satisfaction. Watching and contributing to the next generation of pathologists develop into leaders has truly been the highlight of my academic career,” said Rojiani.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rojiani particularly recognizing his significant contributions and excellence in teaching, mentoring and leading the next generation of pathologists. Rojiani has demonstrated his commitment to students and the future of pathology through his efforts in program and faculty development, mentorship, teaching, and the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. He is also the recipient of multiple teaching awards for his dedication to medical student and resident education programs.
“Training the next generation of physicians is a calling that requires a commitment to educational excellence, and Dr. Rojiani exemplifies that,” said Dr. Erica Friedman, vice dean for educational affairs at the College of Medicine. “Our students are privileged to benefit from his expertise as a pathologist and in training future physician leaders.”
In addition to the CAP Lifetime Achievement Award, Rojiani is the first pathologist nationwide to be named a distinguished fellow by the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL). The AAPL is a national organization for all specialties of physician leaders. AAPL Distinguished Fellows are named based on their commitment to physician leadership and engagement and their significant contributions to preparing learning physicians to be effective leaders. There are only 55 AAPL Distinguished Fellows nationwide.
Rojiani's work is widely published, with more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, invited reviews and book chapters. His research interests over the years have included demyelination, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular targeting agents, neuro-oncology, and matrix interactions in lung cancer. He is the associate editor of the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, has served as a guest editor for Cancers, and has also served on several editorial boards.
Rojiani also serves on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Pathologists and the Association of Academic Pathology’s executive council and chairs its leadership development and diversity committee.