President's Welcome

Dear Colleagues, Patients, and Friends,

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic the critical importance of molecular testing continues to be demonstrated to a global audience, but our work persists. As we adjust to the “new normal” of life amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, testing remains one of the greatest tools available for combating the pandemic’s spread.

AMP members advance patient care every day in inherited conditions, infectious diseases, informatics, and cancers. We serve as an essential partner in precision medicine efforts that are improving outcomes for patients. Our members in 57 countries have risen to the challenge of adding COVID-19 testing to their laboratories, in addition to their other (growing) responsibilities. Nevertheless, ongoing reimbursement issues, supply chain constraints and staffing shortages have made recent years incredibly challenging for our community. Through education, advocacy and representation, our members continue to lead molecular diagnostics forward. I am in awe of what our members have accomplished through the sharing of expertise and resources, and I endeavor to serve AMP members with the same level dedication that they serve patients.

AMP is recognized for its unmatched expertise in all aspects of molecular diagnostics. For nearly 30 years, we’ve advanced the field through education, clinical practice, and advocacy. For laboratory professionals who are new to our community or hoping to return to the field, I encourage you to take advantage of our broad range of educational offerings, including annual meeting content, webinars and in-depth courses. You may also benefit from reading our freely available practice guidelines in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics (JMD), the highest rated journal in its field. To help patients understand the role molecular professionals have, AMP launched “Molecular Medicine for Patients,” comprised of educational resources that are created with input from the patient community.

Our community’s expertise and capabilities are needed now more than ever. We also need one another to capture the many innovations, to address the many healthcare challenges, and to monitor changes in regulatory and reimbursement policies. AMP is pleased to now offer free Associate Membership for trainees for the duration of their training (up to 7 years).  I encourage you to share this information with your colleagues, students, residents, and fellows. If you are a molecular professional but not yet a member, I encourage you to join us and experience all that AMP has to offer!

Sincerely,

Laura J. Tafe, MD 
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Association for Molecular Pathology 2023 President