Pathology on the Beach Celebrates 50 Years of Diagnostic Education and Innovation
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine marks the 50th anniversary of its nationally recognized Pathology on the Beach conference, highlighting advances in diagnostic pathology, artificial intelligence and medical education leadership.
For five decades, Pathology on the Beach has offered a rigorous, high‑level educational experience set within a relaxed, collegial environment. The event intentionally fosters mentorship, collaboration and professional renewal.
This year, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine celebrated the conference’s 50th anniversary. What began as a small, innovative retreat has grown into a nationally recognized conference known for blending practical diagnostic education with forward‑looking discussions of emerging technologies.
A Nationally Recognized Pathology Conference Reaches a Milestone
Since its founding, Pathology on the Beach has distinguished itself by prioritizing practical, case‑based learning in an environment that encourages open discussion and connection. The 50th‑year gathering captured that spirit, bringing together longtime attendees and new participants to reflect on how the field has evolved.
Carmen Gomez, M.D., professor pathology and laboratory medicine and director of head and neck pathology at the Miller School, has served as course director for the past 12 years. She said the anniversary program remained true to the conference’s founding principles.
“In true Pathology on the Beach fashion, the meeting balanced rigorous academic content with the relaxed, collegial atmosphere that has defined it for half a century,” Dr. Gomez said. “This type of conference really reminds you why you love the field.”
Honoring 50 Years of Leadership in Pathology Education
The anniversary celebration also recognized individuals whose leadership has shaped Pathology on the Beach over five decades.
Azorides Morales, M.D., professor emeritus and former pathology and laboratory medicine department chair, received the Founder’s Legacy Award for his visionary role in establishing the conference.
Mehrdad Nadji, M.D., professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the Miller School, received the Scientific Leadership and Vision Award for his exceptional guidance of the meeting over 50 years.
Parvin Ganjei‑Azar, M.D., was posthumously recognized with the Enduring Legacy in Pathology Education Award for her leadership, mentorship and lifelong commitment to pathology education.
Expert Faculty Highlight Advances Across Key Pathology Subspecialties
The conference featured expert‑led lectures by Miller School faculty alongside nationally and internationally recognized guest speakers. Educational sessions spanned gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic, breast and hematopathology, with a special focus on practical diagnostic challenges.
A dedicated session on intraoperative consultations covering bone and soft tissue, head and neck and neuropathology was a highlight of the meeting, offering attendees real‑world strategies they could apply in practice.
Invited guest speakers included:
• Stuart Schnitt, M.D., chief of oncologic pathology at Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Maria Lozano, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally recognized cytopathologist from the University of Navarra in Spain
• John Goldblum, M.D., chair of pathology at the Cleveland Clinic and a leading authority in gastrointestinal and soft tissue pathology
As pathology continues to evolve, updates in molecular diagnostics, digital pathology and artificial intelligence were central themes throughout the conference. Eric Glassy, M.D., the College of American Pathologists’ 2025 Pathologist of the Year, explored the growing interaction between artificial intelligence and digital pathology and its implications for diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.
Dibson Dibe Gondim, M.D., from the University of Louisville, presented emerging applications of artificial intelligence in renal neoplasm classification.
Hands‑On Training Introduces Innovation in Fine Needle Aspiration
Roberto Ruiz‑Cordero, M.D., associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and chief of molecular and genomics pathology at the Miller School, joined Eduardo Alcaraz‑Mateos, M.D., from Morales Meseguer University Hospital in Murcia, Spain, to lead a new, hands‑on workshop focused on fine needle aspiration techniques. The pair discussed a novel training simulator designed to teach best practices for obtaining high‑quality aspirate samples.
Attendees praised the workshop for its practical value and its innovative approach to skills‑based pathology education.
A Premier Destination for Pathology Learning and Professional Renewal
Many attendees described the 50th‑year gathering as especially energized, noting the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, mentors and longtime participants who have shaped the conference’s history.
For Merce Jorda, M.D., professor and J.R. Coulter Chair of pathology and laboratory medicine, the milestone underscored the conference’s lasting impact.
“With the celebration of this landmark anniversary,” Dr. Jorda said, “the event reaffirmed its role as a premier destination for learning, collaboration and professional renewal within the pathology community.”
More from our Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program
For 50 years, the University of Miami’s Pathology on the Beach has advanced diagnostic pathology education.
Molecular genetic pathology fellow Hisham Bahmad, M.D., has been named a 2025 40 Under Forty honoree by the ASCP.
Dr. Carmen Gomez-Fernandez was recognized by the College of American Pathologists for her immense contributions to pathology.
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine residents won Florida Society of Pathologists “Resident Jeopardy” for the second consecutive year.
Tags: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, Dr. Merce Jorda, pathology