The Illinois Registry of Anatomic Pathology
History & Purpose
The Illinois Registry of Pathology (IRAP) was originally conceived by Dr. Israel Davidsohn and Dr. Paul B. Szanto in 1965 as a common meeting ground to share interesting pathology case material. Dr. Szanto served as the first Registrar from 1965 until his death in 1988. Dr. John Gruhn was appointed Registrar in 1989, and served until his death in 1997. Dr. Michael Pins is the current Registrar. Meetings were originally held in the amphitheater of the Cook County Hospital. They were subsequently moved to the auditorium of the Hektoen Institute and were conducted there until 1989, at which time they were moved to the conference room of the Medical Examiner's Office of Cook County, the venue which persist at this time.
Meetings of the Registry occur at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month. Meetings are usually conducted by the staff of major teaching hospitals in the Chicago area. Six to eight cases are presented, and case histories and glass slides are distributed by mail to members of the Registry in advance of the meeting. After a synopsis of each case, and before the diagnosis is revealed, the Registrar usually polls the audience for diagnostic opinions. The case in then discussed in detail by the presenting pathologist, who is often a senior resident. Bibliographies are distributed after the meeting.