03/12/2026
The American Osteopathic College of Pathologists The American Osteopathic College of Pathologists
We are excited to share a preview of a few of our invited speakers for the April17-18, 2026 conference to be held in Chicago, IL.
Paleopathology: Lessons From the Past
John Kasimos, DO
Interesting Cases in GI Pathology 2026
Laura Michael, DO
Applications of Bioethics in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
John Kasimos, DO
Melanoma: Putting the Metastatic Stealth Back on the Therapeutic Radar
Luigi Strizzi, M.D., Ph.D.
Autopsy Education/Quality Improvement
Phil McMullen, MD, PHD
John N. Kasimos, D.O., is board-certified in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology and family medicine. He completed his residency training in all three areas at Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He earned his B.S. in Biology at Loyola University of Chicago and subsequently received his M.S. in Biology with specialization in Microbiology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He also holds a M.S. in Health Care Ethics from Creighton University. He received his D.O. degree from Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Kasimos has 34 years of experience as an Anatomic and Clinical Pathologist. He served as laboratory medical director at Franciscan Health-Olympia Fields for twelve years. He has served on numerous hospital committees, including the Medical Executive Committee and has also served on the Pathology Council for PCL Alverno Laboratories. Dr. Kasimos retired from clinical practice in 2023 but continues to serve as Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology, Midwestern University where he is extensively involved in the education and training of osteopathic medical students. He has received numerous recognitions as a medical educator, including the George W. Northup Educator of the Year Award from the National SOMA Foundation.
Luigi Strizzi, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor of Pathology at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL where he teaches systemic human pathology to students enrolled in the Osteopathic Medicine, Dental Medicine and Optometry Programs. Dr. Strizzi received his from D’Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy. Dr. Strizzi is a member of numerous scientific organizations including the American Society for Investigative Pathology, American Society of Clinical Pathology, American Association for Cancer Research and European Society of Pathology. With over 30 years combined experience in academia and research, Dr. Strizzi has accumulated over 100 scientific publications in areas that include pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma. His current research focuses on the effects of the metastatic microenvironment on melanoma growth.
Phil McMullen, MD, PHD
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Associate Professor, Department of Pathology Loyola University Medical Center
EDUCATION Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP/MD, PhD) University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
POST-DOCTORAL TRAINING
Fellow, Thoracic and Surgical Pathology University of Chicago Medical Center
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency University of Chicago Medical Center
Laura Michael, DO, is an AOCP board member since 2004, currently president-elect, 2025-2026 and past president 2008-2010, 2014-2015 and 2020-2021. She presents at every AOCP conference, speaking on GI Pathology. She is a GI Pathologists who trained at the University of Florida and the first fellow of Dr. Gregory Lauwers, who is now at Moffitt Cancer Centre, after many years at Massachusetts General and Harvard University
After residency, Dr. Michael spent over five years at Citrus Memorial Hospital as a staff pathologists before accepting the Medical Directorship of Gastrocor, Florida position at Bostwick Laboratories.
Ten years later, she moved to Alpharetta Georgia to a GI Pathology laboratory, Endochoice, which became Boston Scientific a few years later. After seven years, Boston Scientific became Vizia Diagnostics. Dr. Michael is currently with Vizia Diagnostics as the Medical Director. She is a fellow of the College of American Pathologists, Gastrointestinal Pathology Society member and Board certified American Osteopathic Board of Pathology and American Board of Pathology
Visit us at http://www.aocpath.org for more information. We continue to update content.
The American Osteopathic College of Pathologists
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