The 1st Joint Meeting of Croatian Societies for Pathology and Clinical Cytology 1st PACIT
The 1st Joint Meeting of Croatian Societies for Pathology and Clinical Cytology took place from November 23 to 26, 2023. This inaugural joint congress of professional societies in pathology and cytology, also joined by histotechnologist societies, was held in Dubrovnik. With over 240 participants from pathology, cytology, and histotechnology societies, it was the largest meeting of its kind ever held in Croatia. Guest lecturers, including Ales Ryska and Andrzej Marszalek, provided an inspiring overview of current situations and perspectives in pathology, as well as state-of-the-art developments. Several joint sessions for pathologists and cytologists led to productive conclusions, including the establishment of national guidelines. The social program highlighted some of Dubrovnik’s rich cultural heritage.
The UZSM Earthquake Reconstruction
On July 12, 2024, after 16 months of intensive work and two weeks ahead of the contracted deadline, the reconstruction of the Institute of Pathology University of Zagreb School of Medicine was completed. During the renovation, all laboratories (Histology, EM, and Molecular with tissue culture), administration, teaching staff, and teaching facilities were temporarily relocated to either the campus or nearby locations. Remarkably, the staff quickly adapted to the improvised setup and even managed to expand their activities, achieving better results than before the disruption. The Institute of Pathology, dating back to 1922, covers around 6,000 m2 and includes a lecture hall (amphitheatre), two seminar rooms, a library, a macroscopy museum, and several laboratories, with its molecular pathology lab being the largest of its kind in Croatia.
The 5th International Renal Pathology Conference
The University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Croatia, hosted the 5th International Renal Pathology Conference in May 2023. The conference was organized by the Renal Pathology Society (RPS) in collaboration with the European Society of Pathology’s Nephropathology Working Group, the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, and the Nephropathology Working Group of the Croatian Society for Pathology and Forensic Medicine. It was held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and virtual participation via Zoom, and was attended by 370 participants from 62 countries worldwide. The program featured 27 invited speakers, all renowned international experts in kidney disease, covering areas such as renal pathology, pediatric and adult nephrology, rheumatology, and clinical genetics. Each day included a Clinicopathologic Conference, during which 17 interesting case reports were presented and discussed. There were also 61 poster presentations, with awards for the top three posters, as well as 19 bursaries for participants from low- and middle-income countries. We are honored that the conference went smoothly and exceeded expectations. Participants expressed great satisfaction with the program, organization, and hospitality, which is a source of pride for us.
The 22nd Meeting of the European Association for Haematopathology
The 22nd Meeting of the European Association for Haematopathology, organized biennially in association with the Society for Hematopathology (USA), took place in Dubrovnik,
Croatia, from September 21-26, 2024, marking its first occurrence in Central and Eastern Europe. The event gathered 864 participants from 62 countries. The meeting began with the Thymus Symposium, which provided updates on the WHO classification, molecular features, and therapeutic opportunities in thymomas, and was followed by an Educational Session on the practical application of molecular genetics in haematopathology. Subsequent sessions included the EBMWG (EU Bone Marrow Working Group) symposium and workshop, a two-day Lymphoma Symposium, and a two-day Lymphoma Workshop. Additionally, a special session was organized by young EA4HP members.