E. Blair Holladay, PhD, SCT(ASCP)CM, has been named the new executive vice president (EVP) of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), effective July 1, 2010, ASCP President Mark H. Stoler, MD, FASCP, announced today.

Dr. Holladay currently serves ASCP in three positions: Executive Director of the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC); ASCP Vice President for Scientific Activities; and Acting Director of the ASCP Institute for Global Outreach. He will succeed John R. Ball, MD, JD, FASCP, who will retire this year after serving eight years in the top staff leadership position.

The ASCP Board of Directors established a search committee in July 2009. The committee conducted a nationwide search and on April 9, 2010, submitted its unanimous choice of candidate to the Board of Directors. The Board concurred with the committee's recommendation and unanimously selected Dr. Holladay as the new ASCP EVP.

"Dr. Holladay was chosen for his depth and breadth of knowledge of our discipline, his professional demeanor, his infectious energy and enthusiasm, and his demonstrated professionalism and leadership," Dr. Stoler said. "These are the qualities needed to help us all transition the ASCP and our entire profession to a higher level of practice and patient centricity."

"As a scientist, I look forward to this opportunity to bring progressive, cutting-edge science to all of the products and services at ASCP," Dr. Holladay said.

A native of North Augusta, SC, Dr. Holladay, 47, earned a bachelor of arts in biology from the College of Charleston, a bachelor of science in cytotechnology from MUSC, a master's degree in allied medicine and a doctorate in pathology from The Ohio State University. In July 2009 he completed the Executive Certificate Program in Management and Leadership at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

Before coming to ASCP, Dr. Holladay served as Chief Director for the MUSC Center for Cytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics. His scientific research work focuses in the areas of cytopathology, molecular research, clinical trials, novel methods for determining the standard of care in cancer cytopathology and improvement of laboratory administration. Funded as a principal investigator for 50 scientific research grants and over 100 scientific corporate contracts, Dr. Holladay has also published 50 research articles within the profession. In addition, he is the author of the Cytopathology Review Guide (3rd Edition) and co-editor of the ASCP Board of Certification Study Guide for the Clinical Laboratory Certification Examinations (5th Edition), both published by ASCP Press.

Founded in 1922, the American Society for Clinical Pathology is a professional society with 130,000 member pathologists, pathologists' assistants, residents, certified laboratory professionals, clinical scientists, and students. ASCP provides excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals.