Armed Forces Institute of Pathology continues operations as it faces closure

The Washington Post (8/17, Vogel) reports that the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) in Washington, slated to be closed as part of the 2011 shutdown of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, has taken public issue with a private firm's attempts to portray itself as the Institute's successor. After Bostwick Laboratories issued a news release announcing the creation of the private "AFIP Laboratories," which would be "made up of staff" recruited from the AFIP, the Defense Department asked the new firm to change its name. Still, AFIP insists it will continue accepting cases for consultation, and plans on hiring civilian pathologists to replace 25 who have accepted offers from Bostwick. Despite a 2005 decision as part of a military base closing review to close Walter Reed and AFIP, Congress in 2008 ordered the creation of a "Joint Pathology Center" to assume many of the AFIP's roles. Earlier this year, Congress mandated that no funds be used to shut AFIP until the Joint Pathology Center is established. Since the Center's location, funding and staffing are still not determined, AFIP remains "in a holding pattern," according to a spokesman.