Roger Bertholf, PhD, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, says it’s an honor and privilege to be recognized for something he’s extremely passionate about.
Bertholf is the winner of this year’s President’s Award from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. ASCP is the world’s largest professional organization for pathologists and clinical laboratory professionals. Bertholf is among the society’s more than 100,000 members.
The President’s Award is given to members who go above and beyond as volunteers and have provided significant contributions to the society. Among his activities, Bertholf is editor of Lab Medicine, a scientific journal that has become one of the most respected biomedical publications in the country. He’s held that position since 2012.
“Through your leadership in the society, you have made immeasurable contributions to the profession of pathology and laboratory medicine,” ASCP President Steven Kroft, MD, told Bertholf. “As editor-in-chief of Lab Medicine, the guidance you provided in the redesign of the journal and subsequent achievement of MEDLINE indexing from the National Library of Science was a major undertaking.”
In addition to his contributions to one of his field’s core scientific journals, Bertholf has served as director of nearly 40 of the ASCP’s professional education courses.
Bertholf said his passion for pathology goes back to when he was first exposed to laboratory medicine as a graduate student of analytical chemistry. He was then introduced to clinical laboratory practice and later completed doctorate studies that focused on aluminum toxicology.
“Somewhere along that journey, I was captivated by the applications of biochemical laboratory methods to medicine. I knew it was the career I wanted to pursue,” said Bertholf, who specializes in clinical chemistry and toxicology – a discipline in which he is board-certified.
“That spark of enthusiasm has never faded,” he said. “It remains the reason I love what I do.”
Bertholf joined UF in 1988 as an assistant professor of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine on the Gainesville campus. After being promoted to tenured associate professor in 1994, he transferred to the Jacksonville campus, where he became director of clinical chemistry and toxicology. He was promoted to professor in 2008.
Bertholf will receive the ASCP President’s Award on Thursday, Oct. 9, during a special presentation in Tampa.