11th Annual Dr. Richard L. Kempson Diagnostic Pathology Course 2026

Updates in GI, GYN, Endocrine, Head & Neck and Soft Tissue Lesions

July 13–16, 2026 | Fairmont Orchid, Big Island of Hawaii

Advance your diagnostic surgical pathology skills with the 11th Annual Dr. Richard L. Kempson Diagnostic Pathology Course 2026, presented by Scientific Symposiums International.

The four-day educational program was held July 13–16, 2026, at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Directed by Teri M. Longacre, MD, the program brings together expert faculty for practical diagnostic updates across:

• Gastrointestinal Pathology
• Gynecologic Pathology
• Endocrine / Thyroid Pathology
• Head and Neck Pathology
• Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology
• Surgical Pathology
• Molecular Classification
• Immunohistochemistry
• Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

The curriculum emphasizes practical diagnostic problems encountered by practicing pathologists, including difficult morphologic patterns, evolving classification systems, ancillary testing, molecular pathology, immunohistochemistry, post-treatment evaluation, and contemporary cancer-staging considerations.

Course Details

• Course: 11th Annual Dr. Richard L. Kempson Diagnostic Pathology Course
• Provider: Scientific Symposiums International
• Year: 2026
• Dates: July 13–16, 2026
• Duration: 4 Days
• Venue: Fairmont Orchid
• Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island of Hawaii
• Course Director: Teri M. Longacre, MD
• Faculty: Greg Charville, MD; Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD; Bruce M. Wenig, MD
• Lectures: 20
• Primary Specialty: Pathology
• Main Focus: Diagnostic / Surgical Pathology
• Official Activity: 20 CME Hours

Faculty

Teri M. Longacre, MD – Course Director

Stanford University Medical Center

Dr. Longacre leads the gynecologic pathology portion of the program, with lectures covering:

• Cervical, vaginal and vulvar dysplasia
• AH/EIN
• Uterine mesenchymal tumors
• Extrauterine serous neoplasia
• Endometrial carcinoma molecular classification

Greg Charville, MD

Stanford University Medical Center

Dr. Charville focuses on bone and soft tissue pathology, including:

• Vascular lesions
• Classification controversies
• Bone tumor immunohistochemistry
• Rhabdomyosarcoma and mimics
• Myxoid soft tissue tumors

Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Dr. Lauwers provides updates in gastrointestinal pathology, including:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• Gastritis
• Gastric cancer
• Colitis-associated dysplasia
• Colorectal cancer diagnosis and staging

Bruce M. Wenig, MD

Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Wenig covers head and neck and endocrine pathology, including:

• Upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma
• Sinonasal pathology
• Viral-associated head and neck cancer
• Salivary gland pathology
• Follicular-patterned thyroid lesions

Complete 20-Lecture Curriculum

1. What’s New in Cervical, Vaginal, Vulvar Dysplasia?

Faculty: Teri M. Longacre, MD

Reviews contemporary developments in the diagnosis and classification of:

• Cervical dysplasia
• Vaginal dysplasia
• Vulvar dysplasia

with attention to modern diagnostic criteria and practical pathology reporting.

2. Practical Approach to Vascular Lesions

Faculty: Greg Charville, MD

Provides a practical framework for evaluating vascular lesions encountered in surgical pathology.

Topics include:

• Morphologic pattern recognition
• Differential diagnosis
• Benign vs. malignant vascular lesions
• Ancillary testing
• Diagnostic pitfalls

3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract

Faculty: Bruce M. Wenig, MD

Reviews squamous neoplasia involving the upper aerodigestive tract.

Important areas include:

• Morphologic diagnosis
• Differential diagnosis
• Tumor classification
• Site-specific pathology
• Clinically relevant reporting

4. Barrett’s Esophagus and Dysplasia: Refining Our Diagnoses with Contemporary Tools

Faculty: Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD

Reviews diagnostic challenges involving:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• Low-grade dysplasia
• High-grade dysplasia
• Reactive changes
• Contemporary diagnostic tools

The session emphasizes improved reproducibility and diagnostic confidence.

Barrett’s Esophagus Pathology

Distinguishing reactive atypia from true dysplasia can be challenging.

Diagnostic assessment may require integration of:

Architecture + Cytology + Clinical Context + Ancillary Tools

Accurate classification has important implications for surveillance and treatment.

5. AH/EIN: Diagnosis & Post-Treatment Evaluation

Faculty: Teri M. Longacre, MD

Reviews:

Atypical Hyperplasia / Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia

with attention to:

• Diagnostic criteria
• Morphologic interpretation
• Differential diagnosis
• Post-treatment evaluation

AH/EIN

Correct diagnosis is important because AH/EIN represents a clinically significant precursor lesion associated with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

The pathologist must distinguish it from benign endometrial alterations and other proliferative abnormalities.

6. Gastritis: Beyond H. pylori and Recognizing the Overlooked Histologic Patterns

Faculty: Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD

Expands gastritis evaluation beyond conventional H. pylori-associated disease.

The session reviews:

• Histologic patterns
• Differential diagnosis
• Less obvious causes of gastritis
• Commonly overlooked findings
• Clinicopathologic correlation

7. What’s New in Uterine Mesenchymal Tumors?

Faculty: Teri M. Longacre, MD

Reviews evolving concepts in uterine mesenchymal neoplasia.

Topics include:

• Morphologic classification
• Differential diagnosis
• Molecular developments
• Updated terminology
• Diagnostic pitfalls

Uterine Mesenchymal Tumors

This is an increasingly molecularly informed area of gynecologic pathology.

Accurate classification may require integration of:

Morphology → Immunohistochemistry → Molecular Findings

rather than relying on morphology alone.

8. Sinonasal Tract Pathology

Faculty: Bruce M. Wenig, MD

Reviews diagnostically important lesions of the sinonasal tract.

This region can contain a wide variety of:

• Epithelial tumors
• Mesenchymal lesions
• Neuroectodermal tumors
• Inflammatory mimics

making structured differential diagnosis particularly important.

9. What’s in a Name? Classification Controversies in Soft Tissue Pathology

Faculty: Greg Charville, MD

Examines evolving terminology and classification issues in soft tissue pathology.

The session highlights how changing classifications can affect:

• Diagnosis
• Reporting
• Communication
• Clinical interpretation

Soft Tissue Tumor Classification

Modern soft tissue pathology increasingly integrates:

• Histomorphology
• Immunophenotype
• Molecular alterations
• Clinical context

The course helps pathologists navigate situations where historical terminology and contemporary classification may differ.

10. Sporadic Gastric Cancer: An Integrated Approach to Morphologic Assessment, Molecular Classification and Practice Guidelines

Faculty: Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD

Provides a contemporary framework for gastric carcinoma using:

• Morphology
• Molecular classification
• Ancillary testing
• Practice guidelines

Gastric Cancer Pathology

Modern gastric cancer assessment extends beyond histologic diagnosis.

Pathology reporting may increasingly require integration of:

Tumor Type + Stage + Biomarkers + Molecular Features

to support contemporary oncologic management.

11. Applications of Immunohistochemistry in Bone Tumor Pathology

Faculty: Greg Charville, MD

Reviews practical use of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in bone tumor diagnosis.

The session focuses on choosing ancillary stains that meaningfully narrow the differential diagnosis.

IHC in Bone Tumors

Immunohistochemistry should generally be used as part of a diagnostic strategy rather than as an isolated substitute for morphology.

A useful approach is:

Clinical/Radiologic Context → Morphology → Focused Differential → Targeted IHC

12. Viral-Associated Cancers of the Head and Neck

Faculty: Bruce M. Wenig, MD

Reviews important viral-associated malignancies of the head and neck.

Relevant concepts include:

• Viral oncogenesis
• Tumor classification
• Morphologic patterns
• Ancillary testing
• Diagnostic reporting

Viral-Associated Head & Neck Cancer

Recognition of viral-associated tumors has increasingly important implications for:

• Classification
• Prognosis
• Staging
• Clinical management

depending on tumor type and site.

13. Colitis-Associated Dysplasia: A Contemporary Diagnostic Update

Faculty: Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD

Reviews dysplasia arising in the setting of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Topics include:

• Dysplasia recognition
• Morphologic patterns
• Differential diagnosis
• Contemporary terminology
• Reporting considerations

Colitis-Associated Dysplasia

Inflammation and regenerative atypia can complicate histologic interpretation.

The pathologist must distinguish:

Inflammatory / Regenerative Change

from:

True Neoplastic Dysplasia

within the appropriate clinical context.

14. What’s New in Extrauterine Serous Neoplasia?

Faculty: Teri M. Longacre, MD

Reviews evolving concepts in serous neoplasia outside the uterus.

Relevant areas include:

• Tubal disease
• Ovarian disease
• Peritoneal disease
• Precursor lesions
• Classification
• Diagnostic criteria

15. Muscling Up on Rhabdomyosarcoma and Its Mimics

Faculty: Greg Charville, MD

Reviews rhabdomyosarcoma and important diagnostic mimics.

The session emphasizes:

• Morphology
• Differential diagnosis
• Immunohistochemistry
• Classification
• Avoidance of diagnostic traps

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Correct classification of suspected skeletal-muscle differentiation requires integration of morphology and appropriate ancillary testing.

This is particularly important when other tumors mimic rhabdomyoblastic differentiation.

16. Salivary Gland Pathology

Faculty: Bruce M. Wenig, MD

Provides a practical review of diagnostically challenging salivary gland lesions.

Topics may involve:

• Pattern recognition
• Benign vs. malignant lesions
• Tumor classification
• Differential diagnosis
• Ancillary testing

Salivary Gland Tumors

Salivary gland pathology is especially challenging because many tumors demonstrate overlapping:

• Architecture
• Cell types
• Cytologic features

Accurate diagnosis often depends on recognizing characteristic combinations of findings.

17. The Persistent Hurdles in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

Faculty: Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD

Reviews ongoing diagnostic and staging challenges in colorectal carcinoma.

Important areas include:

• Histologic diagnosis
• Invasion
• Tumor staging
• Pathologic reporting
• Difficult or controversial scenarios

Colorectal Cancer Staging

Accurate staging requires careful assessment of features that influence:

• Pathologic stage
• Prognosis
• Subsequent treatment planning

The session focuses on areas that continue to create diagnostic difficulty in routine practice.

18. Endometrial Carcinoma: Navigating the Molecular Classification

Faculty: Teri M. Longacre, MD

Reviews the modern molecular framework used in endometrial carcinoma classification.

This represents an important transition from pathology based primarily on morphology toward:

Morphology + Molecular Classification

Molecular Classification of Endometrial Carcinoma

Contemporary classification can provide information relevant to:

• Diagnostic categorization
• Prognostic stratification
• Clinical management

The course helps pathologists integrate molecular results with conventional histopathology.

19. Making Sense of Myxoid Soft Tissue Tumors

Faculty: Greg Charville, MD

Reviews the broad differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors with prominent myxoid morphology.

Myxoid Tumor Differential Diagnosis

Myxoid change occurs in multiple benign and malignant entities.

A structured approach may incorporate:

• Tumor location
• Age
• Architecture
• Cytology
• Vascular pattern
• Immunohistochemistry
• Molecular findings

20. Follicular-Patterned Thyroid Lesions

Faculty: Bruce M. Wenig, MD

Reviews one of the most challenging recurring patterns in endocrine pathology:

Follicular-patterned thyroid lesions

The differential can contain benign, borderline and malignant entities requiring careful morphologic assessment.

Thyroid Pathology

A practical diagnostic approach considers:

• Architecture
• Nuclear features
• Encapsulation
• Capsular invasion
• Vascular invasion
• Relevant ancillary information

The session helps refine diagnostic reasoning for lesions sharing a follicular growth pattern.

GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

The GI portion includes:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• Esophageal dysplasia
• Gastritis
• H. pylori and non-H. pylori gastritis
• Sporadic gastric carcinoma
• Molecular gastric cancer classification
• Colitis-associated dysplasia
• Colorectal carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer staging

GYNECOLOGIC PATHOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

The GYN portion includes:

• Cervical dysplasia
• Vaginal dysplasia
• Vulvar dysplasia
• AH/EIN
• Endometrial precursor lesions
• Uterine mesenchymal tumors
• Extrauterine serous neoplasia
• Endometrial carcinoma
• Molecular endometrial classification

HEAD & NECK / ENDOCRINE PATHOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

The curriculum includes:

• Upper aerodigestive tract SCC
• Sinonasal tract pathology
• Viral-associated cancers
• Salivary gland pathology
• Follicular-patterned thyroid lesions

BONE & SOFT TISSUE PATHOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

Topics include:

• Vascular lesions
• Soft tissue classification controversies
• Bone tumor immunohistochemistry
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma mimics
• Myxoid soft tissue tumors

Morphology + Ancillary Testing

A central theme throughout this pathology course is integrating traditional morphology with newer diagnostic tools.

A contemporary workflow can be summarized as:

Clinical Context → Morphology → Differential Diagnosis → Focused IHC / Molecular Testing → Classification → Reporting

Immunohistochemistry

IHC remains essential in many areas covered by the program, particularly:

• Bone tumors
• Soft tissue tumors
• Head and neck tumors
• Gynecologic lesions

The educational emphasis is on targeted use rather than indiscriminate stain panels.

Molecular Pathology

Molecular classification is increasingly relevant to:

• Endometrial carcinoma
• Gastric carcinoma
• Soft tissue tumors
• Selected head and neck neoplasms

The program helps connect new molecular categories with day-to-day diagnostic practice.

Cancer Staging & Reporting

Pathology reports increasingly contain information with direct implications for:

• Tumor staging
• Prognosis
• Treatment
• Multidisciplinary decision-making

The course therefore emphasizes clinically meaningful diagnosis rather than pattern recognition alone.

Major Topics Covered

• Diagnostic Pathology
• Surgical Pathology
• Gastrointestinal Pathology
• Gynecologic Pathology
• Endocrine Pathology
• Head and Neck Pathology
• Bone Pathology
• Soft Tissue Pathology
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Barrett’s Dysplasia
• Gastritis
• Gastric Cancer
• Colitis-Associated Dysplasia
• Colorectal Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer Staging
• Cervical Dysplasia
• Vaginal Dysplasia
• Vulvar Dysplasia
• AH/EIN
• Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia
• Uterine Mesenchymal Tumors
• Extrauterine Serous Neoplasia
• Endometrial Carcinoma
• Molecular Classification
• Sinonasal Pathology
• Upper Aerodigestive Tract SCC
• Viral-Associated Head & Neck Cancer
• Salivary Gland Pathology
• Thyroid Pathology
• Follicular-Patterned Thyroid Lesions
• Vascular Tumors
• Bone Tumor IHC
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Myxoid Soft Tissue Tumors
• Immunohistochemistry
• Molecular Pathology

Who Should Take This Course?

The program is primarily designed for:

• Practicing Pathologists
• Surgical Pathologists
• Anatomic Pathologists
• Pathology Residents
• Pathology Fellows
• Physician Assistants involved in pathology practice

The subject matter is also highly relevant to multidisciplinary specialists who work closely with pathology, including:

• Gastroenterologists
• Gynecologic Oncologists
• Gynecologists
• Endocrinologists
• Otolaryngologists / Head & Neck Surgeons
• Oncologists
• Surgeons involved in cancer care

However, the course should primarily be marketed as a diagnostic pathology course, rather than a clinical management course for these specialties.

Why This Course Is Useful

The 11th Annual Dr. Richard L. Kempson Diagnostic Pathology Course 2026 provides concentrated updates across several of the most challenging areas of surgical pathology.

Learners can review:

• Contemporary dysplasia criteria
• GI neoplasia
• Gynecologic precursor lesions
• Molecular endometrial classification
• Gastric cancer classification
• Head and neck malignancies
• Salivary gland disease
• Thyroid lesions
• Bone tumor IHC
• Soft tissue classification
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Myxoid tumors
• Colorectal cancer staging

Its principal strength is the integration of:

Morphology + Immunohistochemistry + Molecular Pathology + Classification + Staging

into practical diagnostic decision-making.

Original Course Accreditation

The official Scientific Symposiums International course was listed for:

20 CME Hours

These credits apply to eligible participation in the original Scientific Symposiums International CME activity and its applicable completion requirements.

Do not state that an independently distributed MedicalAmboss product includes official CME credit unless that eligibility is specifically confirmed for the buyer.

Product Summary

• Product: 11th Annual Dr. Richard L. Kempson Diagnostic Pathology Course
• Provider: Scientific Symposiums International
• Year: 2026
• Dates: July 13–16, 2026
• Venue: Fairmont Orchid
• Location: Big Island of Hawaii
• Course Director: Teri M. Longacre, MD
• Faculty: Greg Charville, Gregory Y. Lauwers, Bruce M. Wenig
• Lectures: 20
• Original CME Activity: 20 Hours
• Primary Specialty: Pathology

4. Short Description

Scientific Symposiums International 11th Annual Dr. Richard L. Kempson Diagnostic Pathology Course 2026 provides 20 expert lectures covering practical updates in gastrointestinal, gynecologic, endocrine, head and neck, bone, and soft tissue pathology.

Topics include Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia, gastritis, gastric cancer, colitis-associated dysplasia, colorectal cancer staging, cervical/vaginal/vulvar dysplasia, AH/EIN, uterine mesenchymal tumors, endometrial carcinoma molecular classification, sinonasal pathology, viral-associated head and neck cancer, salivary gland pathology, follicular-patterned thyroid lesions, vascular lesions, bone tumor immunohistochemistry, rhabdomyosarcoma, and myxoid soft tissue tumors.

+ Topics:

1.   What’s New in Cervical, Vaginal, Vulvar Dysplasia? (Teri Longacre M.D.)
2.   Practical Approach to Vascular Lesions (Greg Charville M.D.)
3.   Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract (Bruce Wenig M.D.)
4.   Barrett’s Esophagus and Dysplasia: Refining Our Diagnoses with Contemporary Tools (Gregory Lauwers M.D.)
5.   AH/EIN: Diagnosis & Post Treatment Evaluation (Teri Longacre M.D.)
6.   Gastritis: Beyond H. Pylori and Recognizing the Overlooked Histologic Patterns (Gregory Lauwers M.D.)
7.   What’s New In Uterine Mesenchymal Tumors? (Teri Longacre M.D.)
8.   Sinonasal Tract Pathology (Bruce Wenig M.D.)
9.   What’s in a Name? Classification Controversies in Soft Tissue Pathology (Greg Charville M.D.)
10.   Sporadic Gastric Cancer: An Integrated Approach to Morphologic Assessment, Molecular Classification and Practice Guidelines (Gregory Lauwers M.D.)
11.   Applications of Immunohistochemistry in Bone Tumor Pathology (Greg Charville M.D.)
12.   Viral-Associated Cancers of the Head and Neck (Bruce Wenig M.D.)
13.   Colitis-Associated Dysplasia: A Contemporary Diagnostic Update (Gregory Lauwers M.D.)
14.   What’s New in Extrauterine Serous Neoplasia? (Teri Longacre M.D.)
15.   Muscling Up on Rhabdomyosarcoma and Its Mimics (Greg Charville M.D.)
16.   Salivary Gland Pathology (Bruce Wenig M.D.)
17.   The Persistent Hurdles in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Staging (Gregory Lauwers M.D.)
18.   Endometrial Carcinoma: Navigating the Molecular Classification (Teri Longacre M.D.)
19.   Making Sense of Myxoid Soft Tissue Tumors (Greg Charville M.D.)
20.   Follicular-Patterned Thyroid Lesions (Bruce Wenig M.D.)