In July, the American College of Microbiology  (College) welcomed three new leaders to its  Board. Peter Gilligan, D(ABMM), F(AAM), was  elected Dean of the College by the Fellows of the  American Academy of Microbiology (Academy).  Gilligan is Director, Clinical Microbiology-  Immunology Laboratories, and Director,  Phlebotomy Services, University of North Carolina  Hospitals, and Professor, Departments  of Microbiology-Immunology and Pathology-  Laboratory Medicine, University of North  Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. The  College oversees the ASM's certification and  accreditation programs.    

Gilligan brings a wealth of ASM knowledge  and experience to the Deanship. He has volunteered  his time to the Academy, the College, the  ASM Awards Program, the ICAAC Program  Committee, Division C, the Journal of Clinical  Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Reviews,  ASM Press, and the ASM Public and  Scientific Affairs Board. The College will meet in  November to develop a strategic plan to promote  Gilligan's vision-increased visibility for  the three certification boards, its certificants,  and CPEP, ASM's accreditation committee.    

Two of the certification boards welcomed  new chairs. Kimberle C. Chapin, D(ABMM) is  the new American Board of Medical Microbiology  (ABMM) chair, and Thomas S. Alexander,  D(ABMLI), is the chair of the American Board  of Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI).  Certified as an ABMM Diplomate since 1997,  Chapin is the Director, Microbiology Laboratory,  Lifespan Academic Medical Centers and  Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine,  The Warren Albert Brown Medical School,  Providence, R.I., Alexander is Scientific Director,  Clinical Immunology/Special Procedures  Laboratory and Director of Research, Summit  Pathology Associates, Summa Health System,  Akron, Ohio, and has been an ABMLI-certified  Diplomate since 1994. Chapin and Alexander  also bring vast experience to their Boards and  the College.    

Gilligan acknowledges the significant contributions  of those who have recently rotated off  the College Board-J. Michael Miller (Dean),  Barbara Detrick (ABMLI Board Chair), and  Mark LaRocco (ABMM Board Chair). "During  Miller's tenure, changes were made that had  been discussed for over 20 years. I attribute his  success to his diplomatic statemanship, keen  negotiation skills, and intense commitment. Detrick's  and LaRocco's terms are noted for their  successful transition of the exams from paperand-  pencil format to online administration. It is  because of their efforts, the College can now  begin to work on promotion, exposure, and  visibility."    

To learn more about the College, visit http://www.asm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17847&Itemid=627 and to learn about certification, visit http://www.asm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2105&Itemid=404.