The other day I noted the formation of AFIP Labs, as a "replacement" for the AFIP's lab services. So it turns out reports of the death of the AFIP were greatly exaggerated, and the Washington Post notes Pathology Institute Defends Its Turf:
Despite the institute's renown, the Pentagon announced plans four years ago to shut it down as part of the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2011 because of the federal base-closing program.
A private company revealed plans this month to fill the "critical void" left by the institute's closing. A news release Aug. 7 announced the formation of "AFIP Laboratories," made up of staff from "the soon-to-be-closed Armed Forces Institute of Pathology."
Company officials say they are hiring more than two dozen civilian pathologists from the institute. The company has leased space in Silver Spring, three miles from Walter Reed, and is set to begin operations on Sept. 8.
But the military institute insists that reports of its demise are exaggerated.
Last Monday, the private company, a division of Bostwick Laboratories, received a letter from the Defense Department requesting that it cease using the AFIP name. On Thursday, the company agreed, changing its name to "AIP Laboratories."
In addition, the military institute placed a scrolling notice on its Web site last week denying that the institute will be closing soon and will not be taking new cases.
Wow, interesting. AFIP vs AIPL, old vs new. Stay tuned for more!
(PS I updated the logo in my previous post, and am using the correct AFIP logo here :)