Sixto M. Leal Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Jay M. McDonald Endowed Professor in Experimental Pathology and Division Director, Laboratory Medicine, has been appointed to the American Board of Pathology's (ABPath) Test Development and Advisory Committee (TDAC) for Medical Microbiology beginning in 2025. The TDACs are responsible for developing and reviewing the ABPath certification exam questions that assess and certify a physician's education, knowledge, experience and skills in order to provide high-quality care in the profession of pathology.

According to ABPath, to be appointed to a TDAC means a physician is an established subject matter expert in their subspecialty field and is current on the latest advances in the continually evolving field of pathology and patient care. TDAC committee members develop and review examination questions for statistical performance and relevance to current practice. They contribute to the validity of examinations by determining the content and distribution of items on examinations. The TDACs also advise the ABPath on issues in their subspecialty area of expertise. 

Since 1971, the ABPath has appointed test committees for each subspecialty in pathology. The committee consists of ABPath trustees and other pathologists or specialty physicians who are recognized experts in their respective disciplines. There are presently 14 ABPath TDACs.

The mission of the ABPath is to serve the public and advance the profession of pathology by setting certification standards and promoting lifelong competency of pathologists. Founded in 1936, the ABPath accomplishes this mission by establishing certification and continuing certification standards and assessing the qualifications of those seeking to obtain voluntary certification in the specialty of pathology.