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                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.53

                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO
                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                      CONSULTANT PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC.

     The undersigned officer of CONSULTANT PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC., an Ohio
corporation for profit (the "Corporation"), does hereby certify that in a
writing signed by all of the directors and all of the shareholders who would be
entitled to a notice of a meeting held for such purpose, the following
amendments to the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation were adopted. This
amendment to the Articles of Incorporation is to be filed under Ohio Revised
Code Section 1785.01 et. seq. for a professional corporation.

     RESOLVED, that the following amendment is hereby adopted;

     FIRST:    Article 1. of the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation is
               hereby amended in its entirety as follows:

               The name of the corporation is: AMERIPATH YOUNGSTOWN, INC.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer, acting for and on behalf of
the Corporation has hereunto subscribed his name this 30th day of September,
1998.


                                           By: /s/ Robert P. Wynn
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Robert P. Wynn, Vice President

[SEAL]

                                                                   RECEIVED

                                                                 OCT 06 1998

                                                                   BOB TAFT
                                                              SECRETARY OF STATE

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[LOGO]
                                                                         #948971

Prescribed by                                          Approved RB
Bob Taft, Secretary of State                           Date 7/17/96
30 East Broad Street, 14th Floor                       Fee 50.00
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0418                              96071740801
Form CON (July 1994)                                   EFF. 8/1/96

                          CERTIFICATE OF CONSOLIDATION

     IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF OHIO LAW, THE UNDERSIGNED
CORPORATIONS, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES AND/OR LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS,
DESIRING TO AFFECT A CONSOLIDATION, NOT FORTH THE FOLLOWING FACTS:

I.   NEW ENTITY CREATED BY CONSOLIDATION

     A.   The name of the entity created by the consolidation is:

          Consultant Pathology Associates Inc.

     B.   The entity created by the consolidation is a: (PLEASE CHECK THE
          APPROPRIATE BOX AND FILL IN THE APPROPRIATE BLANKS)

     [X]  Domestic (Ohio) corporation

     [ ]  Foreign (Non-Ohio) corporation incorporated under the laws of the
          state/ country of ______________.

     [ ]  Domestic (Ohio) limited liability company

     [ ]  Foreign (Non-Ohio) limited liability company organized under the laws
          of the state/country of ___________________.

     [ ]  Domestic (Ohio) limited partnership

     [ ]  Foreign (Non-Ohio) limited partnership organized under the laws of the
          state/country of ____________________.

[SEAL]

                                                                    RECEIVED

                                                                  JUL 29 1996

                                                              SECRETARY OF STATE

II.  CONSOLIDATING ENTITIES

     The name, type of entity, and state/country of incorporation or
organization, respectively, of each entity, other than the new entity, which is
a party to the merger are as follows:

(IF INSUFFICIENT SPACE TO COVER THIS ITEM, PLEASE ATTACH A SEPARATE SHEET
LISTING THE CONSOLIDATING ENTITIES; OHIO LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS AND FOREIGN
QUALIFIED LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS MUST INCLUDE REGISTRATION NUMBER)

[SEAL]

                                                                    RECEIVED

                                                                  JUL 17 1996

                                                              SECRETARY OF STATE

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<Table>
<Caption>
NAME                         STATE/COUNTRY OF ORGANIZATION       TYPE OF ENTITY
                                                     
Pathology Consultants, Inc.             Ohio               Professional Corporation
- ---------------------------             ----               ------------------------
Pathology Associates of
Northeast  Ohio, Inc.                   Ohio               Professional Corporation

- ---------------------------  ----------------------------  ------------------------

- ---------------------------  ----------------------------  ------------------------

- ---------------------------  ----------------------------  ------------------------

- ---------------------------  ----------------------------  ------------------------

- ---------------------------  ----------------------------  ------------------------

- ---------------------------  ----------------------------  ------------------------
</Table>

III. CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT ON FILE

     The name and mailing address of the person or entity from whom/which
eligible person may obtain a copy of the agreement of consolidation upon written
request:

       NAME                                    ADDRESS

  John T. Mulligan               600 Superior Avenue, E., #2100
  ----------------               -----------------------------------------------
                                 (street and number)

                                 Cleveland                     Ohio      44114
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 (city, village or township)  (state) (zip code)

IV.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF CONSOLIDATION

     This consolidation is to be effective:

     On August 1, 1996 (IF A DATE IF SPECIFIED, THE DATE MUST BE A DATE ON OR
AFTER THE DATE FILLING; THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONSOLIDATION CANNOT BE
EARLIER THAN THE DATE OF FILING; IF NO DATE IS SPECIFIED, THE DATE OF FILING
WILL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONSOLIDATION).

V.   CONSOLIDATION AUTHORIZED

     The laws of the state or country under which each constituent entity
exists, permits this consolidation.

     This consolidation was adopted, approved and authorized by each of the
constituent entities in compliance with the laws of the state under which it is
organized, and the persons signing this certificate on behalf of each of the
constituent entities are duly authorized to do so.

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VI.   STATUTORY AGENT

      The name and address of the statutory agent upon whom any process, notice
or demand against any constituent entity or the new entity may be served is:

       NAME                                    ADDRESS

  John T. Mulligan               600 Superior Avenue, E., #2100
  ----------------               -----------------------------------------------
                                     (complete street, address)

                                 Cleveland, Ohio                 44114
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 (city, village or township)   (zip code)

      ACCEPTANCE OF AGENT

      The undersigned, named herein as the statutory agent upon whom service of
process against any constituent entity or the new entity may be served, hereby
acknowledges and accepts the appointment of statutory agent.

                                  /s/ John T. Mulligan
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  SIGNATURE OF AGENT

VII.  STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATION

      Upon filing, or upon such later date as specified herein, the
consolidating entity/entities listed herein shall consolidate to form the listed
new entity.

VIII. ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OR CERTIFICATE OF
      LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      The articles of incorporation, [ILLEGIBLE] of the new domestic (Ohio)
entity herein, are as set forth in the attached "Exhibit A"

      (PLEASE NOTE THAT ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OR
TO A CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP MUST BE ATTACHED IF THE NEW ENTITY IS
TO BE A DOMESTIC CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, OR LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP.)

IX.   QUALIFICATION OR LICENSURE OF FOREIGN SURVIVING ENTITY

      A.  The foreign corporation, limited liability company, or limited
partnership created by and through this consolidation hereby states that it
desires to transact business in Ohio as a foreign corporation, foreign limited
liability company, or foreign limited partnership, and hereby appoints the
following as its statutory agent upon whom process, notice or demand against the
entity may be served in the State of Ohio. The name and complete address of the
statutory agent is:

- ---------------------------------               --------------------------------
(name)                                               (street and number)

                                                     Ohio
- ---------------------------------,                       -----------------------
(city, village or township)                                   (zip code)

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     The subject newly created foreign corporation, limited liability company or
limited partnership irrevocably consents to service of process on the statutory
agent listed above as long as the authority of the agent continues, and to
service of process upon the Secretary of State if the agent cannot be found, if
the corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership fails to
designate another agent when required to do so, or if the corporation's, limited
liability company's, or limited partnership's license or registration to do
business in Ohio expires or is cancelled.

     B.   The qualifying entity also states as follows: (complete only if
          applicable)

          1.   FOREIGN QUALIFYING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
               (If the qualifying entity is a foreign limited liability company,
               the following Information must be completed)

               a.   The name of the limited liability company in its state of
                    organization/registration is ________________
                    ______________________________________________

               b.   The name under which the limited liability company desires
                    to transact business in Ohio is_____________

               c.   The limited liability company was organized or registered on
                                                under the laws of the
                    ---------------------------
                    month     day      year
                    state/country of _____________________.

               d.   The address to which Interested persons may direct request
                    for copies of the articles of organization, operating
                    agreement, bylaws, or other charter documents of the company
                    is: _________________

          2.   FOREIGN QUALIFYING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

               (If the qualifying entity is a foreign limited partnership, the
               following information must be completed)

               a.   The name of limited partnership is _________

               b.   The limited partnership was formed on
                                                          ----------------------
                                                          month  day  year
                    under the laws of the state/country of _____________________

               c.   The address of the office of the limited partnership in its
                    state/country of organization is ______________

               d.   The limited partnership's principal office address is ______

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               e.   The names and business or residence addresses of the GENERAL
                    partners of the partnership are as follows:

                    Name                             Address

                    ------------------------------------------------------------

                    ------------------------------------------------------------

                    ------------------------------------------------------------

                    (IF INSUFFICIENT SPACE TO COVER THIS ITEM, PLEASE ATTACH A
                    SEPARATE SHEET LISTING THE GENERAL PARTNERS AND THEIR
                    RESPECTIVE ADDRESSES)

               f.   The address of the office where a list of the names and
                    business or residence addresses of the limited partners and
                    their respective capital contributions is to be maintained
                    is:

                    ------------------------------------------------------------

                    ------------------------------------------------------------

                    THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT IT SHALL
                    MAINTAIN SAID RECORDS UNTIL THE REGISTRATION OF THE LIMITED
                    PARTNERSHIP IN OHIO IS CANCELLED OR WITHDRAWN.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned constituent entities have caused this
certificate of consolidation to be signed by its duly authorized officers,
partners and representatives on the date(s) stated below.

                                                 Pathology Associates of
     Pathology Consultants, Inc.                  Northeast Ohio, Inc.
- ---------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
exact name of entity                       exact name of entity

By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]                        By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
   ------------------------------------      -----------------------------------
Its:         President                     Its:      President
    -----------------------------------        ---------------------------------

Date:                                      Date:
     --------------------------                 ----------------------


- ---------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
exact name of entity                       exact name of entity

By:                                        By:
   ------------------------------------      -----------------------------------
Its:                                       Its:
    -----------------------------------        ---------------------------------

Date:                                      Date:
     --------------------------                 ----------------------

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Date:                                      Date:
     --------------------------                 ----------------------


- ---------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
exact name of entity                       exact name of entity

By:                                        By:
   ------------------------------------      -----------------------------------
Its:                                       Its:
    -----------------------------------        ---------------------------------

Date:                                      Date:
     --------------------------                 ----------------------


- ---------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
exact name of entity                       exact name of entity

By:                                        By:
   ------------------------------------      -----------------------------------
Its:                                       Its:
    -----------------------------------        ---------------------------------

Date:                                      Date:
     --------------------------                 ----------------------


- ---------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
exact name of entity                       exact name of entity

By:                                        By:
   ------------------------------------      -----------------------------------
Its:                                       Its:
    -----------------------------------        ---------------------------------

Date:                                      Date:
     --------------------------                 ----------------------

[ILLEGIBLE]

<Page>

                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                      CONSULTANT PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES. INC.

     The undersigned, desiring to form a corporation for profit under Chapter
1785 of the Ohio Revised Code, do hereby certify as follows:

     1 - NAME. The name of the corporation is Consultant Pathology Associates,
Inc.

     2 - PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The corporation's principal office is located in the
City of Youngstown, County of Mahoning, State of Ohio.

     3 - PURPOSE. The sole purpose for which this corporation is formed is to
render the professional services of physicians licensed to practice medicine in
the state of Ohio, and to do such things as are necessary or proper in
connection therewith.

     4 - SHARES. The maximum number of shares which the corporation is
authorized to have outstanding is seven hundred fifty (750), all of which shall
be common shares without par value.

     5 - PURCHASE OF SHARES. The corporation, by action of its directors, has
the right and authority to purchase any of its outstanding shares at such price
and upon such terms as are agreed upon between the corporation and the selling
shareholder, whenever the corporation has funds legally available for such
purchase.

     6 - CONFLICT OF INTEREST. A director or officer of the corporation shall
not be disqualified, because of his office, from dealing or contracting with the
corporation as a vendor, purchaser, employee, agent or otherwise; nor shall any
transaction of the corporation be void or voidable or in any way affected or
invalidated by reason of the fact that any such director or officer, or any firm
of which such director or officer is a member, or any corporation of which such
director or officer is a shareholder, director, or officer, is in any way
interested in such transaction if the fact that such director, officer, firm, or
corporation is so interested is disclosed to or is known by such directors of
the corporation who are present at the meeting of the

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directors at which action upon such transaction is taken; nor shall any such
director or officer be accountable or responsible to the corporation with
respect to any such transaction of the corporation or for any gains or profits
realized by him because he, or any firm of which he is a member, or any
corporation of which he is a shareholder, officer, or director, is interested in
such transaction; and any such director may be counted in determining the
existence of a quorum at any meeting of the directors of the corporation which
will authorize or take action with respect to any such transaction, and may vote
thereat to authorize, ratify, or approve any such transaction with like force
and effect as if he, or any firm of which he is a member, or any corporation of
which he is a shareholder, officer, or director, were not interested in such
transaction. As used herein, "transaction" includes any contract or other act of
the corporation.

     7 - PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS. The pre-emptive right to purchase additional shares
or other securities of the corporation is expressly denied to all shareholders
of all classes.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name on July 24, 1996.


                                                        /s/ John T. Mulligan
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                          John T. Mulligan

                                                         SOLE INCORPORATOR

                                      - 2 -
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                          ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT OF AGENT

     The undersigned, being the sole incorporator of CONSULTANT PATHOLOGY
ASSOCIATES, INC., hereby appoint JOHN T. MULLIGAN, a natural person, resident of
the State of Ohio, upon whom any process, notice, or demand required or
permitted by statute to be service upon the corporation may be served.

     His complete address is:              2100 Bank One Center
                                           600 Superior Avenue, East
                                           Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                           (Cuyahoga County)


                                                        /s/ John T. Mulligan
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                          John T. Mulligan

                                                         SOLE INCORPORATOR

                            ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT

     The undersigned, John T. Mulligan, named herein as the statutory agent for
CONSULTANT PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC., hereby acknowledges and accepts the
appointment of statutory agent for said corporation.

                                                           /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                           Statutory Agent