Stephen Hess from AIxMed shares why cytology is so essential for digital pathology setups, from both a personal and a logical perspective. Listen now.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Pathology is changing fast—and if you’ve ever felt like the transition from a physical microscope to a digital screen is a bit daunting, this episode is for you.Lumea CEO James Thackeray sits down with Dr. Osama Khan, an anatomical pathologist, to talk about what it’s actually like to move away from the glass. Dr. Khan isn’t just talking about tech; he’s talking about how digitization changes the way we educate students, how we talk to and better empower our patients, and how we advocate for the profession.They dive into the "how-to" of starting your digital journey (like how you don't have to do it all at once), the reality of AI as a teammate rather than a replacement, and why the future of cancer care might just depend on our ability to go digital. It’s a candid, insightful look at where we’re headed.Tune in now! Here is the full transcript for this episode:

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

In this episode of PathPulse, James is joined by Dr. Matthew Cecchini, a celebrated pathologist, educator, and a Top 100 Trailblazer recognized by The Pathologist magazine. Their conversation dives deep into the profound impact of digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) on the field, moving beyond mere clinical application to explore how these technologies are revolutionizing pathology education.

Dr. Cecchini outlines the challenges facing traditional pathology training—from its reduced role in medical school curricula to the historical barriers of glass slides. He then details his innovative work, leveraging off-the-shelf AI models and unconventional teaching methods (including creating original music!) to make pathology more accessible, engaging, and relevant for the next generation of physicians.

The core of the discussion explores two critical aspects: how to recruit and properly train future pathologists, and how to redefine the pathologist's role in an AI-augmented world. This episode offers a compelling vision for pathology in 2035, shifting the focus from repetitive slide hunting to becoming essential managers of the diagnostic process and key educators for the entire clinical team. Dive right in!

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/ai-digital-pathology-transform-pathology-education/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Get ready for an insightful conversation on how digital platforms are revolutionizing pathology education. In this episode of PathPulse, host James Thackeray welcomes a true trailblazer, Dr. Kamran Mirza, Professor of Pathology and Assistant Chair for Education at Michigan Medicine. Dr. Mirza shares his unique global perspective and passion for making pathology education accessible worldwide.

Transcript (Available Oct 29): https://lumeadigital.com/how-digital-platforms-are-transforming-pathology-education-podcast/

What to Expect:

• How social media breaks classroom walls for global pathology education.
• Addressing the worldwide pathologist shortage and global health impact.
• Digital pathology: the powerful equalizer for educational access.
• PathElective and PathSIG: Free, powerful, global learning platforms.
• AI will refine, not replace, the pathologist's role.
• Overcoming reluctance; embracing technology for relevance and growth.

Don't miss this episode for an inspiring look at how Dr. Mirza is using innovation, technology, and sheer passion to create a vibrant, global, and highly visible community for pathology learners everywhere.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

In this episode of PathPulse, we're joined by Dr. Syed Hoda, a self-described ordinary pathologist who faced an extraordinary challenge. With no prior experience in informatics or digital pathology, Dr. Hoda was tasked with spearheading the transition to a fully digital workflow at NYU Langone. His mission was to create a real, functional system for everyday pathologists like himself.

Dr. Hoda's journey offers invaluable insights for anyone in the field. He'll share why he believes now is the time for digital pathology, what it takes to get an entire team comfortable with a fully remote workflow, the critical, often-overlooked role of change management in a successful implementation, and how the transition has increased med students' interest in pathology at NYU.

This is more than a story about technology; it’s about a complete transformation of a practice. It's proof that going fully digital is not only possible but also achievable from the ground up. Don't miss this firsthand account from a practicing pathologist.

Dr. Syed Hoda is the Director of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology at NYU Langone, a clinical professor at the NYU School of Medicine, the Director of Surgical Pathology at the orthopedic hospital, and the Director of Digital Pathology on the clinical service side at NYU Langone Health.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/navigating-digital-pathology-transformation-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to PathPulse, the Digital Diagnostic Podcast! In this episode, your host, James Thackeray, speaks with a true trailblazer in the field: Dr. Orly Ardon. Get ready to dive deep into the fascinating and complex journey of adopting digital pathology in the US hospital market.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/adopting-digital-pathology-in-us-hospitals-podcast/

Dr. Ardon, Director of Digital Pathology Operations at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), shares her unparalleled insights from leading one of the world's largest digital pathology operations. From the initial hurdles of building an entirely new digital infrastructure to the incredible horizons of AI and improved patient care, this conversation explores the real-world complexities and immense potential of this transformative technology. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the digital pathology landscape, you'll gain invaluable perspectives on how institutions are navigating this crucial shift.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Step into the evolving landscape of diagnostics with this insightful episode of PathPulse, the Digital Diagnostic Podcast! Host Andy Ivie, Chief Innovation Officer at Lumea and board member of the Digital Diagnostic Summit, sits down with Imogen Fitt, a principal analyst at Signify Research and a leading voice in healthcare technology market analysis.

Imogen brings her unique blend of market expertise and a genuine passion for health tech to unravel the true desires and disconnects in the adoption of digital pathology. From the initial hurdles of transitioning from glass slides to the cutting-edge potential of AI, this conversation dives deep into the perspectives of pathologists on the front lines.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The critical need for comprehensive vendor onboarding and training as a key differentiator in digital pathology adoption.
• The paramount importance of seamless integration and interoperability between digital pathology software, LIS, and EHR systems.
• A realistic look at what AI can achieve in clinical pathology workflows right now, from quality control tools to prognostic AI that identifies genomic biomarkers.
• The ongoing challenges of economic models and reimbursement for AI tools in pathology.
• Key advice for vendors and institutions on how to better meet the needs of pathologists as they scale their digital workflows, including the growing trend of integrating with vendor-neutral archives (VNAs) and enterprise imaging strategies.
• Insights into how digital pathology is poised to enhance equality of access to high-quality pathology services globally.

Imogen shares her bubbly enthusiasm and sharp analysis, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the practical realities, challenges, and immense potential of digital pathology. Tune in to gain unparalleled insights into how the industry can better support pathologists and unlock the full promise of digital diagnostics!

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/digital-pathology-tech-what-pathologists-really-want-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Get ready for an inspiring episode of PathPulse, the Digital Diagnostic Podcast! This month's host, David Dalton, sits down with Dr. Melanie Bourgeau, a surgical pathology fellow at the University of Florida, as they explore the exciting intersection of pathology, digital innovation, and social media outreach.

In this conversation, Dr. Bourgeau shares her unique perspective as a pathologist who's grown up with digital tools. You'll hear about:

• Her extensive fellowship training.
• Why the "learning curve" for digital pathology was virtually nonexistent for her, offering a fresh take on adopting new technology.
• The personal, humorous story that ignited her passion for pathology education on social media, where she's created over 200 posts and videos.
• How COVID-19 unexpectedly fueled her social media engagement and led to valuable collaborations within the pathology community.
• Her insights on how young pathologists are leading the charge in embracing digital innovation and fostering a more collaborative future for the field.
• Empowering advice for anyone looking to enter digital pathology or start sharing their expertise publicly.

Join us as Dr. Bourgeau discusses how digital tools are making pathology more efficient, collaborative, and ultimately, leading to better patient care. You won't want to miss this insightful discussion on "Pathology in Motion"!

Access the transcript here: https://lumeadigital.com/pathology-in-motion-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Step into the future of diagnostics with this enlightening episode of PathPulse, the Digital Diagnostic Podcast! Host James Thackeray welcomes Jay Jhaveri, Senior Director at Pacific Edge Cancer Diagnostics, to unravel the profound impact of genomic testing on personalized pathology.

Jay Jhaveri brings a unique blend of extensive clinical background (including general surgery, urology residency, and multiple fellowships) and industry expertise to this discussion. He'll guide you through the pivotal shift from traditional tissue examination to precision pathology, where genomic and transcriptomic signatures revolutionize diagnoses.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How genomic insights are enabling more accurate risk stratification and truly tailored patient management.
• Concrete examples of how genomic biomarker tests can predict cancer risk, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures like cystoscopy.
• The transformative role of urine-based genomic tests, specifically the CxBladder test, in diagnosing and monitoring urothelial cancer.
• The significant impact of the recent 2025 AUA Microhematuria Guideline update, which now endorses urinary biomarker testing for intermediate-risk patients.
• The challenges and breakthroughs in adopting these cutting-edge tools in clinical practice, including EMR integration and workflow optimization.

Jay shares compelling real-world data, including a 59% decrease in unnecessary cystoscopies in a study utilizing CxBladder Triage, and discusses how this innovation empowers both clinicians and patients.

Tune in to understand how genomic insights are not just an addition, but a fundamental reshaping of the pathology landscape and patient care. This is a conversation you won't want to miss if you're interested in the leading edge of precision medicine!

View transcript here: https://lumeadigital.com/genomic-test-role-digital-pathology-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Join us on PathPulse, the Digital Diagnostic Podcast, as we delve into the groundbreaking journey of Dr. Matthew O. Leavitt, a Stanford-trained pathologist and visionary leader in digital pathology. Host James Thackeray sits down with Dr. Leavitt to uncover his relentless pursuit of leveraging digital technologies to revolutionize patient care, particularly in underserved regions.

This episode offers a unique look at:

• The foundational "why" behind Dr. Leavitt's career: a deep-seated desire to connect remote communities to high-level medical expertise, stemming from his own rural upbringing.
• His early, and often challenging, experiences in implementing digital pathology, including a frank discussion about initial missteps and costly lessons.
• The pivotal realization that standardization of pre-analytics (tissue handling) is not just important, but absolutely crucial for effective digital pathology workflows.
• How his companies, Lumea (founded in 2014 for lab workflow efficiency and standardization) and PathNet (a 2020 hub-and-spoke virtual practice extending digital diagnostics to 35 states), are actively addressing these challenges.
• The surprising discovery that Lumea's innovative tissue preservation methods drastically improved molecular testing success rates, going beyond initial expectations.
• Dr. Leavitt's optimistic yet realistic outlook on the future of digital pathology, emphasizing the need for collaborative models and consolidation to overcome economic barriers and accelerate adoption. He discusses the role of his latest endeavor, the DDx Foundation, in fostering cross-sector data exchange and democratizing access to digital diagnostics.

Hear directly from a true pioneer who's not just talking about the future of pathology, but actively building it, pushing boundaries to enhance diagnostic accuracy, accessibility, and patient care for all.

Full transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/diagnosing-to-disrupting-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Join Bianca Collings on PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action as she speaks with Westley (Wes) J. Bernhardt, a true pioneer in digital pathology and Managing Partner of OnePath Diagnostics. Wes is an accomplished operations executive with a remarkable track record of transforming organizations and an early adopter who successfully leveraged digital technology to navigate the challenges of a pathologist shortage, rising costs, and stagnant reimbursements.

In this insightful episode, Wes shares his unique journey, inspired by his pathologist father, from an early career in healthcare benefits to becoming a visionary leader in laboratory medicine. Discover how his diverse background equipped him with an unparalleled understanding of the healthcare ecosystem, from patient insurance struggles to the intricacies of lab operations.

Tune in to hear:

• Wes's personal story of building and scaling Bernhardt Laboratories from a small local practice to a successful regional operation, and the unexpected challenges that led to its acquisition by Aurora Diagnostics.
• The "why" behind OnePath Diagnostics' early commitment to digital pathology, driven by a foresight that technology would eventually catch up to the needs of the industry, as well as a desire to improve pathologists' quality of life.
• How Wes and his team strategically vetted and built their "tech stack," including their choice of Lumea for Image Management System (IMS) and the crucial integration with their Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• The transformative impact of digital pathology on recruiting top talent, enabling pathologists to work remotely and flexibly, freeing them from the "cockpit" of traditional microscopy.
• Why operational efficiency and automating 85-90% of daily tasks were paramount in their digital adoption, focusing on routine workflow over "bells and whistles."
• Wes's candid advice for navigating the leap into digital pathology, stressing the importance of thorough vetting, making tough decisions, and trusting your vision, even when it means being "uncomfortable."

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the healthcare industry seeking to understand how bold leadership, strategic innovation, and a focus on improving daily operations can lead to exponential growth and a better future for pathology.

Podcast transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/microscope-to-monitor-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action! In this episode, James Thackeray is joined by Dr. Liron Pantanowitz, the Maud L. Menten Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh. A globally recognized cytopathologist and a pioneer in digital and computational pathology, Dr. Pantanowitz has significantly shaped the field through his work on guidelines for whole slide imaging and AI applications. He's also a past president of both the Digital Pathology Association and the American Society of Cytopathology, and a multi-year honoree on The Pathologist Power List.

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Pantanowitz delves into the crucial, yet often overlooked, barrier to widespread digital pathology adoption: the pathologist's mindset. He candidly discusses how traditional training and ingrained practices create resistance to change, even as technology advances.

Discover:

• Dr. Pantanowitz's three core priorities as Chair of Pathology: caring for people, improving processes, and applying technology to enhance both.
• Why, despite technological advancements and regulatory approvals, digital pathology adoption remains slower than anticipated, and how many common perceived barriers have, in fact, been overcome.
• His compelling mobile phone analogy that helps pathologists understand the long-term benefits of digital pathology, emphasizing portability and the future potential of integrated applications.
• The importance of "walking the walk" and transparently addressing the nuances and challenges of digital adoption, rather than selling an unrealistic "perfect" vision.
• Insights into the pathologist's relationship with AI, addressing concerns about trust, liability, and the practical implementation of diagnostic AI in daily workflows.
• The critical need for "workflow AI" to automate mundane tasks like quality control and inter-departmental correlations, freeing up pathologists for higher-value work.
• Dr. Pantanowitz's powerful closing message: that adaptation is key to survival in an evolving medical landscape, urging pathologists to embrace digital tools for precision care and future relevance.

This episode offers a candid and enlightening perspective on the human element of technological transformation in pathology, providing valuable insights for anyone involved in digital diagnostics.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/shifting-mindsets-towards-digital-pathology-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Join Jake Brown on PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action as he welcomes Dr. Margaret Flanagan, a distinguished neuropathologist and the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio's Distinguished Chair in Alzheimer and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Recognized on The Pathologist's 2024 Power List as an Idol of Innovation, Dr. Flanagan leads a multidisciplinary laboratory focused on understanding dementia mechanisms and developing early detection biomarkers. She's also a founding member of the National Digital Pathology Working Group and co-leads the Biggs Institute Brain Bank.

In this episode, Dr. Flanagan dives deep into the cutting-edge of pathology, exploring what's still missing from digital pathology to truly revolutionize diagnostics and personalized medicine.

You'll gain insight into:

• Digital Spatial Transcriptomics: Dr. Flanagan demystifies this powerful technology, explaining how it adds a crucial spatial dimension to genetic data, enabling researchers to pinpoint disease mechanisms with unprecedented granularity in areas like dementia and cancer. You'll learn how digital pathology is an integral step in its workflow.
• Integrating Multi-Omics Data: Discover the immense potential and current challenges of incorporating diverse molecular data into diagnostic workflows. Dr. Flanagan passionately discusses how personalized medicine for dementia, where co-existing brain pathologies are the norm, critically depends on these multi-omic insights.
• The "Perfect World" Scenario: Envision a future where highly accurate, validated biomarkers (like plasma tau and eye scans) combine with spatial omics to deliver tailored therapies to patients years before memory problems begin, addressing specific combinations of brain pathologies.
• Cost and Accessibility as Hurdles: Dr. Flanagan highlights the need for greater accessibility to expensive multi-omics platforms for researchers and clinicians. 

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in the bleeding edge of pathology, biomarker development, and the future of personalized medicine. Dr. Flanagan's expertise offers a compelling vision for how digital pathology, when combined with advanced molecular techniques, can unlock new possibilities in diagnosis and treatment.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/whats-missing-from-digital-pathology-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Join James Thackeray, head of the Digital Diagnostic Summit board, on PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action as he interviews Andy Ivie, Chief Technology Officer at Lumea. Andy, a software expert who began his digital pathology journey in 2013, offers a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on the evolution and future of this transformative field.

In this episode, Andy shares his insights on:

- Over a decade of significant changes in digital pathology software: From the early days of room-sized scanners and local image viewers to today's compact, reliable scanners and efficient cloud-based web applications that enable remote diagnosis.
- The true drivers for adopting digital pathology (beyond AI): Andy highlights critical, often overlooked benefits such as improved pathologist efficiency, enhanced viewing capabilities (seeing more of the slide at once), simplified lab logistics, faster turnaround times, and significant cost reductions in glass management and shipping.
- The power of workflow AI: Discover how AI is already making pathologists more effective by helping them navigate complex cases, perform calculations, and streamline documentation.
- Lumea's innovative approach to AI integration: Andy discusses Lumea's role as a platform for accessing various AI tools, emphasizing the current need for human supervision in diagnostic AI, akin to self-driving cars, while acknowledging its immense potential for future applications.
- Exciting recent developments: Hear about Lumea's groundbreaking auto-registration side-by-side viewer (DxAlign), which precisely aligns multiple levels and stains of tissue for enhanced efficiency and confidence. Andy also shares the "unsexy but satisfying" advancements in backend technology that make cloud-based digital pathology incredibly fast and efficient.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the practicalities and technological innovations driving digital pathology forward, offering a clear vision from a software expert at the forefront of the field.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/top-reasons-to-embrace-digital-pathology/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action! In this episode, Jake Brown speaks with Dr. Lewis Hassell, Director of Anatomic Pathology at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a pioneering educator in digital pathology. Board-certified in Cytopathology and Anatomic/Clinical Pathology, Dr. Hassell leads the Open Pathology Education Network (OPEN), a transformative initiative providing digital education to pathologists in underserved regions, including pilot programs in Vietnam.

This episode delves into Dr. Hassell’s profound insights on how digital pathology can solve critical access-to-care issues, both domestically and internationally, by addressing the persistent challenges of pathologist supply and quality.

Discover:

• Dr. Hassell’s compelling personal journey: From driving through snowstorms for frozen sections in rural U.S. practice to witnessing early 1900s-level medical equipment in Vietnam, underscoring his passion for extending high-quality diagnostic services globally.
• The evolution of digital pathology as a teaching resource: Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital slides and remote learning technologies, transforming pathology education from a “knee-to-knee” model to a globally accessible, asynchronous training regimen.
• Groundbreaking pilot programs: Hear about OPEN’s highly successful pilot in Da Nang, Vietnam, where a digital education program dramatically increased diagnostic accuracy from 65% to over 95% among local pathologists supporting a gynecologic oncology tumor board.
• The vision for accelerated training: Dr. Hassell explains how structured, self-study digital materials can drastically cut down learning curves for trainees (e.g., mastering GI polyps in two weeks instead of six to eight months), potentially accelerating the production of competent pathologists worldwide.
• Overcoming the “Mindset” Hurdle: Dr. Hassell argues that the biggest barrier to widespread digital pathology adoption isn’t economic or technical, but a prevailing “mindset” of both users and providers, hindering the free sharing and embrace of digital tools.
• A hopeful glimpse into the future: Envision a world 10-20 years from now where enhanced training and AI utilization ensure every patient, anywhere, has ready access to the best quality diagnostic information and care, akin to the dramatic transformation seen in global communication.

This powerful conversation highlights the immense potential of digital pathology to not only enhance individual practice but to fundamentally reshape global healthcare accessibility and outcomes.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/digital-pathology-access-to-care-podcast/

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

In this illuminating episode of PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action, host James Thackeray sits down with Eder Lagemann, Global Director of Digital Pathology, and Sidney Tate, Insights Director from KLAS Research, to explore the evolving landscape of digital pathology. KLAS Research is a global firm dedicated to improving healthcare by amplifying the provider's voice through data and insights on software, services, and medical equipment.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/trends-digital-pathology-podcast/

This conversation offers a deep dive into the key trends and driving forces behind digital pathology adoption. Comparing its journey to the successful digital transformation in radiology decades ago, Eder and Sidney reveal striking similarities in the initial uncertainties and ultimate undeniable benefits.

You'll discover:

• Contrasting Adoption Rates: Why Europe has traditionally led the U.S. in digital pathology adoption, primarily due to differing funding structures (e.g., NHS-driven initiatives) and regulatory pathways (CE marking vs. FDA clearance).
• Accelerating U.S. Growth: Despite being behind, the U.S. market is rapidly gaining momentum, with a 10 percentage point increase in organizations looking to incorporate digital pathology into their enterprise imaging strategies. Reference labs, in particular, are nearing 100% adoption or exploration.
• The "Why" Behind the Shift: While patient care improvement remains at the heart, organizations are increasingly driven by operational efficiencies (reducing courier costs, simplifying logistics) and the long-term ROI potential of AI integration.
• Real-World ROI: KLAS's research indicates that organizations adopting digital pathology are at minimum breaking even, and often seeing financial benefits through efficiency gains and enhanced collaboration.
• Industry Needs for Widespread Adoption: The experts highlight critical areas for improvement, including the need for regulatory clarity on digital slide storage (to avoid dual physical and digital costs) and a stronger push for industry-wide standards like DICOM to foster interoperability and streamline implementations.

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital pathology landscape from two of the industry's leading research authorities. Learn what's driving progress, what hurdles remain, and how collaboration and standardization are key to unlocking the full potential of digital diagnostics.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Join Bianca Collings on PathPulse: Pathology Innovators in Action as she speaks with Amanda Lowe, a digital pathology pioneer. With over two decades in the field, Amanda's extensive experience includes roles at Bacus Laboratories (first U.S. distributor of the Hamamatsu NanoZoomer) and currently as Managing Director for Visiopharm Corporation (Americas) and SVP of global customer success.

This episode offers inspiring and practical insights into overcoming challenges and maximizing digital pathology's potential.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/digital-pathology-barriers/

Amanda details digital pathology's evolution, highlighting how COVID-19 significantly accelerated adoption, leading to regulatory leniency and proving remote sign-out's value. A key Memorial Sloan Kettering study confirmed 100% diagnostic equivalency between digital and glass.

The conversation then focuses on current barriers:

• Data Security: The increasing risk of breaches with digital patient data, especially with evolving AI capabilities.
• Standards & Interoperability: The challenge of diverse image formats and system requirements, stressing the need for DICOM standardization and expert guidance.
• Regulatory & Reimbursement: Hurdles include the lack of national payment rates for digital pathology CPT codes and the evolving FDA regulation of LDTs.

Amanda champions a collaborative, agile approach to these challenges. She emphasizes that digital pathology is "the right thing to do" and urges the community to "never give up," advocating for continuous learning and collective action to drive the field forward.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Join Jake Brown on Ask a Pathologist Podcast: Innovators in Action as he speaks with Dr. Todd Randolph, a board-certified anatomic and cytopathologist with nearly three decades of experience, practicing digital pathology since 2016. Dr. Randolph offers a unique, long-term perspective on artificial intelligence (AI) and its current and future role in digital pathology.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/artificial-intelligence-digital-pathology/

Dr. Randolph, an early digital pathology adopter, discusses why AI's "tidal wave" hasn't yet hit the pathology world.

• He shares his experience with diagnostic AI for prostate specimens, noting its over-sensitivity and cost-prohibitiveness as current hurdles.
• However, he sees AI becoming invaluable as algorithms improve, particularly for less specialized pathologists, potentially setting a new "standard of care" and driving reimbursement.

The conversation then shifts to Dr. Randolph's compelling vision for "virtual pathology assistants" – AI tools that combine diagnostic capabilities with administrative support.

• He envisions AI automating tasks like patient/slide identification, history presentation, case pre-annotation, report generation, and billing code entry.
• This would drastically improve pathologists' efficiency, allowing them to focus on core diagnostic expertise.

Dr. Randolph believes this integrated AI approach will make pathology more efficient and potentially reveal insights beyond current human capabilities, fundamentally reshaping the field.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to the Ask a Pathologist Podcast: Innovators in Action! Host James Thackeray speaks with Dr. Jared Szymanski, a board-certified pathologist and a key founder of Lumea digital pathology. As an early adopter of digital technology in clinical practice, Dr. Szymanski offers invaluable insights from his extensive experience.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/fellowship-tips-and-digital-pathology-podcast/

Dr. Szymanski shares his journey to becoming a digital pathology pioneer. He offers top tips for pathology fellowships:

• Always do a fellowship: Specializing provides a significant career advantage.
• Consider digital's impact: Fields susceptible to AI automation (like hematopathology) might be less appealing than those requiring nuanced human interpretation.
• Embrace informatics: Digital skills are crucial for future success.

He then details the benefits and challenges of digital pathology:

• Unmatched lifestyle and efficiency: Digital sign-out, often on an iPad, offers immense flexibility and faster case completion.
• High confidence in technology: Dr. Szymanski finds digital pathology for small biopsies and prostate cases as good as, or better than, glass microscopy.
• Enhanced collaboration and patient care: Instant digital consults dramatically reduce turnaround times for second opinions, directly improving patient outcomes.

Looking ahead, Dr. Szymanski predicts pathology will be unrecognizable in 10 years, with AI handling routine tasks. He urges pathologists to embrace this change, focusing on developing unique human skills like management and complex problem-solving to thrive in an AI-driven future.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

In this Ask a Pathologist Podcast episode, host James Thackeray speaks with Dr. Hillel Kahane, a board-certified uropathologist with over 30 years of experience, having personally signed out more than 1 million prostate core needle biopsies. As co-founder of StarPath Inc., he leverages AI with extensive expertise.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/game-changing-tools-for-pathologists/

Dr. Kahane highlights game-changing tools in his practice:

• Pre-analytical Innovations: Lumea's BxBoard™ and BxChip™ allow more cores per slide, ensuring linear, oriented core presentation. This dramatically boosts productivity and has significantly increased his cancer detection rate.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Current AI algorithms are robust at tumor detection, serving as a crucial "second set of eyes" and a valuable QA/QC tool. He envisions AI eventually generating reports, and believes it will be essential for tapping into vast, unfathomable information in digitized slides.
• Digital Pathology for Workflow & Care: Digital platforms offer immense lifestyle flexibility, allowing sign-out from anywhere. They also enable real-time consultations with colleagues, drastically streamlining second opinions and improving patient care.

Dr. Kahane encourages all pathologists to "take the leap" into digital pathology, emphasizing its vital role in the future of the field.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to our fourth episode of the Ask a Pathologist Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to host Dr. Tristan Rutland, a highly accomplished medical educator and anatomical pathologist from Australia. Dr. Rutland, based at Western Sydney University and Liverpool Hospital, specializes in gastrointestinal pathology and is recognized for his extensive teaching, including an online Master of Medicine (Pathology) course and introducing virtual pathology to WSU. He's also a recipient of the prestigious Konrad Muller RCPA Outstanding Teaching Award and actively engages in social media education.

In this episode, Dr. Rutland shares his favorite resources, from local connections to global digital tools, for day-to-day practice and continuous education

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/best-resources-for-pathologists-podcast/

Episode Summary:

Dr. Rutland offers a comprehensive guide to valuable resources:

• Local Resources: Emphasizes the importance of clinicians and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) for diagnostic insights and understanding patient care context.
• Educational & Online Resources:
  • Textbooks & WHO Blue Books: Classic, reliable sources for specialized and general tumor pathology information.
  • Colleagues & Consults: Crucial for diagnostic accuracy and learning, now greatly expedited by digital pathology, enabling real-time global second opinions.
  • Online Platforms: Pathology Outlines (free general resource), social media (Path Twitter, KiKo) for continuous learning and dynamic peer review, and synoptic reports (RCPA, CAP) for standardized cancer reporting.
  • Digital Pathology Portals: PathPresenter and the Royal College of Pathologists UK Portal offer vast digital slide libraries, including often-overlooked "normalish" cases, for education.

Dr. Rutland highlights the increasing collegiality within the global pathology community via digital tools. He expresses optimism for the future, where technology will continue to enhance access to expertise and education worldwide.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to Ask a Pathologist Podcast! Host Bianca Collings speaks with Staci J. Kearney and Ciara Martin from Elevation Strategic Development. Staci, a founder, and Ciara, a principal consultant, bring over a decade of experience each in driving diagnostic and medical device innovations.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/implementing-digital-pathology-workflows/

In this episode, they offer crucial tips for implementing digital pathology workflows:

• Regulatory Foundation: While CLIA offers limited guidance, CAP guidelines and peer-reviewed studies are key to compliance. U.S. digital pathology thrives in the LDT (Laboratory-Developed Test) space.
• Pathologist's Role: Pathologists are critical "humans in the loop," enhancing workflows from image acquisition to AI development, not being replaced by technology.
• System Validation & Security: All digital pathology components (scanners, monitors, LIS interfaces) must be validated together. Prioritize privacy and security (HIPAA), often requiring IT collaboration.
• Getting Started: Leverage peer networks and vendor demos. Consider the user's needs and the technology's long-term lifespan (e.g., RUO vs. DX versions).
• Development Challenges: Product development is slow due to scientific complexity and the need to serve diverse users (histologists, pathologists, executives).
• Future Regulations: U.S. labs should prepare for potential FDA regulation of LDTs, mirroring Europe's stringent IVDR and AI Act, which could impact users modifying AI products.

This episode offers invaluable, practical advice for successfully navigating digital pathology implementation, from compliance and integration to future readiness.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to our second podcast episode! Today our guest pathologists Nicole Jackson, MD, and Brett Kurpiel, MD, each share their top three tips for pathology residency.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/tips-for-pathology-residency/

Nicole Jackson is the Associate Medical Examiner and Physician at King County Medical Examiner’s Office. She also has a clinical professor appointment at the University of Washington in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Outside of her day-to-day work, she has a lot of career interests in mentoring, community building, and really pushing pathologists forward as a field to increase diversity and exposure to the community around us as well as on social media.

Brett Kerpiel is currently a third-year resident at the University of Virginia in anatomic and clinical pathology. Next year he'll be serving as chief resident. When he graduates next summer, he will be pursuing a pediatric pathology fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.

Welcome to our first podcast! Today, our guest pathologists Jonhan Ho, MD, and Swikrity U Baskota, MD, share their top three things they didn’t know about becoming an attending pathologist.

Transcript: https://lumeadigital.com/being-an-attending/

Jonhan Ho is the Director of Dermatopathology at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also the medical director for two CLIA-licensed laboratories within the Department of Dermatology. Additionally, Dr. Ho is the Director of the Dermatopathology Fellowship program at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also the founder of KiKo (Knowledge In, Knowledge Out).

Swikrity U Baskota is a cytopathologist and surgical pathologist in Columbia University's Department of Pathology and Cell Biology. She completed her anatomic pathology residency and cytopathology fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Baskota is currently on the Board of Directors at the College of American Pathologists Foundation. She is also appointed as a member of the global pathology committee and the development committee by the foundation. 

Submit questions for our future recordings here: https://lumeadigital.com/ask-a-pathologist-podcast/

Sponsored by the Digital Diagnostic Summit and Lumea.