Meeting Note: Digital Pathology Association, October 29-31, 2023, Orlando

See an updated review with detailed AI descriptions of the meeting.

https://www.discoveriesinhealthpolicy.com/2023/09/ai-corner-digital-pathology-orlando.html

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ORIGINAL BLOG:

Quoting,

The Digital Pathology Association annual meeting, Pathology Visions 2023, will take place Oct. 29–31 in Orlando, Fla. This year’s theme is “Igniting Digital Pathology Transformation.”

Pathology Visions brings together hundreds of experts and peers across the field of digital pathology to address real-world, practical applications of digital pathology and artificial intelligence as well as new technologies and developments. Attendees have access to more than 50 presenters and 70 poster presentations, nearly 50 vendors showcasing the latest innovations, and more.

More information about the meeting and how to register can be found below.

On PubMed, citations for "digital pathology" have been running about 500 a year and will be 600-plus in 2023.

500 per year in 2021, 2022

LINKS

https://digitalpathologyassociation.org/

https://digitalpathologyassociation.org/pathology-visions-conference

I asked Chat GPT 3.5 to summarize the conference, and at first, it basically just summarized the literal agenda.  I include that deeper below.

I then asked Chat GPT to summarize the conference in the voice of a med tech journalist who has already attended it.  That was more fun.

Title: Unveiling the Future of Digital Pathology: Insights from the Cutting-Edge Conference

By [Journalist Name Here], MedTech Correspondent

The realm of digital pathology has experienced a seismic shift, as innovators and experts converged at a recent conference to unveil the latest strides and future directions of the field. Hosted by the Digital Pathology Association (DPA), the event saw luminaries from the medical technology industry, pioneering clinicians, and data scientists take center stage to explore the intersection of technology and healthcare.

Charting New Avenues with AI

At the heart of the conference was the exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the landscape of healthcare. In a captivating keynote address, Dr. Anthony Chang, a luminary at CHOC and AIMed, shared his reflections as a clinician-data scientist. He discussed the successes, disappointments, and forthcoming possibilities of AI in healthcare. Dr. Chang's insights illuminated the delicate balance between human expertise and technological prowess.

Dr. Rama Gullapalli from the University of New Mexico and Dr. Ehsan Ullah from Health New Zealand, Auckland, delved into the remarkable potential of large language models in diagnostic pathology. The duo explored the intricate opportunities, formidable challenges, and ethical dimensions posed by these models, igniting intense discussions among the attendees.

Calculating the Cost of Progress

Unveiling the enigma of cost in the digital pathology landscape, Dr. Orly Ardon of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center introduced a dynamic cost calculator that empowers informed decision-making. This groundbreaking tool offers insights into the investment required for implementing digital pathology solutions, laying the foundation for strategic planning.

Practical Insights into Implementation

While the discussions revolved around the theoretical possibilities, the conference also brought forth practical case studies. Dr. Harshwardhan Thaker from the University of Texas Medical Branch presented the journey of digital primary diagnosis at a mid-sized Pathology Department. The university's experience illuminated the transformational impact of embracing digital pathology, underscoring the potential to enhance patient care.

AI's Evolution in Cancer Diagnosis

Pathology's critical role in cancer diagnosis and treatment was a recurrent theme. Dr. Nghia Nguyen from the University of Texas-Houston Medical School shared groundbreaking research on predicting breast cancer metastasis using artificial intelligence. This AI-powered approach holds the promise to revolutionize prognostic strategies and enable earlier interventions.

Balancing Technological Growth with Ethical Considerations

Amid the excitement surrounding technological advancements, the conference acknowledged the ethical quandaries intertwined with AI and digital pathology. Presenters, including Dr. David Brettle from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS, discussed considerations for digital pathology displays, emphasizing the importance of maintaining accuracy and integrity while harnessing technology's potential.

A Glimpse into the Future

The conference also provided a glimpse into the future with presentations on cloud-based digital pathology repositories, advanced image analysis, and immediate image-based molecular profiling. Experts painted a vivid picture of a healthcare landscape where AI not only augments clinical decision-making but also enables real-time molecular insights.

Reflections and Networking

The two-day conference wrapped up with a networking reception, allowing attendees to engage in thought-provoking discussions and build lasting connections. As journalists, we left with a deepened understanding of the transformative power of digital pathology, AI's evolving role, and the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes patient care and ethical considerations.

In an ever-evolving med tech landscape, the conference stood as a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation, the collaborative spirit of experts, and the potential for technology to reshape the healthcare ecosystem. The future of digital pathology holds immense promise, and the insights shared at this event will undoubtedly drive the field's evolution in the years to come.

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The upcoming digital pathology conference is set to cover a wide range of topics related to the integration of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of pathology. The agenda includes keynote addresses, presentations, workshops, and discussions led by experts in the field. Here is a summarized overview of the conference agenda:

Day 1: Monday, October 30

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

• Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • Dr. Liron Pantanowitz, MD, PhD, UPMC; DPA President

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

• DPA Foundation Remarks
  • Michael Rivers, Roche; DPAF President

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

• KEYNOTE ADDRESS
  • Reflections of a Clinician-Data Scientist: Successes, Disappointments, and Future Directions of AI in Healthcare
  • Dr. Anthony Chang, MD, MBA, MPH, MS; CHOC, AIMed

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

• Large Language Models in Diagnostic Pathology – Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations
  • Dr. Rama Gullapalli, MD, PhD; University of New Mexico
  • Dr. Ehsan Ullah, MBBS, MPhil, PhD; Health New Zealand, Auckland

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

• The Cost of Digital Pathology: A Dynamic Customizable Cost Calculator for Informed Decision-making
  • Dr. Orly Ardon, PhD, MBA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

12:45 PM - 1:05 PM

• Lunch & Visit with Exhibitors

1:10 PM - 2:45 PM

• TRACK 1 (Windermere Y)
  • Presentation on Digital Primary Diagnosis at a mid-sized Pathology Department
  • Reports from the University of Texas Medical Branch
• TRACK 2 (Windermere Z)
  • Presentation on A Scalable, Standardized, and Responsible Framework for Clinical AI Models
  • Mayo Clinic's perspective by Dr. David McClintock and Dr. Chris Garcia

3:30 PM - 3:50 PM

• Refreshment Break & Visit with Exhibitors

3:55 PM - 5:30 PM

• TRACK 1 (Windermere Y)
  • Presentations on Digital Pathology Implementation in Asia and Europe
  • Image Analysis Comparisons and AI in Education
• TRACK 2 (Windermere Z)
  • Presentations on Predicting Breast Cancer Metastasis and Domain-Specific Pre-trained Models
  • Building Accessible Datasets for Cancer Research

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

• Networking Reception

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Philips Dinner Workshop

Day 2: Tuesday, October 31

7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

• Conference Registration

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

• Iron Mountain Breakfast Workshop

9:00 AM - 10:45 AM

• PLENARY ADDRESS
  • Twenty Years of Digital Pathology: Lessons Learned
  • Dr. Sylvia Asa, MD, PhD, University Hospitals Cleveland
• Interoperability, Regulatory & Standards Updates

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

• Lunch & Visit with Exhibitors

12:55 PM - 3:15 PM

• TRACK 1 (Windermere Y)
  • AI in the Pathologist's Daily Workflow and Future Possibilities
  • AI-Empowered Digital Workflow for Prostate Pathology
  • AI-Supported Primary Diagnosis of Gastric Biopsies
  • DeepHeme: A Bone Marrow Classifier
  • Comparison between Glass Slides and Digital Slides for Thyroid Cytology
• TRACK 2 (Windermere Z)
  • Clinical Validation of Primary Diagnosis and Molecular Profiling
  • Mayo Atlas, European Bigpicture Project Updates
  • Immediate Image-Based Molecular Profiling
  • Improved Statistical Benchmarking of Digital Pathology Models

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

• Poster Awards

This conference covers a comprehensive range of topics, including AI applications in digital pathology, the challenges of implementation, cost considerations, ethical concerns, regulatory updates, and interoperability issues. Attendees will benefit from the insights and experiences shared by experts in the field of digital pathology.

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