NOW AVAILABLE ON DEMAND!
Laboratory leaders are at a critical inflection point. With staffing shortages affecting nearly 40% of labs and declining reimbursements creating ongoing pressure, traditional approaches are falling short. At the same time, digital pathology and AI are emerging as practical solutions to drive efficiency and advance precision medicine.
Join us for a panel discussion with leaders from several of the most innovative and forward-thinking laboratories in the world, for an in-depth look at exclusive survey findings from 360+ laboratory leaders. This survey was conducted in March 2025 in partnership with the Dark Intelligence Group, across hospital, academic, and independent labs.
This data-driven discussion will reveal how laboratory management and staff are navigating current challenges, thinking about precision medicine, and positioning themselves for the future of diagnostics. Hear what they think about the role digital pathology and AI play in achieving precision medicine goals, as well as opportunities to improve efficiency and unlock new revenue streams.
Key Takeaways
- Industry Benchmark Data: Understand where your laboratory stands compared to 360+ peers facing similar challenges and opportunities
- Strategic Prioritization: Learn how successful labs are balancing immediate operational needs with long-term digital transformation goals
- Technology Selection Framework: Discover the factors that matter most to laboratory leaders when evaluating digital pathology and AI solutions
- Precision Medicine Pathway: Gain insights into how digital technologies are enabling more effective therapies and accurate diagnoses
- Implementation Reality Check: Hear practical insights from a laboratory leader with hands-on digital pathology experience
Speakers:
Nathan Buchbinder, Chief Strategy Officer, Proscia
Nathan is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Proscia, where he guides the company in continuing to set the direction for the future of pathology. He sits at the intersection of the company’s customers, products, and the broader digital pathology community, overseeing strategic growth opportunities and leading Proscia’s participation in industry initiatives. Nathan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Innovation and Development from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Bilal R. Ahmad, MD, MBA, Hematopathologist, Spectrum Healthcare Partners
Dr. Bilal Ahmad, MD, MBA, FCAP is Chair of the Digital Pathology Innovation and Compliance Committee (DPICC) at Spectrum Healthcare Partners. A board-certified hematopathologist with over a decade of experience, Dr. Ahmad combines clinical expertise with business acumen, holding an MBA and a track record of operational leadership across multi-hospital systems. He has spearheaded transformative initiatives in digital pathology, including the deployment of live microscopy for intraoperative evaluation, strategic digitization of slide workflows to optimize remote staffing, and the integration of AI tools to enhance diagnostic precision. Dr. Ahmad is deeply committed to leveraging technology to expand access, improve efficiency, and bring flexibility to pathology practice. Nationally, he serves as the Maine state Chair of the House of Delegates and as a member of the Digital and Computational Pathology Committee for the College of American Pathologists, where he advocates for the profession and contributes to shaping its future.
Dr. Derek Welch, President and Chief Medical Officer, PathGroup
Dr. Derek Welch is the current President and Chief Medical Officer at PathGroup, where he has practiced since 2006. A Nashville, Tennessee native, Dr. Welch graduated as the College of Arts and Sciences valedictorian from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with degrees in Philosophy/Bioethics and Biology. He earned his medical degree in 2000 from Vanderbilt University Medical School, where he also completed his Clinical and Anatomic Pathology residency, and a clinical year as Chief Resident. Dr. Welch completed two fellowships at Vanderbilt, one in Gastrointestinal/Hepatobiliary pathology and another in General Surgical/Breast pathology. He has published in the American Journal of Surgical Pathology and other journals and has presented at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathologists annual meeting. He is a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and the Roger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society. Dr. Welch holds a General Management Certificate from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in affiliation with Pritzker Private Capital.
Brian Rubin, MD, PhD Chief of Diagnostic Institute Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute, and Taussig Cancer Center
Brian Rubin, MD, PhD, is certified by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology. He specializes in the diagnosis of diseases of bone and soft tissue and is an expert in the diagnosis of sarcomas. Dr. Rubin earned his MD from Cornell University Medical College in New York City in 1995, following his undergraduate studies at the University of California at Berkeley. He completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston in 2000. Dr. Rubin serves as Treasurer of the International Society of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology and is a Board Member of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society. He was a contributing member of the 2002 World Health Organization Working Group for the Classification of Tumours of Bone and Soft Tissue. His research interests span cancer genetics and targeted cancer therapies, with a focus on advancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment for sarcomas. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology and the College of American Pathologists.
