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Gestalt’s COO and Chief Strategy Officer, Lisa-Jean Clifford, elected as Secretary to The Association for Pathology Informatics Governing Council

Lisa-Jean Clifford’s Affective Dedication to Advance Pathology Informatics Through Service in Key Influential Non-Profit Organizations is Commendable 

December 21, 2022 – Spokane, WA. Gestalt Diagnostics an industry-leading digital pathology solutions provider has the distinct honor to congratulate, its COO and Chief Strategy Officer, Lisa-Jean Clifford, on her election to the position of Secretary on the governing council for The Association for Pathology Informatics. 

Ms. Clifford’s ongoing commitment of her time and energy to advancing the digital pathology industry is considerable. In addition to having the privilege to serve alongside exceptional pathologists, informaticists, and leaders in healthcare she is truly dedicated to ensuring the continued collaboration and passion that will help our industry in its technological evolution of advancing patient care.

For more than 2 decades, Lisa-Jean Clifford has been a noteworthy leader in the high-tech healthcare solutions space. Her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of patients through technology can be traced back to her tenure at McKesson, IDX (now GE Healthcare) and to Psyche Systems, an LIS solution and services provider, where she served as CEO for eleven years.
Recognized as an industry expert, she actively participates in numerous boards including the Association of Pathology Informatics and MLO’s Editorial Advisory Board. She is widely published in many top laboratory publications and noteworthy news sources, such as Forbes, CAPToday, Medical Laboratory Observer, and Health Data Management. 
Lisa-Jean’s success can be attributed to her perseverance, integrity, her high-regard for ethics, and her desire to continue to learn, grow, and move technology solutions forward for healthcare. Her collaboration with industry partners, customers, colleagues, and competitors combined with her commitment to exceptional customer relationships is what distinguishes her drive to foster a win-win for the healthcare industry as a whole.

Discussing her new appointment, Clifford said, “I am incredibly proud of this organization’s collaborative work and the transformation for our industry. The continual growth of Pathology Informatics and the commitment of the API to bring key resources, critical standardization, and effective lobbying is a powerful validation of the true spirit of those in our industry who seek to partner on these initiatives for the distinct purpose of advancing healthcare.

Clifford continued, "I'm excited about the future and see meaningful opportunities to realize additional synergies and to continue to provide pathologists with high-quality, comprehensive offerings to support wide-ranging educational efforts, provide mentorship, and continuously improve laboratory information technology through the Association for Pathology Informatics."

“We are excited to celebrate Lisa-Jean’s accomplishments and provide the support and encouragement for her to continue to shape the future of our industry,” says Dan Roark, CEO of Gestalt Diagnostics.

Association for Pathology Informatics
The Mission of the Association for Pathology Informatics is to promote the field of pathology informatics as an academic and a clinical subspecialty of pathology. To learn more about API’s mission, visit www.pathologyinformatics.com.

Gestalt Diagnostics, Inc.
Gestalt Diagnostics transforms pathology through an intelligent, configurable, vendor-neutral, and AI-driven digital workflow that provides true interoperability enabling pathologists to diagnose* diseases faster and more efficiently. Our PathFlow solution is a cloud-based digital pathology enterprise platform that can easily be customized based on your specific preferences. Our platform consists of professional, education, and research modules for ease of mixing and matching the digital needs of your facility in a single solution, freeing pathologists from tedious, repetitive, and manual tasks allowing them to focus on their expertise, providing invaluable expertise where it matters most. Stay connected with Gestalt and follow Gestalt on LinkedIn and @Gestalt122 on Twitter.

*Research use only unless following CAP guidelines for LDT.

By Lisa-Jean Clifford December 30, 2024
Featured in CAP TODAY December 2024—Digital pathology in 2024—what’s the sentiment, the pace, the holdup, the worry? Five people spoke online with CAP TODAY publisher Bob McGonnagle on Oct. 9 about the state of play as the end of the year neared. “It’s an ongoing conversation and foregone conclusion that laboratories will be going digital,” said Lisa-Jean Clifford, president-elect of the Association for Pathology Informatics.
By Lisa-Jean Clifford December 30, 2024
By Lisa-Jean Clifford November 1, 2024
October 31, 2024 – Spokane, Washington and New York, New York – Gestalt, a leader in digital pathology solutions, and Paige, the leader in next-generation AI technology for pathology, are excited to announce a strategic partnership to integrate Paige’s advanced AI applications within Gestalt’s award-winning PathFlow® solution. This collaboration aims to streamline the delivery of integrated workflows, optimizing the pathologist’s experience while ensuring patient accuracy and safety by working in a single environment. Gestalt’s PathFlow is widely recognized for its robust capabilities in primary diagnosis, education, resident training, and research workflows. By incorporating Paige’s cutting-edge algorithms, the PathFlow solution will now offer an even broader range of tools to support pathologists in delivering precise and efficient diagnoses. All of Paige’s AI applications will be made available in PathFlow, enabling both current and new users to seamlessly access AI-powered diagnostic capabilities. This integration supports more efficient case reviews, accelerates diagnostic timelines, and promotes a comprehensive approach to cancer detection. Key Highlights of the Partnership: Enhanced Diagnostic Confidence: The integration of Paige’s AI applications will provide pathologists with powerful tools to improve diagnostic confidence and patient outcomes. Streamlined Workflows: The combined technologies will ensure seamless workflows, reducing the time and effort required for pathologists to reach diagnoses. Comprehensive Support: PathFlow’s expanded algorithm library will cater to a wide range of use cases, benefiting both current and future customers. Paige’s availability through PathFlow’s platform will allow easy access to Paige AI solutions for any Gestalt user. “By partnering with Paige to include their AI applications in PathFlow, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing pathologists with the best tools available,” said Lisa-Jean Clifford, COO & Chief Strategy Officer of Gestalt. “This partnership underscores our dedication to enhancing the pathologist’s experience and ensuring the highest standards of patient care.” “Leveraging Paige's AI-powered applications, PathFlow users can experience an enhanced workflow that supports efficient case review, accelerates time to diagnosis, and allows for a more comprehensive approach to cancer detection, enabling pathologists to focus on what matters most—delivering precise and actionable insights for patient care,” said Peter Hamilton, General Manager for Diagnostics at Paige. For more information about this partnership and the respective solutions, please visit Gestalt at booth #107 and Paige at booth #113 during the Pathology Visions Conference November 3-5, 2024. About Gestalt Gestalt Diagnostics transforms pathology through an intelligent, configurable, vendor-neutral, and AI-driven digital workflow that provides true interoperability enabling pathologists to diagnose* diseases faster and more efficiently. Our PathFlow solution consists of professional, education, and research modules for ease of mixing and matching the digital needs of your facility in a single solution, freeing pathologists from tedious, repetitive, and manual tasks, allowing them to focus on their expertise – providing invaluable experience where it matters most. To learn more, visit www.gestaltdiagnostics.com and follow @Gestalt on LinkedIn About Paige Paige is pushing the boundaries of AI to solve cancer’s most critical issues, revolutionizing cancer care with next-generation technology. By leveraging exclusive access to millions of digitized pathology slides, clinical reports, and genomic data, Paige gains a holistic understanding of cancer, encompassing diverse factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, and geographical regions. This comprehensive data enables Paige to create advanced AI solutions that redefine cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. With a unique, intricate understanding of tissue, Paige sets new standards in precision diagnostics, earning the distinction of being the first FDA-approved AI application in pathology. Paige has also developed the first million-slide foundation model for cancer, continuing to lead the way in uncovering novel insights and transforming them into life-changing products. For more information, visit www.paige.ai. *Research use only unless following CAP guidelines for LDT. CE-IVD certified for use in Europe.
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By Lisa-Jean Clifford September 16, 2024
September 16, 2024 – Spokane, Washington – Gestalt, a leader in AI-driven digital pathology solutions, is excited to announce its international expansion with the onboarding of its first client in Africa, DataPathology. This partnership marks a significant milestone as Gestalt continues to extend its global footprint, leveraging its innovative PathFlow digital solution with the new PathCloud platform to provide streamlined cloud-based digital access. DataPathology, a pioneering MedTech startup, operates five laboratories across Morocco and Djibouti. This collaboration aims to create a robust ecosystem that addresses two critical challenges in North Africa: the severe shortage of anatomic pathologists and the accessibility to specialized medical expertise. Addressing the Pathologist Shortage Africa faces a daunting shortage of pathologists, with an estimated ratio of 1 pathologist per 500,000 people. Given the continent’s population of approximately 1.2 billion, this translates to around 2,400 pathologists. In stark contrast, the United States boasts about 22,000 pathologists, resulting in a ratio of 1 pathologist per 15,000 people. This disparity underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge the gap in medical diagnostics and care. Enhancing Accessibility to Medical Expertise Through the integration of Gestalt’s PathCloud platform and the 3DHistech and Roches scanners, DataPathology will be able to connect its laboratories seamlessly, facilitating the rapid and accurate diagnosis of pathological samples. This technological advancement not only enhances the efficiency of diagnostic processes but also ensures that patients in remote and underserved regions have access to high-quality medical expertise. A Vision for the Future “We are excited to partner with DataPathology and bring our leading-edge technology to Africa,” said Lisa-Jean Clifford, COO & Chief Strategy Officer of Gestalt. “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and addressing critical shortages in medical expertise. Together, we aim to revolutionize the field of pathology and make a significant impact on patient care in North Africa.” DataPathology’s co-founder, Dr. Hicham El Attar, added, “Our partnership with Gestalt is a game-changer for pathology services in Morocco and Djibouti. By leveraging advanced digital pathology solutions, we can provide faster, more accurate diagnoses, ultimately improving patient outcomes and saving lives.” About DataPathology Founded in 2020, DataPathology is a MedTech startup specializing in pathology diagnostics. With a network of laboratories across Morocco and Djibouti, the company leverages artificial intelligence and digital technology to provide quick and accurate pathological diagnoses, addressing critical healthcare challenges in Africa. Gestalt Diagnostics, Inc. Gestalt Diagnostics transforms pathology through an intelligent, configurable, vendor-neutral, and AI-driven digital workflow that provides true interoperability enabling pathologists to diagnose diseases faster and more efficiently. Our PathFlow solution is a cloud-based digital pathology enterprise platform that can easily be customized based on your specific preferences. Our platform consists of professional, education, and research modules for ease of mixing and matching the digital needs of your facility in a single solution, freeing pathologists from tedious, repetitive, and manual tasks allowing them to focus on their expertise, providing invaluable expertise where it matters most. *Research use only unless following CAP guidelines for LDT. CE-IVD certified for use in Europe.
Gestalt logo
By Lisa-Jean Clifford September 10, 2024
We are pleased to announce the election of Brian Napora from Gestalt and Dr. Mustafa Yousif from the University of Michigan as the new co-chairs. Both began their duties on June 1, 2024.
2 women in laboratory
By Lisa-Jean Clifford August 29, 2024
Featured in Medical Laboratory Observer - MLO Written By Lisa-Jean Clifford Incorporating digital pathology and AI solutions and workflows into your organization is an exciting opportunity to enhance your operational efficiency, positively impact your diagnostic accuracy, and increase the overall automation of your laboratory practice. It is essential for maintaining your competitive position in the industry with adoption of leading technology occurring at an ever-increasing rate. It is also important to understand your current technology infrastructure and workflows and to work closely with your digital pathology solution provider to ensure that you are taking full advantage of the benefits of deploying these technologies —both today and setting the foundation for further adoption of new technologies into the future. Things to consider 1. Understand your initial goals and your long-term goals. These two may be the same or very different, depending upon your adoption strategy and reasons. The most common goals for digital pathology solution adoption in the clinical setting today are: Reduce the need for transportation of glass between labs Access to geographically distributed facilities and pathologists The ability to recruit and retain pathologists Support the technical component (TC), professional component (PC), and global workflows for outreach clients Instant access to consultations for subspecialties and/or complex cases Tumor boards The ability to use artificial intelligence When considering the above, you may have one or more initial reasons or objectives in adoption with the understanding that you would like to achieve more of these goals, or additional ones, moving forward. 2. The implementation of digital pathology needs to be an organizational goal and not just one of the lab’s. The process starts with the technical side of the workflow — from the understanding of what the scanner(s) you choose to deploy require for ‘clean’ slides. This is something that can have a significant impact on the usability, speed, and value of digital. You must start with proper identification of your lab process for creating slides and know that things like misaligned slipcovers, smudges, fingerprints, substances on the glass, folds in tissue, bubbles, and other artifacts are going to cause scanned images (WSI’s) to be unusable. This will create inefficiencies and increased time by having to redo and rescan slides in order to get usable images to the pathologists. This is the first step in quality in, quality out.... Read More
By Lisa-Jean Clifford July 2, 2024
By Lisa-Jean Clifford June 26, 2024
Featured in Medical Laboratory Observer - MLO Written By Lisa-Jean Clifford Biomarkers serve as critical navigational tools, guiding physicians on their patients’ journey through the diagnosis, treatment, and management of their specific cancer. In oncology, a biomarker may be a molecule secreted by a tumor or a specific response of the of the body to the presence of cancer. It can help in identifying early-stage cancers, forecasting how aggressive a cancer might be, or predicting how well a patient will respond to treatment. Biomarkers are also used to predict or monitor cancer recurrence. Prostate cancer often begins its journey with the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. This biomarker, a protein produced by both normal and malignant prostate cells, can be elevated in the presence of prostate cancer. PSA testing has become a keystone in the early detection of prostate cancer, offering insight into the biological state of the prostate. If a person has been diagnosed with cancer, biomarker testing may show whether the cancer is more likely to grow and spread, if certain cancer treatments are likely (or unlikely) to be helpful, and whether the cancer treatment is working.1 Determining treatment: Predictive biomarkers Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, the next step involves predictive biomarkers, which help in predicting the cancer’s behavior and potential response to treatments. Genes like ER, PR, and HER2/neu, although more commonly associated with breast cancer, have parallels in prostate cancer research, where molecular markers can predict the effectiveness of therapies such as hormone treatments or chemotherapy. One of the biggest areas of research is in immunotherapy, this is a treatment that manipulates the patient’s immune system to fight cancer with drugs or modified immune T cells. In the past several years, immunotherapy has had great success in some patients with certain types of cancer, but not all patients respond to this type of treatment. I have written about this in previous articles I have done on cancer and treatments — I believe this type of treatment has great potential with further development.2 There is a significant amount of research focused on discovering biomarkers that could identify which patients are likely to respond to immunotherapy. In some types of cancer, the presence or absence of immune molecules in cancer cells has been associated with determining whether a patient will have a better or worse response to immunotherapy. Biomarkers can also be used to help physicians determine if there are clinical trials available for their patients. Some trials, called basket studies, are based on the biomarkers in tumors and/or cells instead of the primary body site of the cancer. There are other trials that are using biomarkers to match treatments based on the gene characteristics or genetic changes in the patient’s cancer. Monitoring treatment: Prognostic biomarkers ... Read More
Gestalt logo
By Lisa-Jean Clifford April 26, 2024
Gestalt’s Advisory Board guides the development of Gestalt’s digital pathology platform, PathFlow® – made by pathologists for pathologists
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By Lisa-Jean Clifford April 23, 2024
A Digital Pathology Today podcast with Lisa-Jean Clifford of Gestalt - A Fresh Start for Pathology
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