Pathology's Transformative Role in Global Health Equity Highlighted at Global Pathology Summit in Ann Arbor

Read the original article (U-M Pathology news) — The Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan recently held its first-ever Global Pathology Summit. This important event focused on addressing global health disparities by leveraging advancements in pathology, digital technologies, and sustainable, collaborative partnerships. The summit was co-sponsored by the Center for Global Health Equity. 

Rouba Ali-Fehmi, MD, professor of pathology at the University of Michigan and a member of the center, welcomed attendees by emphasizing the critical role of global pathology in contemporary healthcare. She highlighted the transformative potential of digital pathology and emerging AI technologies, and the importance of sustainable partnerships. Her opening remarks set the tone for the summit, underscoring the necessity of collaborative efforts and interactive participation to drive meaningful changes. Lee Schroeder, MD, PhD; Ulysses Balis, MD; Kamran Mirza, PhD; and Marya Wahidi, MD —all of whom are members of the center—were also credited with making the summit possible through their diligent organizational efforts. 

Among the keynote speakers was Joseph Kolars, MD, Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director of the Center for Global Health Equity, who echoed Ali-Fehmi’s sentiments. He underscored the pivotal role of pathology in clinical care and medical education. The keynote addresses and panel discussions throughout the summit consistently highlighted the significant diagnostic service gaps in low- and middle-income countries, stressing the urgency for improved global pathology infrastructure. Speakers reinforced the importance of positioning pathology at the forefront of healthcare services and harnessing AI and data science to enhance global diagnostic capacities. 

The summit's first panel discussion, titled “What is Global Pathology and How Can It Address Health Disparities?” featured distinguished panelists including Wael Sakr, MD, dean of Wayne State University’s School of Medicine; Ghazi Zaatari, MD, chair of pathology at the American University of Beirut; Ernest Kenu, PhD, professor at the University of Ghana; and Tim Amukele, MD, PhD vice president and global laboratory medical director at ICON plc, a prominent clinical research organization. Each panelist brought their unique perspective on global pathology and strategies to combat health disparities. Key issues discussed included educational discrepancies in pathology services between regions, the establishment of international standards, the incorporation of technology to advance pathology practices, and the role of timely diagnostics and partnerships in low-resource settings. 

Patricia Garcia MD, PhD, from Cayetano Heredia University in Peru, delivered a compelling presentation on the indispensable role of diagnostics in global health. She highlighted the stark reality that nearly half of the world’s population lacks access to essential diagnostics, emphasizing that these services are fundamental for effective healthcare systems and pandemic responses. Her insights focused on overcoming infrastructure and financial barriers to improve global access to diagnostics.

Another panel discussion focused on leveraging data, AI, and digital pathology to advance global health. Panelists Omar Baba, MD; Ernest Adjei, MBChB; Ghazi Zaatari, MD; and Akbar Waljee, MD, explored the infrastructural needs for implementing AI-driven pathology solutions and shared practical experiences from various regions. They discussed the necessity of balancing technological advancements with human expertise and addressing infrastructure and policy barriers to maximize the benefits of these technologies. The conversation also touched on the importance of funding medical equipment and maintaining infrastructure in low-resource settings, the need for inclusive data sets to refine diagnostic algorithms, and ethical and legal challenges, particularly in data privacy. 

In a follow up presentation, Wael Sakr, MD, highlighted the profound impact of international exchange programs in facilitating collaboration on clinical and research fronts, thereby enhancing global epidemiological studies and medical education. 

Speakers throughout the summit repeatedly emphasized the vital role of students and early-career professionals in global health initiatives, advocating for their engagement through practical experiences and research projects to cultivate the next generation of global health leaders. 

The conference concluded with a call to action, encouraging participants to contribute further ideas and collaborate on future initiatives. The determined and collaborative spirit at the summit foreshadows impactful strides toward addressing global health disparities through pathology in the coming years. The Center for Global Health Equity is proud to have co-sponsored such an important converging event, and we remain committed to advancing global health equity through continued partnership and innovation.