CAP Review and Forecast: Informatics and Pathology Innovation 2025/2026

Dr. M. E. de Baca:
One of the other options that we have, I think probably the one that, well, definitely the one that I hope is the reality for future is that pathologists actually recognize that being the data people, we become explicitly instead of just implicitly the hub around which everything flows.

Nancy Johnson:
Welcome to a series of conversations featuring council chairs from the College of American Pathologists. They highlight the successes of 2025, look ahead to 2026, and give us a window into who they are and why they're passionate about the work they do. I'm Nancy Johnson, and I'll bring you their stories. Dr. M. E. de Baca serves on the Board of Governors and chairs the Council on Informatics and Pathology Innovation.

Dr. M. E. de Baca:
You may hear me say CIPI a couple times, that's the acronym. And if you think of the sippy cup, don't spell it that way, even though Siri will.

Nancy Johnson:
CIPI is taking a data-driven look at how the digital landscape is reshaping pathology and looking into what it means for the profession and patients. Exciting offerings in this area include the Innovation Hub at the annual meeting, as well as the digital studio that provides pathologists a place to explore AI products in a safe off-market environment.

Dr. M. E. de Baca:
This is in a space where there isn't any pressure to buy anything, and you can see if it would be something that may or may not be beneficial to the practice in your laboratory. I think this is really important because I really don't like to be guided forcefully into a purchase that could have huge implications on the way that my lab or my household or my car work. So this gives pathologists a chance to take a moment and kind of go in and close the door behind them and play for a little bit.

Nancy Johnson:
Collaboration across councils is key. For example, when it's time for public comment, CIPI partners with the Council on Government and Professional Affairs to make sure the right voices are part of the conversation around technology and health care policy.

Dr. M. E. de Baca:
We make sure that it's the subject matter experts who are actually commenting on the uh information technologies portions of those reports and then the advocacy people work around that. So, I mean, that's really hard. Always has a really short turnaround, like you know, two or three days. And so we have to find the people to do this in in really short term, and it's not only critical, but it's also very intensely detailed. And so, you know, the thing that you're doing on a Tuesday night at 11 o'clock at night because you just found out about it and it has to be back by the end of the day tomorrow. Those things have huge implications on the way health care is then moved in the policy world.

Nancy Johnson:
As new technologies emerge, Dr. de Baca understands that some pathologists fear being replaced. She also understands the lessons of history.

Dr. M. E. de Baca:
My grandfather was born in 1902 to a farming family, and he went into farming with horses, which he really loved. And by the time he finished his working days as a farmer, he was not using horses. He was using machinery. And while he said that he loved the quiet and being out with the animals, the world changed and he changed with it. So I think that the only thing that we do know is constant is change, no matter how fast and hard we fight against it.

Nancy Johnson:
From molecular testing to artificial intelligence, Dr. de Baca believes pathologists who stay current and evolve with technology are best positioned for success.

Dr. M. E. de Baca:
So do I think that pathologists who understand AI in their practice will do better than pathologists who do not? Yes, I do. I do. But I think that the pathologists who chose not to use molecular were at a disadvantage to those who did, and the ones who chose not to use immunohistochemistry were at a disadvantage to those who decided to grow in their practice again. So at CIPI, we are trying very hard to make sure that we can reach people where they are.

Nancy Johnson:
Read the full annual report to learn more and be sure to check the show notes. In the days ahead, we'll visit with other council chairs to learn about their work and what's coming up this year. For the College of American Pathologists, this is Nancy Johnson. Have a great day.