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What makes digital pathology feel so hard to enter, even for smart people already working around it?

In this special USCAP conversation, Stephanie Fullerton from Hamamatsu turns the tables and interviews me about Digital Pathology 101 — the book I wrote for people who are starting or continuing their digital pathology journey.

We talk about why the book is not meant to be an exhaustive manual, but a practical framework. A way to help people see the full picture, ask better questions, and understand how the pieces of digital pathology fit together. 

One of the biggest themes in this conversation is that digital pathology is a team effort. It is not just pathology. It involves scanners, software, image analysis, engineers, vendors, and people who often do not speak the same professional language. 

That matters because sometimes getting the right answer starts with asking the right question.  

We also talk about the challenge of translating expert knowledge into beginner-friendly language, why vendors often become guides as labs go through digital transformation, and why I think a shared vocabulary can make implementations smoother and more collaborative. Toward the end, we shift into the fun side of USCAP: signed book giveaways, stickers, pins, and ways to make connections at the conference.  

Topics discussed

• [00:03] Why Stephanie interviewed me this time, and the idea behind Digital Pathology 101
• [01:07] What the book is actually for: a framework, not a one-size-fits-all manual 
• [04:07] The hardest part of writing for beginners without talking down to them 
• [06:26] Why digital pathology implementation feels like a mountain, and how to lower the barrier 
• [08:15] Why a shared vocabulary matters in digital pathology teams 
• [09:44] Translating between pathologists, engineers, vendors, and marketing 
• [11:26] Why vendors and partners often become guides during digital transformation 
• [12:33] Who the book is for, including students and early-career professionals 
• [13:33] Book signing, giveaways, and where to find me at USCAP 
• [19:05] Stickers, pins, and why small things can help start real conversations at conferences  

Resources mentioned

• Digital Pathology 101
• Hamamatsu Booth 312 at #USCAP2026 in San Antonio, Texas 
•  My histology and microscopy videos on YouTube 

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