The Digital Pathology Association (DPA) was founded in 2009. When founded the DPA’s goals included supporting digital pathology education initiatives, defining best practices, influencing standards and interfaces, organizing an annual conference that addresses diverse needs within the industry, and more. The DPA continues to work towards these goals. The DPA is a nonprofit organization comprised of pathologists, scientists, technologists and industry representatives dedicated to advancing the field of digital pathology.Ā The organizationās mission is to facilitate awareness, education and adoption of digital pathology and AI applications in healthcare and life sciences.Ā Members are encouraged to share best practices and promote the use of the technology among colleagues in order to demonstrate efficiencies, share knowledge and its ultimate benefits to patient care.
The DPA represents a collaboration between healthcare professionals and industry leaders. Currently, the DPA has over 3,000 members consisting of pathologists, scientists, technologists and industry representatives. For many years, the DPA has worked with the FDA to help secure clearances for whole slide imaging equipment, thus, creating a more productive workplace for pathologists and healthcare institutions as well as enhancing patient care. The DPA continues to look towards the future for the needs of pathologists and are active in creating standards and interoperability for the users and producers of this technology.
Digital pathology is now being recognized as a proven and essential technology. It provides additional tools that can provide a faster, higher quality and more accurate diagnoses that are crucial to achieve the class of results demanded by patients and physicians. The DPAās committees and taskforces are dedicated to enhancing the field. The Associationās focus is on exploring digital pathology applications, education and best practices, collaborating with the FDA on equipment approvals and addressing technology regulations.
