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Pathology chair leads the way into digitization

Corona, Robert 5X7 #09

Robert Corona DO


A cancer diagnosis today starts with a pathologist peering through a microscope at a blood or tissue sample on a slide. Soon, he or she will look at computer screens rather than directly through microscopes.

In laboratories today a staining technique helps pathologists identify proteins and other substances that characterize certain disease entities. Soon, computers will zero in on even the most subjective of substances.

Pathologists today count the number of cancer cells that divide, known as mitosis. But soon, computers will track cellular mitosis. Today pathologists count the number of receptors visible on cancer cells to determine if chemotherapy drugs will work. Soon, computers will locate and count the receptors. Not only that: Computers will determine which aspects of a digital image the pathologist has looked at, or overlooked.

The transformation to what is known as “e pathology” means precision and accuracy in laboratory diagnostics like never before. Coupling molecular pathology, genomics and other “omics” with new computing and communications technologies in a field called bioinformatics will significantly impact the future of both diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. And Upstate Medical University will play an important role in shaping how some of these new digital technologies are used.

“We are on the cusp of a new way of doing things, not just here at Upstate but throughout medicine in America,” said Robert Corona DO, MBA, the new chairman of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

“We‘ll be testing some of the newer systems,” he said, explaining that the computational analytics programs that will facilitate the move of pathology into the digital age require approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

That means research conducted at Upstate will essentially compare a human pathologist using a microscope with a human pathologist using a computer and digital images. Corona said it‘s important to remember that the computer does not replace the pathologist. “Rather, it is a decision support tool.”

He expects to have some studies underway by fall, though it is too soon to share specifics. For now, he says the FDA permits the use of digital tools for education and some consultations.

Patients are likely to appreciate the upgrades in clinical pathology because their images will be easily shared among health professionals. A pathologist will be able to view images and confer about particular patients, in real time, with the radiologist, surgeon, oncologist and, if necessary, other pathologists.

Looking further into the future, Corona says the experts at Upstate will be able to analyze blood and tissue samples from patients from anywhere in Central New York, without requiring patients to travel or samples to be shipped to Syracuse. Indeed, pathologists in America will be able to consult with their medical peers across the globe.

This all makes for an exciting time to be a pathologist.

Corona, who founded Upstate‘s Telemedicine Program in 1995 and then was Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical and Scientific Affairs at Welch Allyn Inc., returned to Upstate May 1 to lead the Department of Pathology. He is the John B. Henry Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is a neuropathologist and leader in bioinformatics who has lectured widely on issues related to the interface of technology and advances in medicine.

Earlier in his career at Upstate, Corona received Best Teacher of the Year honors and the President‘s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

His doctor of osteopathic medicine degree is from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He performed an internship at Southeastern Medical Center in Miami and then trained at Upstate in neurology, anatomic pathology and neuropathology under George Collins MD. He completed additional fellowships in neuropathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Corona is board certified in anatomic pathology, neuropathology and medical management and has been certified as a physician executive by the American College of Physician Executives.

Listen to a radio interview with Dr. Corona on Health Link on Air

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