About Us >> Director’s Welcome

Welcome from
Dr. Hooman Rashidi

It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose that I welcome you to the Computational Pathology and AI Center of Excellence (CPACE). Our center stands at the forefront of a transformative era in medicine, where the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is not just an aspiration but a reality.

At CPACE, we are committed to leveraging the power of AI to advance the field of medicine, touching every corner of academic medicine—clinical care, research, innovation, and education.

Our mission is clear: “To advance the field of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine by integrating cutting-edge AI technologies in clinical practice and research while fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation and establishing robust ethical and regulatory practices that will serve as the gold standard model for other centers to emulate globally.” This mission is not merely a statement; it is a promise to the communities we serve, both locally and globally, to lead by example in the democratization of AI.

The primary goals of CPACE are ambitious yet vital. We strive to help transform medicine through cutting-edge technologies, improve early and more accurate disease detection, enhance personalized treatment plans, and ultimately improve patient care standards and outcomes. These objectives are not pursued in isolation; they are deeply intertwined with the work of every healthcare provider, researcher, and innovator within our ecosystem.

“We strive to help transform medicine through cutting-edge technologies, improve early and more accurate disease detection, enhance personalized treatment plans, and ultimately improve patient care standards and outcomes.”

To achieve these goals, CPACE is built upon a foundation of collaboration and interdisciplinary synergy. We have assembled a multi-disciplinary team of experts who bring diverse perspectives and expertise, ensuring that our solutions are not only innovative but also practical and implementable in real-world settings. By identifying and addressing realistic challenges and the right needs—such as enhancing technology and data access—we position ourselves to make a tangible impact on healthcare.

However, none of this would be possible without the critical engagement and buy-in from the end users of our innovations: the healthcare providers, our trainees and staff along with the patients and communities that we serve. We believe that education is the key to unlocking the full potential of AI in medicine. Through our innovative educational offerings and continuous learning opportunities, we aim to empower our colleagues with the knowledge and skills they need to harness AI effectively, thereby fostering a culture of acceptance and enthusiasm for these new technologies.

As we embark on this journey, we are driven by a singular vision: to set a new benchmark for what can be achieved when AI is integrated into the fabric of pathology and laboratory medicine. We are here not just to participate in the evolution of medicine but to lead it, ensuring that our work at CPACE serves as a model of excellence for others to follow.

I invite each of you to join us in this exciting endeavor. Whether you are a researcher, clinician, educator, or partner, your contributions are vital to our shared success. Together, we will push the boundaries of what is possible in medicine, making a lasting difference in the lives of patients and communities around the world.

Thank you for being a part of CPACE, and welcome to a future where AI and medicine converge for the betterment of all.

Sincerely,

Hooman Henry Rashidi, MD, MS, FCAP
Executive Director, Computational Pathology and AI Center of Excellence (CPACE)
Associate Dean of AI in Medicine
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine