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The digital pathology simulator: A pan-Canadian educational project initiated by Vitalité Health Network

Monday 07 July 2025
Through digitization, glass slides on which tissues are placed are converted into digital format, making it possible to study them on a high-resolution screen using digital tools and artificial intelligence.

Vitalité Health Network, Monday, July 7, 2025 – Vitalité Health Network is proud to announce the launch of an innovative digital pathology project, a national-scale initiative aimed at training future pathologists in the use of digital tools through case studies and simulations based on the Network’s collection of digitized slides.

Digital pathology involves converting traditional glass slides into high-resolution images, enabling remote tissue and cell analysis, efficient data sharing, and the use of cutting-edge analytical tools. Despite its benefits, this technology is not yet systematically integrated into pathology residency training programs in Canada.

In collaboration with the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, this project will provide pathology residents across the country with free access to the LabSims platform, developed by Canadian company MedCockpit, allowing them to independently explore and analyze real digitized slides.

The initiative also includes the integration of artificial intelligence tools for diagnostic interpretation, to prepare residents for the technological advances that will redefine pathology practice in the years ahead.

“This is a unique project in Canada. The field of telepathology is evolving rapidly, and we are at the forefront of this transformation,” said Dr. Sylvain Mailhot, Medical Director of Laboratory Services at Vitalité Health Network and Collaborator at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute.

Two companies specializing in AI will provide free access to their technologies for participants:

  • DiaDEEP (France), which develops AI solutions to support pathologists in cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
  • AIVIS (South Korea), which designs an AI platform for advanced analysis of pathological images, capable of detecting information invisible to the naked eye and optimizing immunotherapy strategies.

2. The project was presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Pathologists, attended by pathology assistants Michèle Doiron, Kristin Schofield, and Marie Pier Doiron, along with Dr. Sylvain Mailhot, Medical Director of Laboratory Services.

The project was presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Pathologists, attended by pathology assistants Michèle Doiron, Kristin Schofield, and Marie Pier Doiron, along with Dr. Sylvain Mailhot, Medical Director of Laboratory Services.

Dr. Natalie Banville, Vice-President of Medical Affairs, adds that the Network is already a leader in digital pathology in Canada, having developed capabilities that enable remote analysis of digital slides in each of its four zones.

“Pathologists play a vital role in delivering accurate diagnoses and guiding treatment decisions. We hope this project will help train and attract new talent to this evolving discipline.”

The project is financially supported by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Merck, and AstraZeneca.

3. From left to right: Karine Ducharme (Senior Strategic Partner – Healthcare, Pfizer), Dr. Sylvain Mailhot (Medical Director of Laboratory Services, Vitalité Health Network, Collaborator at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute), Jonathan Bertin (Oncology Diagnostics Liaison, AstraZeneca), Dr. Nathalie Banville (Vice-President of Medical Affairs, Vitalité Health Network), and Maxime Dupont (Director of Technology, MedCockpit).

From left to right: Karine Ducharme (Senior Strategic Partner – Healthcare, Pfizer), Dr. Sylvain Mailhot (Medical Director of Laboratory Services, Vitalité Health Network, Collaborator at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute), Jonathan Bertin (Oncology Diagnostics Liaison, AstraZeneca), Dr. Nathalie Banville (Vice-President of Medical Affairs, Vitalité Health Network), and Maxime Dupont (Director of Technology, MedCockpit).

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