A community of practice

SPN was established as a community of practice in which members could build relationships, exchange experiences and discuss shared challenges and developments in pathology. The network is intended to give early-career pathologists, who play a central role in cancer diagnosis and care, the opportunity to learn from one another and contribute their perspectives. Membership is by invitation and designed to encourage active participation. Over the first two years, members will contribute to webinars, educational activities, thought leadership initiatives and discussions on topics relevant to pathology across Europe.

Jaap Stuut, President of Sakura Finetek Europe, said: “The future of pathology will be shaped by the people entering the profession today. Through the Sakura Pathology Network, we hope to create opportunities for early-career pathologists to connect and learn from one another. Equally important, we want to listen. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand the evolving needs of pathology laboratories, enabling us to be a better partner to the profession and, ultimately, contribute to better cancer care.”

Alessandro Caputo, Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Salerno, Italy, commented: “The Sakura Pathology Network provides a valuable opportunity to connect early-career pathologists from different healthcare systems and professional backgrounds.”

Building on earlier engagement

The initiative built on Sakura Finetek Europe’s engagement with the pathology community over recent years. Through its Tissue Diagnostics (TDx) Summits and Advisory Boards, the company had brought together pathologists and other stakeholders across Europe to discuss the challenges facing pathology and how the profession is evolving. SPN extended this approach to early-career pathologists.

As a company focused on the pre-analytical phase of tissue diagnostics, Sakura Finetek Europe sees the network as a way to understand the priorities and challenges this group encounters. The company noted that these perspectives could help inform future innovation around the needs of laboratories and the professionals working within them.

Sakura Finetek Europe, established in 1994, is the European headquarters of the global Sakura organisation and supports pathology professionals in more than 140 countries. Its heritage dates to 1887 and it is the original manufacturer of Tissue-Tek® technology, with milestones including the first fully enclosed tissue processor and the first automated embedder and microtome. Its instruments, reagents and consumables span the pathology workflow, and its SMART Automation approach is intended to reduce manual steps and variation. With Sakura worldwide, it aims to be the first company to fully automate the pre-analytical phase of anatomic pathology.

Access the Sakura Pathology Network here: https://shorturl.at/Fsr4y