Mihai Stoicea

Credo: Semper fortis semper fidelis, non desistas non exieris

Sunt un amalgam de atomi si cuante inzestrat cu abilitatea de a observa, analiza, experimenta, replica, imagina si, uneori, de a crea. Serios cand este cazul, destul de jovial, ocazional sarcastic, am curajul de a cotrobai in profunzimea microscopica a materiei vii dintr-un invizibil cotlon al Universului. Am ales medicina ca profesie, a fost prima optiune; a doua era arheologia. Patologia a fost a doua optiune, dupa ce am gasit intelepciunea de a renunta la neurochirurgie. Cu alte cuvinte, patologia a fost prima optiune inteleapta.

In 2009 am facut primii pasi in patologie moleculara. Alaturi de doua doamne minunate, am reusit sa parcurg diverse etape, de la standardizarea extractiei de material genetic din parafina, pana la setarea unei reactii PCR si la interpretarea rezultatelor. Mult peste cerintele curriculare, dar suficient pentru a putea intelege si contribui la optimizarea unui diagnostic molecular, la scheme de control extern si, mai tarziu, la setarea unui laborator de patologie moleculara.

Pe cat de fascinant gasesc acest domeniu, nu mi-a placut niciodata microscopul. Niciodata. In 2012 am acceptat provocarea unui om minunat de a seta un laborator de patologie complet automatizat; a fost si anul primului contact cu examinarea digitala si interpretarea AI asistata. In acel an mi-am setat prima provocare: autonomizarea digitala. Am reusit sa o duc la capat, in 2017, pentru 100 de patologi din 8 laboratoare din 5 tari, parte din aceeasi retea medicala internationala. A fost a doua cea mai mare autonomizare digitala din lume. Un proiect frumos, ingropat ulterior din lipsa de viziune manageriala. Sa ma fi oprit aici? Nu eu. Sunt implicat in al doilea proiect de autonomizare digitala, din doua motive principale: nu suport microscopul, si cred in conectivitate. Mi-as dori sa pot, intr-o zi, sa pun umarul la urnirea unui proiect national de autonomizare digitala, si, ulterior, de conectare cu alte retele digitale externe.

Va imaginati ziua in care toti patologii din lume se vor putea conecta simultan la aceeasi platforma pentru a interactiona?

Credo: Semper fortis semper fidelis, non desistas non exieris

I am an amalgam of atoms and quanta endowed with the ability to observe, analyze, experiment, replicate, imagine, and, sometimes, create. Serious when necessary, quite jovial, occasionally sarcastic, I have the courage to delve into the microscopic depths of living matter from an invisible nook of the Universe. I chose medicine as a profession; it was my first option; the second was archaeology. Pathology was my second choice, after finding the wisdom to give up neurosurgery. In other words, pathology was the first wise choice.

In 2009, I took my first steps in molecular pathology. Alongside two wonderful ladies, I managed to go through various stages, from standardizing the extraction of genetic material from paraffin to setting up a PCR reaction and interpreting the results. Far beyond curricular requirements, but sufficient to understand and contribute to the optimization of molecular diagnosis, external control schemes, and later, to setting up a molecular pathology laboratory.

As fascinating as I find this field, I never liked the microscope. Never. In 2012, I accepted the challenge from a wonderful person to set up a fully automated pathology laboratory; it was also the year of my first contact with digital examination and AI-assisted interpretation. That year, I set my first challenge: digital autonomy. I managed to complete it in 2017, for 100 pathologists from 8 laboratories in 5 countries, part of the same international medical network. It was the second-largest digital autonomy project in the world. A beautiful project, later buried due to a lack of managerial vision. Did I stop there? Not me. I am involved in the second digital autonomy project, for two main reasons: I can't stand the microscope, and I believe in connectivity. I would like to one day contribute to the initiation of a national digital autonomy project and, subsequently, to connect with other external digital networks.

Can you imagine the day when all the pathologists in the world will be able to connect simultaneously to the same platform to interact?