Beyond Pathology: Inspiration from Dr. Mary T. Padilla … and Her Mom

All of us likely know someone who has been affected by cancer. In fact, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. Pathologists like Dr. Mary T. Padilla study diseases like cancer and build bridges between science and medicine. Their work lays a foundation for every aspect of patient care, from testing to treatment to using new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to diagnose and prevent disease.

Mary, who now serves as executive director of translational pathology and head of CBDx laboratory operations at Seagen, is one of my favorite pathologists. We met back in 2014 when I was asked to lead Roche's Tissue/Diagnostics business unit (formerly Ventana Medical Systems). We've stayed in touch over the years, as Mary's career has taken her to Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Oncology and Personal Genome Diagnostics, where she held chief of staff roles.

Mary is clearly a leader in her field. She's different from most physicians and executives I know: She's confident and committed to her craft, and she's also warm and compassionate. When we met nine years ago, I immediately saw her as a kindred spirit. We formed a connection through our work in diagnostics as well as our genuine affection for our families, particularly our mothers.

Recently I've been sharing stories about my mother, Gigi, and her challenges with Alzheimer's disease. Mary has been doing the same thing. Since her mom, Nancy, was diagnosed with breast cancer a decade ago, Mary has spoken openly about her mom's journey and its impact on her work. Now Nancy is cancer free.?

To recognize #worldcancerday last month, Mary shared a post on LinkedIn to thank the people who have "worked relentlessly to develop the diagnostic tests and targeted therapies that have made my mom cancer-free, now a decade after her breast cancer diagnosis."?

February was also #blackhistorymonth, and Mary and I got back in touch when she included me in a post recognizing contemporary Black leaders.?

Now it's March, and we're celebrating #womenshistorymonth. In this brief Q&A, I'd like to introduce you to Mary and her important work.

Rod: Can you describe digital diagnostics and digital pathology in a nutshell?

Mary: Digital diagnostics and digital pathology use digital information, images, and AI to assist with the assessment of medical information. This can span from the comprehensive collation of apparently disparate healthcare data into meaningful diagnostic algorithms to the application of AI to the analysis of complex multiplexed assays on diagnostic tissue sections.?

Rod: How are technology, AI, and quantum computing changing cancer diagnosis and treatment?

Mary: While AI has been used in the radiology field for decades, its use in other areas of medicine and science is emerging. Clinical veterinary pathology and clinical human pathology have embraced digital pathology, with pathologists reading digital images on a monitor rather than glass slides under a microscope.?

My friend, former colleague, and practicing clinical pathologist Amy Baruch recently posted on LinkedIn: "Artificial intelligence applied to digital pathology images has great potential to increase our diagnostic accuracy as pathologists and better match patients with potentially beneficial therapies."?

Such solutions could help alleviate pathologist shortages in both veterinary and human medicine. Potential applications of technology, AI, and quantum computing in the setting of pharmaceutical and diagnostics research and development are limitless and can help bring new therapies and diagnostic tests to market faster and more efficiently.?

Rod: What makes digital pathology so fascinating?

Mary: It's an incredibly powerful tool that can lead to higher-quality data and greater efficiency. Particularly in the setting of biomarker analysis, there's incredible potential to use these tools to analyze extremely complex data and interactions in a way that frees up physicians and scientists to focus on other critical aspects of their work.?

Rod: Why should people know and care about digital pathology?

Mary: Well, like all technology before it, it's coming whether we're ready for it or not. It's best to be aware of the potential applications so that we can put these new tools to good use for the betterment of science and medicine as soon as possible.?

Rod: You've often talked about your mom's cancer. How is she doing? How did your work help with her treatment and care?

Mary: Thanks for asking! My mom, Nancy, is a decade out from her breast cancer diagnosis and has not had a recurrence. Unfortunately, she suffers from a chronic, and severe lung condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as heart failure, and has some pretty big challenges around those. Despite that, she's always optimistic and lives her best life.?

I had the unique experience of working with my colleagues on the diagnostic test used to evaluate her breast cancer, which led to her treatment with a directed therapy. When I saw the test we had developed listed on her pathology report, it was a light-bulb moment that made me realize what we do really does matter. I'm forever grateful for the work my diagnostic and pharma colleagues do.?

Rod: It's Women's History Month! What is it like being a woman in this field? Are you one of many??

Mary: It's great to be a woman in this field! Pathology actually does have many women. In business, perhaps less so, particularly at the highest levels, but things are improving. I've been extremely fortunate to have many great women and men supporting and championing my development and career.?

Rod: Do you have any advice to share with other women??

Mary: Work with mentors and coaches. I have a solid group of three people – one is a former boss, and two are former colleagues – whom I regularly reach out to for mentoring and advice. They ask questions and give me perspectives that I couldn't arrive at on my own, and they help me navigate business and my career. They've taught me everything from how to negotiate better to how to weigh and quickly resolve complex business challenges and relationships. They're honest with me and will tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. They never give me the answers, but they help me arrive at them on my own. Most importantly, they believe in me and support me, even when I have doubts.

My career path hasn't been linear or conventional. First, I left clinical practice for an industry career at a time when not many pathologists were in the industry. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, and I worried that I would be ruining my career. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. It was the best career decision I've ever made. Ironically, I've been able to have a much broader impact on the practice of medicine and patient care, working beyond traditional pathology practice in the diagnostics and pharma industries.?

I've found my own path and haven't been afraid to "color outside the lines" when it comes to my career development. I've definitely ventured out professionally beyond my training and area of expertise to try new things. I accepted a long-term customer-facing assignment based in Barcelona, Spain, even though I'd never even been there. I took a chief of staff role in pharma – the first time, my role wasn't tied to pathology. Any time I've said "yes" to a unique opportunity, it has taken me somewhere great, expanded my skills, and enabled me to work with world-class people.?

Rod: What's your hope for the future of cancer diagnosis?

Mary: My hope is for improved cancer prevention, earlier diagnosis, and better therapies. We need to get to a point where cancer can be treated long-term as a chronic condition and eventually to a point where we can knock it out completely.?

Rod: Anything personal to share?

Mary: I've lived all over with my husband, kids, dogs, and horses: Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago; Richmond, Virginia; the San Francisco Bay Area; Baltimore; Boston and Barcelona. Right now, I live in the Pacific Northwest. I enjoy the beauty here. I love to live in and travel to new places.?

I've been an avid equestrienne my whole life. I got my love of horses from my mom and from my dad's Mexican ranching family. I spend all of my free time with my family, at the stable, riding and caring for my horses, and writing.?

Happy Women's History Month, everyone! Keep learning from Mary: Follow her on LinkedIn.