As one of the fastest-growing dermatology practices in Utah Valley, Utah Valley Dermatology has always prioritized exceptional patient care and clinical excellence. Now, celebrating 13 years of service and 12 consecutive “Best of Utah Valley” awards, the practice is looking toward the future.
Rather than waiting to adopt digital pathology until it was sorely needed, Utah Valley Dermatology decided to proactively expand their capabilities, embrace the future, and adopt a system that enhances their diagnostic efficiency, speed, and collaboration.
In this Q&A, discover how they executed this strategic shift to an advanced digital pathology system, learn about the benefits they’ve already experienced, and find out how they’re moving beyond the microscope to innovate for tomorrow.
What sets Utah Valley Dermatology apart in the community?
Utah Valley Dermatology has been serving our community for 13 years and has grown significantly since its founding by Dr. David Myers. We now have three locations with 11 providers and over 70 staff members. We treat patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, offering comprehensive general dermatology services, including in-house pathology and Mohs surgery. Our practice is built around a unique blend of medical expertise, surgical precision, and patient-centered access—all delivered in an efficient outpatient setting.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to providing timely, comprehensive care under one roof. We offer same-day biopsies and in-house dermatopathology, which speeds up the diagnostic process. Our clinic is focused on timely access, clear communication, and compassionate care to ensure a seamless experience for every patient.
Why did your practice consider adopting digital pathology?
In our case, digital pathology adoption was a strategic decision. Our previous diagnostic process was working well, and we weren’t facing major challenges or inefficiencies. But, as our practice grew, we recognized that relying solely on traditional glass slides would limit our ability to grow, collaborate, and innovate. We asked ourselves how we could make our pathology process more scalable, collaborative, and adaptable to the future of medicine.
The idea of being able to review slides remotely, consult with colleagues in real time, and eliminate the physical limitations of traditional microscopy was incredibly appealing. We saw it as an opportunity to enhance how we deliver care at the diagnostic level. Our goal was to improve speed without compromising accuracy, give our dermatopathologists tools to be even more efficient, and provide our clinical team with faster access to results. For us, it was about expanding our capabilities and future-proofing the practice, rather than fixing something that was broken.
What were the goals you were looking to achieve by going digital?
We had three main goals associated with switching to digital pathology. The first was to enhance speed and efficiency while maintaining accuracy. By digitizing slides, we streamlined the workflow for our dermatopathologists, reduced time-to-diagnosis, and eliminated the need to transport or physically handle glass slides for review.
Another key goal was long-term scalability. As our clinic expands, we need systems that grow with us. Digital pathology allows for high-volume slide handling, secure archiving, and easier compliance without the physical and logistical burden of managing thousands of slides.
Ultimately, it comes back to patient care. The faster and more precisely we can deliver results, the better our patient outcomes can be. Digital pathology lets us close that loop more efficiently, making sure our patients get the answers and treatment they need sooner.
What was your process for choosing a digital pathology solution?
Our decision-making process was strategic and experience-driven. We evaluated several digital pathology companies, comparing image quality, workflow integration, cost, and long-term scalability.
One key driver was that we had previously used a digital pathology solution where image quality was subpar. The experience was frustrating for our dermatopathologist and began to impact workflow and diagnostic confidence. We knew that we had to take a more thorough approach during this search.
We also looked closely at the total cost. We considered not just the initial investment, but also long-term support, storage, and potential ROI.
Most importantly, we involved our dermatopathologist at every step to make sure the system we chose would truly support efficient, high-quality diagnostics. In the end, we selected a platform that met our clinical needs, aligned with our growth goals, and delivered the image clarity and reliability we were missing before.
Can you walk us through the implementation process? What were some wins and unexpected hurdles?
The implementation was surprisingly smooth, largely because the Lumea team was so exceptional. They were consistently available and incredibly patient throughout the entire process, which made the learning curve manageable for our dermatopathologists, even with the differences from our previous system.
A big win for us was immediately seeing the dramatic upgrade in image quality; it was a dramatic upgrade from what we had before. The clarity, sharpness, and overall resolution made a significant difference in diagnostic confidence and efficiency.
As for hurdles, the main challenge was the initial adjustment to a new workflow and software. Shifting from reviewing glass slides to navigating digital cases required our dermatopathologists to recalibrate how they navigated cases. We also navigated a short learning curve for accessing and processing cases digitally. We overcame those issues with a combination of our team’s flexibility and Lumea’s strong support. They were quick to answer questions, provide hands-on troubleshooting, and adjust the system based on our feedback, making the transition as seamless as possible.
What benefits have you seen since adopting digital pathology, and how has it improved your ability to deliver care?
We’ve seen a number of practical, meaningful improvements since making the switch. For our patients, the biggest benefit has been faster turnaround times. We can get pathology results back more quickly, which allows us to make treatment decisions sooner, especially for urgent cases like melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma. This directly benefits patient outcomes by making treatment plans sooner and moving them forward without unnecessary delays.
For our dermatopathologists, the improved image quality and remote access have made reading cases more efficient and flexible. It’s easier to stay on top of the workload, even when working remotely or reviewing cases after hours.
It’s also made operations and our internal workflow much more streamlined. The ability to access everything digitally has eliminated the risks associated with managing physical slides, such as breakage or misplacement. And, because everything is digitally available, we save time and avoid delays. Communication with our dermatopathologist, especially for second opinion consultations, has become much more efficient.
Overall, the digital workflow has improved our communication, increased our efficiency, and better positioned us to manage our growing case volume.
How do you see digital technology shaping the future of your practice?
Digital pathology is setting the foundation for how we grow. It helps us manage increasing volume without slowing down, and it improves collaboration, especially for second opinions and high-risk skin cancers, where timing matters. Looking ahead, we see potential for AI-assisted diagnostics and better integration with other systems, and we see digital tools enhancing our expertise. They’re helping us deliver faster, smarter, and more connected care.
What advice would you give to other dermatology practices considering going digital?
Start with a clear understanding of what you want to improve, whether it’s turnaround time, diagnostic accuracy, or workflow efficiency, and involve your dermatopathologist from the beginning. Their feedback is critical to choosing the right system. Also, don’t rush the decision. Look at multiple vendors, test image quality thoroughly, and consider long-term support and scalability, not just the upfront cost. We learned the hard way with a previous system that didn’t meet our quality standards, and it slowed us down.
Most importantly, partner with a company that will support you through the transition. For us, Lumea was incredibly responsive and patient, which made a big difference. There’s always a learning curve, but with the right tools and support, digital pathology can significantly improve how you deliver care.
As Utah Valley Dermatology discovered, the right platform makes all the difference in diagnostic confidence. Experience the clarity, sharpness, and intuitive workflow of Lumea’s best-in-class digital pathology viewer. Fill out our request information form today to book a call with a Lumea rep and see how our digital diagnostic solutions can benefit your practice.
