Gestalt Leadership Update: Brian Napora Elected Co-Chair of DICOM Working Group 26
We’re pleased to share that Brian Napora of Gestalt has been elected co-chair of DICOM Working Group 26, serving alongside Dr. Mustafa Yousif of the University of Michigan. Their joint appointment reflects a shared commitment to advance digital pathology and strengthen the standards that let labs, hospitals, and vendors work together more effectively.
What DICOM Working Group 26 Does
DICOM Working Group 26 focuses on evolving the DICOM Standard for pathology. The group’s work centers on practical needs such as representing whole slide images and defining macros that support efficient production, storage, and exchange of medical data. The mission is straightforward: integrate pathology into the broader healthcare data ecosystem so systems interoperate reliably and workflows run smoothly across tools, sites, and teams.
Recent Work and Milestones
Over the past few years, WG-26 has helped energize the digital pathology community by convening four DICOM Digital Pathology Connectathons. These events bring multiple vendors together to test interoperability in real time, compare approaches, and demonstrate what works. The result is collaboration that turns ideas into working solutions and helps push the field forward.
Why DICOM Matters
DICOM—Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine—is the international standard for managing medical imaging data. It enables imaging systems, archives, viewers, and other tools from different manufacturers to exchange information consistently. With common standards in place, organizations can integrate equipment and platforms more easily, preserve data fidelity, and build scalable workflows that don’t depend on any single vendor.
Brian Napora, who also serves as Gestalt’s VP of AI Innovation, noted the growing momentum to adopt the DICOM standard in pathology. He emphasized an inclusive, community-driven approach and encouraged healthcare institutions and technology providers to engage, contribute, and help shape what comes next.
About Gestalt Diagnostics
Gestalt Diagnostics develops solutions that help modernize pathology. Its vendor-neutral, highly configurable, and AI-driven workflow platform is designed to improve interoperability and streamline day-to-day work. The company’s flagship product, PathFlow, supports modules for professional development, education, and research, giving institutions flexible tools to meet their specific digital pathology needs efficiently.
About DICOM WG-26
Formed in 2005, DICOM Working Group 26 advances the DICOM standard for pathology and whole slide imaging. The group is made up of volunteers from industry, clinical practice, and academia who share a practical goal: raise the bar for digital pathology through better standards and better interoperability. Work happens through regular teleconferences and participation in major international pathology meetings, where ideas are exchanged and collaborations take shape.
This collaborative spirit is core to the group’s mission, and membership is open. Anyone interested can take part—another signal of WG-26’s commitment to bringing the digital pathology community together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was elected as co-chair of DICOM Working Group 26?
Brian Napora of Gestalt and Dr. Mustafa Yousif of the University of Michigan were elected as co-chairs of DICOM Working Group 26.
What does DICOM Working Group 26 focus on?
WG-26 develops the DICOM Standard for pathology, with a focus on whole slide images and macros that support the production, storage, and communication of medical data to enable interoperable workflows.
What is the significance of DICOM in healthcare?
DICOM standardizes how medical imaging data is formatted and exchanged, ensuring that equipment and software from different vendors can interoperate across settings such as labs, hospitals, and archives.
How does Gestalt Diagnostics contribute to pathology?
Gestalt delivers a vendor-neutral, AI-driven workflow platform that improves interoperability and efficiency. Its PathFlow product supports modules for professional development, education, and research to match an institution’s specific digital pathology needs.
What events does WG-26 participate in?
WG-26 has facilitated four DICOM Digital Pathology Connectathons and also participates in major international pathology events, using these forums to test interoperability, share ideas, and advance the standard.
