From the Pathology Lab to the C-Suite

If you do any work in a gross room, it has probably come to your attention that there are some very exciting things happening in the field of macroscopic specimen imaging.

Here at The Pathologist, we love to meet the people driving such game-changing innovations. Hence, we jumped at the chance to talk with John Manuel, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Pathology at Cision Vision, who is spearheading the global adoption of the InVision optical imaging device.

Manuel’s extensive experience in both pathology and business has left him perfectly placed for strategic commercial leadership in innovative pathology technologies. Here, he reveals his fascinating career story, and what innovation and leadership mean to him.

What’s your professional background? And how did that lead to your current role?
 

That’s a unique story – I’m an on-the-job-trained pathologists’ assistant (PA). At 20 years of age, I trained for triathlons with a pathologist who introduced me to grossing and later became a mentor. By the time I took the PA (ASCP) certification exam, we estimated I had grossed well over 100,000 specimens – a foundation for which I remain deeply grateful. 

Over the next several years I worked at the bench, as faculty, and in management roles across multidisciplinary community hospitals, academic medical centers, military treatment facilities, and Veterans Administration hospitals.

Driven by a desire for change, I completed accounting and business courses, leveraging this knowledge alongside my management experience to drive growth and lead operations at a business consulting firm. 

Eventually, I transitioned to biotech, where my pathology and business backgrounds aligned perfectly. While I loved biotech’s innovation, I missed my roots in pathology and the direct impact on patient care.

Today, I’m privileged to lead the commercial efforts at Cision Vision as Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Cision Pathology. This combined role coalesces my experiences, enabling me to advance transformative technologies for the macroscopic examination process, making a meaningful impact on patient care.

What have been some of your career highlights?
 

There are four that stand out. The first was working alongside US Army pathologists, residents, and technical staff, where I gained invaluable lessons in leadership, collaboration, and teamwork. 

Serving as a mentor is the second one. It is rewarding to help individuals transition into unconventional roles for PAs and support them as they advance in their careers. 

I gained invaluable insights from leading business development and operations at a consulting firm, which is my third highlight. That taught me how to develop creative and data-driven strategies to improve business performance and drive success. 

Finally, there’s my current role at Cision Vision, where I’m helping lead the global adoption of life-changing real-time technology for dissection experts, worldwide. I’m fortunate that every member of our team excels at what they do, and collaborating with them is a highlight in itself.

How do you describe Cision Vision’s contribution to pathology imaging to those unfamiliar with the technology?
 

In surgical pathology imaging, we have changed the game in terms of identifying lymph nodes. Our technology helps to maximize lymph node yields by enabling a more comprehensive examination of specimens, which can lead to more accurate staging of patients. In comparison to many traditional methods, which require revisiting specimens or overnight chemical treatments, our system can drastically reduce turnaround time, allowing patients to receive their results sooner. Additionally, our technology avoids the requirement for any toxic chemicals to identify lymph nodes.

At Cision Vision, we believe our solution will be a global standard of care in healthcare systems. There has not been a single location across the globe where our technology hasn’t resulted in improving a user’s ability to identify more lymph nodes. 

As a leader at a company that must innovate to succeed, how do you maintain momentum?
 

Firstly, we prioritize understanding our community of users, which is fundamental to driving continuous innovation. Whether at conferences, events, or trade shows, we actively engage with pathologists, PAs, and other pathology professionals. These relationships are built on trust and a shared appreciation of each other's work. We maintain open, ongoing communication to ensure our innovations are in line with their needs and help them improve patient care.

Additionally, our team of experts collaborates relentlessly. We stay connected around the clock through calls, emails, texts, and online messaging, spanning seven time zones. Whether tackling technical challenges or ensuring top-tier customer service, we are united by one mission: to elevate patient care.

Lastly, I hold a lesson from my late mentor close to heart: "It’s always, always, always about the patient." Though this advice originated in the clinical space, it resonates just as powerfully in the development of life-changing technologies. We consistently remind ourselves how our work directly benefits patients, which fuels our focus and motivation as we drive innovation forward. 

What trends are driving innovation within CisionVision?
 

The demand for more precise and effective imaging to enhance our ability to work with specimens is a key driver. Specifically, we’re focused on addressing the question: “What are we doing about overlooked lymph nodes that could upstage a patient?”

The value of data-driven insights is also a key consideration. Turning previously uncollected data into actionable insights is critical in improving lymph node dissections. This emphasis on data-driven decision-making is driving innovation within our technology, and bringing to light the need for InVision.

It is also important to recognize that, as environmental consciousness grows, there’s increasing pressure for sustainable innovation. Cision Vision delivers technology that is safe for both users and patient specimens and does not require any toxic reagents to identify lymph nodes. 

Finally, we’re excited by offering personalized solutions. We know our customers very well – it’s a point of pride for us. Our deep understanding of our customer base allows us to offer highly customized solutions that seamlessly integrate into the diverse workflows of pathology labs and institutions. This resulted in the creation of VisionBoard, a cutting board integrated with InVision technology, set to be available in spring 2025.

What are the priorities for Cision Vision going forwards?
 

Our priorities are centered on providing patient-focused, real-time imaging solutions that make a profound impact. We’re committed to continually refining our technologies through close collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, and end users. By integrating insights from these partnerships, along with our ongoing research and development, we aim to create innovations that are both impactful and seamlessly integrate into existing pathology workflows. 

Maintaining open, continuous communication with end users is a cornerstone of our approach, ensuring our products evolve to meet the field’s dynamic needs while always prioritizing patient care. We also remain attuned to the evolving demands in specimen gross exams, ensuring our solutions stay relevant, innovative, and aligned with the challenges professionals face.

How would you describe your leadership style?
 

As a leader, my goal is to ensure that every team member feels equipped, informed, and confident that I’m available for support whenever needed. From there, they’re empowered to take the lead in accomplishing our goals – knowing that they are the experts in their respective domains. 

I believe experts should be listened to, not directed. It’s about surrounding ourselves with the best talent and trusting that our people will own their roles and drive them forward. My focus is on outcomes – and that requires collaboration with the team to assess progress and discuss next steps.

I also prioritize creating an environment where team members feel comfortable seeking guidance when needed. If someone hesitates to do so, it’s a reflection of my leadership, not the individual – a shortcoming I must immediately recognize and address.

Additionally, I always keep in mind some basic principles: 

• Develop your team to the point where they could work anywhere – but treat them so well that they wouldn’t want to leave.
• Have hard conversations early to prevent small issues from growing.
• Choose the hard right over the easy wrong (and make this the standard).
• Get to know your team as individuals, not just employees.
• Learn your team’s communication styles.
• Listen actively and attentively (put away your phone, minimize chat screens).
• Praise publicly, coach privately.
• Listen to understand, rather than listening to reply.

How do you maintain continued self-development as a leader?
 

I focus on three areas: mentorship, continuous learning, and physical wellness. My long-term mentors have always been important to me for guidance in clinical, business, and personal development matters, which supports my growth as a leader. 

Reading plays a key role in my development, and I aim to read one book per month. Recently, “Think Again,” by Adam Grant, has helped me cultivate a mindset focused on continuous learning by challenging assumptions and embracing adaptability – qualities essential for leadership in today’s fast-paced world. “Can't Hurt Me,” by David Goggins, reinforces the importance of mental toughness and resilience, teaching how to “welcome discomfort” and setbacks, which is crucial for overcoming leadership challenges. 

Finally, I find that engaging in a variety of strenuous physical activities (jiu-jitsu, resistance training, boxing, HIIT) enhances my focus, fosters out-of-the-box thinking, and builds mental toughness and perseverance. 

What gets you out of bed in the morning?
 

Without a doubt, it’s the mission at Cision Vision. While many companies have a mission to improve patient outcomes and advance human health, we find ourselves in a unique position. We are introducing a groundbreaking new technology that provides immediate, actionable insights, which can directly influence the course of treatment a patient may undergo. Patients and their families are following the impact of InVision, and this level of attention is one of the most powerful motivators imaginable.

In recent months, we’ve experienced a significant increase in patients reaching out directly to inquire where our technology is available. Along with patients, family members are also contacting us to inquire which healthcare systems have InVision on-site. Many of these messages include personal stories, and it’s both humbling and heartbreaking at times to read about their situations. 

Regardless of the specific type of task I may be focusing on during my day, these inquiries always give me pause. They force me to stop and reflect on the true impact of the work we are doing. This sentiment is shared by every member of our entire team, propelling us to developing powerful technologies for those who need it most.