New Feldkirch pathology chief says AI will not replace experts
Wednesday 14th October 2026 on 16:30 in
Austria
Monika Hämmerle, who took over the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Molecular Pathology at Feldkirch Hospital on October 1, says artificial intelligence can support and speed up diagnosis but will not replace pathologists. She outlined her priorities and the work of the department in an interview with ORF Vorarlberg.
The institute has 93 employees, including 16 doctors, and serves medical practices and hospitals across Vorarlberg. Autopsies make up only a small part of its work, Hämmerle said. Most of the department’s work involves examining tissue samples from living patients, including samples with signs of inflammation or tumours.
Its services range from examining tissue under a microscope to microbiological, infection-related serological and molecular diagnostics. Molecular testing is particularly important in tumour diagnosis, Hämmerle said, because it can help provide the basis for targeted, personalised treatment.
Samples are taken at a medical practice or during surgery and preserved in formalin. In the laboratory, they are embedded in paraffin, a wax-like material, then cut into very thin slices and stained for examination under a microscope. Further tests are often needed to reach a specific diagnosis.
Hämmerle said reliable, quality-assured diagnoses are essential because they can influence treatment decisions. She said AI tools are already being used at the institute and can make diagnostic work faster, but pathologists’ expertise will continue to be needed.
Born in Lustenau, Hämmerle most recently worked as a professor of experimental pathology in Halle, Germany, and conducted research at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She said returning to Vorarlberg brought her closer to family and offered a strong professional opportunity. She also wants to share her experience with younger colleagues and encourage them to pursue research.
She highlighted both basic research, which can inform future treatments, and translational research, which connects laboratory findings with patient care. Hämmerle described the Feldkirch institute as modern, attractive and well equipped.