Versant Diagnostics Expands National Footprint with Strategic Partnership in Georgia, Strengthening Digital Pathology Access
Versant Diagnostics (Versant), a pioneering independent physician services company specializing in digital anatomic pathology, has announced a landmark strategic partnership with SouthEastern Pathology, a respected, College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited pathology practice based in Rome, Georgia. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Versant’s ambitious national growth strategy, extending its advanced digital pathology network into Georgia and neighboring states while reinforcing its mission to transform diagnostic precision, accessibility, and patient outcomes across the United States.
The partnership ensures continuity of care for SouthEastern Pathology’s longstanding patient and provider base while ushering in a new era of digital innovation. SouthEastern Pathology’s leadership—President Frederick K. Swiger Jr., M.D., and his partner Christopher Kligora, M.D.—along with the practice’s team of experienced, board-certified pathologists, will remain in their current clinical and operational roles. Their deep-rooted commitment to clinical excellence, combined with Versant’s cutting-edge infrastructure and digital capabilities, creates a powerful synergy poised to elevate standards of care throughout the Southeast.
“Expanding into Georgia is a key milestone in our mission to make high-quality, digitally enabled pathology services more accessible,” said Jim Billington, Chief Executive Officer of Versant Diagnostics. “For more than 50 years, SouthEastern Pathology has been a trusted partner to hospitals, physicians, and patients, consistently demonstrating an unwavering commitment to high-quality clinical outcomes. We’re proud to welcome Dr. Swiger, Dr. Kligora, and their exceptional team into the Versant family and to support their transition to a fully integrated digital pathology platform—one that enhances diagnostic accuracy, operational efficiency, and, most importantly, patient care.”
A Vision for the Future of Pathology
Versant Diagnostics was founded on the belief that digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity in modern pathology. The company provides its national network of multi-specialty pathologists with state-of-the-art infrastructure, robust digital tools, and comprehensive support resources designed to optimize diagnostic workflows and improve clinical outcomes. This includes seamless integration of whole-slide imaging (WSI), cloud-based case management, AI-assisted diagnostics, and real-time collaboration platforms that enable pathologists to consult with subspecialty experts regardless of geographic location.
The successful implementation of digital pathology is increasingly recognized as essential for effective cancer diagnosis, timely treatment decisions, and equitable access to high-quality care—particularly in underserved or rural communities. By digitizing the diagnostic process, Versant enables faster turnaround times, reduces diagnostic variability, and facilitates second opinions and multidisciplinary tumor board reviews with unprecedented ease.
Versant’s areas of subspecialty expertise are comprehensive and include Breast Pathology, Dermatopathology, Gastrointestinal Pathology, General Surgical Pathology, Hematopathology, Renal Pathology, Urologic Pathology, and Women’s Health/Gynecologic Pathology. This breadth of specialization ensures that complex cases receive the nuanced, expert-level analysis they demand, directly contributing to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.
Leadership Embraces Innovation
For Dr. Swiger and Dr. Kligora, the decision to partner with Versant was driven by a shared vision for the future of their practice and the patients they serve. “Partnering with Versant gives us the infrastructure and technology needed to carry our practice into the future,” said Dr. Swiger. “Together, we can expand our capabilities, embrace digital advancements, and continue delivering the highest level of care for the next 50 years.”
Dr. Kligora echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative advantages of Versant’s national network. “We look forward to being on the advancing edge of surgical pathology,” he said. “The transition to digital will be so much smoother with Versant’s mission and experience. One of the immediate benefits will be the ability to share cases and receive valuable opinions from experts in all disciplines of surgical pathology—something that was logistically challenging in a traditional, analog environment.”
This enhanced access to subspecialty expertise is particularly impactful in regions where such resources may be limited. Through Versant’s integrated platform, a community hospital in rural Georgia can now benefit from the same level of diagnostic insight as a major academic medical center, leveling the playing field for patients across the care continuum.
Strategic Growth Aligned with National Vision
This expansion into Georgia is not an isolated move but a critical component of Versant’s broader strategic plan to become the largest digital anatomic pathology company in the United States. With this partnership, Versant’s footprint now spans seven states, significantly increasing its capacity to deliver personalized, high-value pathology services—including peer review, advanced diagnostics, continuing medical education, and comprehensive digital infrastructure support.
The company’s growth strategy is deliberately focused on aligning with high-performing, like-minded pathology groups that share a commitment to quality, innovation, and physician autonomy. SouthEastern Pathology exemplifies these values, having built a decades-long reputation for clinical excellence, community engagement, and trusted partnerships with local healthcare providers.
“SouthEastern Pathology is an extension of Versant’s strategy to unite high-performing pathologists nationwide,” said Ven Aduana, M.D., Board Chair at Versant Diagnostics. “Together, we will drive better quality, provider satisfaction, and patient outcomes. This partnership reflects our core belief that the future of pathology lies in collaboration, technology, and a relentless focus on improving the diagnostic journey for every patient.”
Transforming Diagnosis Through Technology
At the heart of Versant’s model is the conviction that digital pathology is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a paradigm shift in how diagnoses are made and shared. By replacing traditional microscopes with high-resolution digital slides viewable on secure, cloud-based platforms, pathologists gain unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and analytical power. Integrated AI tools can assist in identifying patterns, quantifying biomarkers, and flagging areas of concern, allowing human expertise to focus on complex interpretation and clinical correlation.
Moreover, digital workflows streamline administrative burdens, reduce slide loss or damage, and support robust quality assurance protocols. For teaching hospitals and residency programs, the platform also enables immersive educational experiences, fostering the next generation of pathologists trained in digital-first methodologies.
As healthcare systems nationwide face increasing pressure to improve efficiency and reduce costs without compromising quality, Versant’s model offers a compelling solution. By consolidating subspecialty expertise within a unified digital ecosystem, the company helps hospitals and clinics maintain in-house pathology services while gaining access to national resources—preserving local jobs and continuity of care while enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
A Commitment to Continuity and Community
Importantly, the partnership with SouthEastern Pathology ensures that existing relationships with local hospitals, surgeons, oncologists, and primary care providers remain intact. Patients will continue to receive care from the same trusted pathologists, now empowered with advanced tools to deliver even more precise and timely diagnoses. This balance of continuity and innovation is central to Versant’s philosophy: growth should never come at the expense of the patient-provider relationship.
Looking ahead, Versant plans to continue its strategic expansion into new markets and subspecialties, always with an eye toward improving access, equity, and excellence in diagnostic medicine. The Georgia partnership serves as both a testament to the company’s progress and a springboard for future growth.
In an era where early and accurate diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death—particularly in oncology—the work of pathologists has never been more critical. With its latest move into the Southeast, Versant Diagnostics reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every patient, regardless of zip code, benefits from the transformative power of digital pathology.
