Pathology laboratories are critical components of the healthcare system, providing diagnostic services that guide patient care decisions and contribute to medical advancements. This essay delves into some of Virginia?s top pathology labs, highlighting their specialties and technological advancements.
Whether for board review or quick reference in clinical practice, this comprehensive review delivers precisely the information you need.
1. Sentara Healthcare
Founded in 1888, Sentara is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 2.8 million commercial, Medicare and Medicaid patients across Virginia and Northeast North Carolina through 12 hospitals, healthcare clinics, outpatient campuses, imaging centers, nursing and assisted-living communities, and health coverage plans. Sentara is also dedicated to its mission of improving health every day by focusing on social determinants of health.
In 2016, the system implemented Epic’s electronic health record (EHR) to bring its facilities onto a single platform, helping them share information more quickly and efficiently. This move was critical to lowering costs, since the system was no longer paying to support multiple applications and operating systems.
The company has an impressive employee satisfaction rating of 3.9 stars out of 5, with a score of 3.5 for Company Culture and 3.4 for Rewards You Receive. Sentara pays its employees fairly, with an average salary of $40,000. See more salary info for specific jobs here. Employees give the company an overall positive review, and the operations department has especially strong ratings. The company needs to work on providing more training opportunities, and the administration department could improve its communication with staff.
2. Inova Health System
Located in northern Virginia, Inova Health System is a nationally recognized healthcare facility known for its innovative medical technologies and advanced diagnostic services. With a focus on personalized medicine, the organization is at the forefront of developing and implementing new procedures that will transform how patients receive care.
The facility offers a wide range of pathology services, including anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, molecular diagnostics, and specialized testing. Its laboratories use state-of-the-art equipment and a team of highly trained professionals to ensure accurate diagnoses. The company also conducts research and collaborates with other organizations to develop new treatment options.
In addition to its pathology services, the company operates a number of other facilities, including an academic medical center. Its research and education services include the inova translational medicine institute, which focuses on the development of personalized medicine. Additionally, the inova research center hosts numerous clinical trials and translational studies. The facility is a Magnet hospital, an international recognition that demands high levels of professionalism and quality patient care. Moreover, Inova Health System is financially sound and has a broad market presence, which makes it an attractive target for investors seeking premium healthcare products and services.
3. Bon Secours Mercy Health
Bon Secours Mercy Health is an integrated Catholic health ministry offering compassionate, high-quality patient care and service to communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, New York, Virginia, and Ireland through hospitals, physician practices and clinical care sites. The health system provides a strong value-based approach to care, focused on delivering services that are of greatest value to consumers and providers while providing measurable quality outcomes.
The health system has received a number of accolades and recognitions for its innovative healthcare delivery, medical research, and outstanding patient care, including being named a Best Place to Work by Press Ganey. Bon Secours has also been recognized for its commitment to community outreach and engagement.
Employees are encouraged to take advantage of a wide variety of professional development programs offered by the health system, including fully-funded online healthcare badges like Introduction to Healthcare and Health Terminology. In addition, all employees receive a tuition reduction on courses through Mercy College, which is located at Bon Secours Mercy Health in Richmond, VA.
4. University of Virginia (UVA) Health System
The University of Virginia (UVA) Health System is a world-renowned medical center. In addition to delivering healthcare services, the facility conducts research to drive medical advancements and improve patient outcomes. Located in Charlottesville, UVA provides patients with comprehensive and accurate diagnostics through its specialized pathology labs. Its anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, cytopathology, and molecular diagnostics labs use advanced technologies to offer a variety of testing services.
UVA also supports local communities through its outreach programs, including the creation of lab schools. These schools, which operate like charter schools and develop their own curriculums, connect higher education institutions and students with local employers.
In addition to their outstanding healthcare services, UVA’s pathologists and lab professionals are dedicated to advancing patient care and the community. For example, Tracy Downs, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity & Community Engagement Officer at UVA Health, earned a spot on Becker’s Hospital Review?s coveted list of Black Healthcare Leaders to Know.
5. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System
The MCV Health System is comprised of the hospitals (MCV Hospitals, MCV Physicians, Community Memorial Hospital, Stony Point Clinics and Virginia Treatment Center for Children) on the VCU Medical Center campus along with five on-campus health science schools: Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. Together, the hospitals and the schools are charged with fulfilling VCU’s core missions of education, research and patient care.
The facility is well-known for its research and healthcare services, including its renowned cancer program. It also provides numerous training opportunities for future pharmacists through its residency programs, which are part of ASHP/NMS PGY1 and PGY2 Matching Programs as well as PhORCAS.
The facility recently came under scrutiny after Richmond BizSense reported that backing out of the Clay Street development cost it $80 million and counting. At a Wednesday meeting of the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission, state oversight agency, JLARC staff presented results from its monthslong review of VCU Health and recommended changes to its leadership structure, particularly the role of its president and board chair. The changes include making the university president a nonvoting member of the health system board and ineligible to serve as chair.
